Proper 25B (Mark 10:46-52) – 10/25/2009

Insider or outsider; privileged or marginalized; disciple or blind beggar: regardless of one’s position in life we are presented with a question this morning, a question that demands our response. We heard Jesus ask this question of James and John last Sunday and we hear Jesus ask this question again this morning: “What do you want me to do for you?” This question is an invitation to us for reflection and action; an invitation from Jesus for help as we travel our journey of discipleship. But how do we respond? Our reflections are informed by the stories of our lives and the lessons we have learned along the way. These reflections shape and motivate our actions, creating new stories, new lessons and new relationships.

One of my stories was created many years ago when I was a young boy and was lucky enough to travel to Disney World. I first went there shortly after it opened in the early 1970’s and have been back a few times since then. As I reflect on my visits I always have a vivid image of Cinderella’s Castle, a prominent landmark located in the middle of the Magic Kingdom Park. The castle is a constant reminder to the visitors of the much beloved story of Cinderella, the beautiful young maiden who has been mistreated and marginalized by her mean step-mother and step-sisters. Cinderella’s difficult life is full of tasks that must be completed for the benefit of her mother or sisters, while they pursue their goals of personal interest. The tension in the story builds as the King invites all the fair maidens to a grand ball with the opportunity to meet the handsome Prince. Cinderella has great hope to be included at such a wonderful party, but we soon discover that her hopes are dashed as her sisters tear apart her dress and she is pushed aside just moments before the ball begins. Ever hopeful, Cinderella’s evening is rescued by her fairy godmother, who can magically turn mice into horses and a pumpkin into a carriage. Cinderella attends the ball, meets the handsome Prince and they eventually marry and live happily ever after. For generations, this story or variations of the Cinderella story have captured our attention because the story provides us with hope that a person, regardless of the challenges imposed against them, can become successful and achieve the goals they seek. We have not only enjoyed the story of Cinderella, but we have incorporated the “Cinderella story” into our culture – with “Cinderella” teams winning national championships or describing people who have overcome great odds as wonderful “Cinderella” stories. So I wondered as I read and reflected on our Gospel lesson this past week, is Bartimaeus the “Cinderella” story of Jericho?

Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, is a blind beggar alongside the road outside the city of Jericho. Life in the 1^st century was difficult enough for able bodied men and women, but for a blind man trying to beg for a living alongside the road, life was extremely difficult and dangerous. As our lesson begins we hear Bartimaeus call out to Jesus and the gathered crowd responds against him, “many ordering him to be quiet.” (Mk 10:48a) We should not be surprised at the crowd’s reaction because the blind were considered to be cursed for some reason, as we hear in Deuteronomy, “for I the LORD your God am a jealous God, punishing children for the iniquity of parents, to the third and fourth generation of those who reject me.” (Deut 5:9b) Perhaps this is why Mark takes the time to tell us that this blind man is the son of Timaeus. Regardless of the words of Deuteronomy or the reaction from the crowd, Bartimaeus continues to call Jesus, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” (Mk 10:48b) Above the noise of the crowd and in opposition to the orders of those who would seek to quiet Bartimaeus, Jesus hears his cries and calls him. Wasting no time, Bartimaeus springs to his feet and approaches Jesus to receive the same question received by James and John, “What do you want me to do you for you?” (Mk 10:51a)

Bartimaeus, a blind beggar, a man believed to be afflicted because of his sins or perhaps the sins of his parents, stands before Jesus and hears the same question asked of James and John. I imagine the crowd might find this scene as difficult to believe as watching a pumpkin change into a beautiful carriage and yet here is Bartimaeus, standing before Jesus. Bartimaeus, who has had years to reflect on his life, is ready to respond. He answers Jesus with a humble yet powerful request, “My Teacher, let me see again. Jesus said to him, ‘Go; your faith has made you well.’ Immediately he regained his sight and followed him on the way.” (Mk 10:51b-52) Bartimaeus, the sinner, has miraculously received his sight, both physically and spiritually. Bartimaeus, the unworthy roadside beggar, has been called by Jesus to a life of discipleship. Bartimaeus now begins his new life unencumbered by his old affliction of blindness. Although our Gospel lesson does tell of the miraculous cure of the blind Bartimaeus, the story quietly and simply concludes with Bartimaeus’ commitment to follow Jesus. The story does not appear to have the fantastic finish that most “Cinderella” stories have: no happily ever after with the handsome Prince; no Super Bowl title; no promise to sit at Jesus’ right hand or his left in the glory of heaven, as requested by James and John. No, I suppose Bartimaeus’ humble request would not make the headlines of the Jericho evening news, but the power of this story is discovered not in some one-time fantastic finish, not in the cheers and approval of an excited crowd. The power of this story is discovered if we are willing to join Bartimaeus and follow Jesus on the way.

The story of Bartimaeus is found at the end of Chapter 10 of Mark’s Gospel account. The following six chapters of Mark’s Gospel account detail Jesus’ final week in Jerusalem and define the essence of Christian discipleship. Like Bartimaeus, we soon discover that we are not expected to act alone in an effort to achieve some fantastic “Cinderella” story of personal accomplishment. No, the lesson of Bartimaeus is that Jesus is with us as we travel on our journey of discipleship and is always present to us in daily prayer as we reflect upon our stories of the past and discern how we are being called into the actions of tomorrow. Jesus calls each of us to the ministry of service in God’s Kingdom, which is present in our church, in our community and in our world. We are surrounded with ministries that provide opportunities of worship, of education, of community service and much, much more. But we are asked by Jesus to be responsible disciples, to be reflective and prayerful disciples, and to be prepared to come and respond to his question, “What do you want me to do for you?”  Amen