Now you see it

We have all one, two or all three of the following. Health issues. Relationship stress. Financial woes.

We just cannot see a way forward.

In being stuck, which is not always a bad thing because a learning moment is upon us, we run to Jesus.

Our prayers to Him are specific. They also hold a commonality with these three words: Jesus help me. Proactively, we can stretch those three words to five: Jesus help me to see. We want a way out. We want a way forward. Wisely, turning to Jesus is the answer.

A joy in life is that scripture finds us. It speaks to us. We find ourselves in the stories of both the Old and New Testament. In Mark 10, for example, we meet Bartimaeus, a blind beggar. While scripture does not say exactly where he is, it’s likely he is at a city gate in Jericho. City gates in any community are the places where those in need congregate. They gather here because no system helps those who are unemployed. Hardships such as blindness keep those like Bartimaeus from earning a living.

From his usual place, Bartimaeus senses something very, very unusual. The miracle healer known as Jesus is passing on his way to Jerusalem.

Jesus is well-known at this point in the gospel. So many who were blind, deaf, or lame had been healed. At this point in His ministry, people were swarming around Him to see if this spectacle would possible heal even more. They either hoped to be made well themselves but didn’t know how to ask for it, or they simply were charged because this self-professed healer was their want-to-be present-day king who would take away all earthly pain and sorrow.

“Son of David,” Bartimaeus calls out, “have mercy on me!”

Those nearest the loudmouth try to hush him. This makes Bartimaeus shout louder. “Son of David, have mercy on me!!!”

Scripture says that Jesus, who now hears this marginalized voice, calls for him. “Tell him to come here.”

Bartimaeus throws aside his coat, jumps up, and comes to Jesus.

Scripture doesn’t say he has a nearby aide to help doing this. No one takes Bartimaeus by hand, for example. Bartimaeus walks blind to Jesus.

We do, too. We cannot see where we are going, but we come to Jesus because we want to see, or we want to see past a problem in front of us.

“What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asks.

“My Rabbi,” the blind one says, “I want to see!”

While Bartimaeus may not have sight but certainly has insight. Calling Jesus both the Son of David and a Rabbi indicate he knows the One before him isn’t just a one-shot physical healer, this Jesus is the divine One the ancient prophets foretold would come.

Jesus is fully human. Jesus is also fully divine. In being fully divine, I wonder why Jesus asks Bartimaeus the question. After all, wouldn’t Jesus (being Jesus) just know why Bartimaeus was seeking mercy? Did the blind guy really have to say to Jesus that he wanted to see?

Maybe the familiar face at the gate was somewhat okay being blind. His great plea to the healer may not have been for himself but perhaps a loved one. After all, Jarius approaches Jesus not for himself but for his daughter.

I think Jesus wanted him to say out loud that he wanted to see.

I also think Jesus gave Bartimaeus a vision far greater than the ability to see in front of him. I suggest Jesus let Bartimaeus truly see who Jesus was. In knowing who Jesus was and how Jesus was, what comes next is both obvious and empowering not only for Bartimaeus but also each of us: Bartimaeus immediately follows Jesus.

The one under economic distress doesn’t even turn back for his coat. Oh no, he’s going forward.

Jesus encourages us to go forward. He wants us to see what He wants us to see and do what He wants us to do, which is follow Him into an active ministry where mercy is not just known but shared with others who, in the moment, cannot see which way to go.