'What do you want me to do for you?’ Jesus asked him.The blind man said, ‘Rabbi, I want to see'.’ Mark 10:51
Several years ago, a television program about the Winter Olympics featured blind skiers being trained for slalom skiing. Paired with sighted skiers, the blind skiers were first taught on the flat how to make right and left turns. When that was mastered, they were taken to the slalom slope, where their sighted partners skied beside them shouting, "Left!" and "Right!" As they obeyed the commands, they were able to negotiate the course and cross the finish line, depending solely on the sighted skiers' word. It was either complete trust in the word of their guide, or total catastrophe.
That description could be a picture of the Christian life! In this world, we are in reality not physically blind about what course to take, but sometimes we are spiritually blind. And so we must rely solely on the Word of the only One who is truly spiritually sighted – Jesus Christ. Hang on I hear you say, but Jesus isn’t with us physically anymore! You are right up to a point, but he is with us through the Holy Spirit as he promised at Pentecost. Being Bible Sunday, we need reminding from time to time that His Word gives us the direction we need to finish the race set before us; because without the greatest guide book in the world to lead us and teach us, we would become like those blind skiers trying to negotiate a slalom course on our own. Too often we are blinded by what we think we see or need or what we want out of being a Christian.
The Gospel readings from the last two Sundays have set up perfectly the story we have today about blind Bartimaeus. Two weeks ago, we had the young rich man who wanted eternal life because he said he kept all the commandments; but he still wanted all his riches as well. Jesus told him that to gain eternal life, he would need to sell all his possessions and follow him. The young man could not see that he couldn’t have both; his piety, but lack of faith blinded him to what was demanded of a follower of Jesus. Then last week, we had the two disciple brothers, James and John, who thought because they had been close companions of Jesus, it entitled them to sit at his right hand and his left hand in glory. They could not see beyond their personal ambition. In both these cases, the players (if you like) were blind. Not physically, but spiritually.
In today's reading we encounter someone who was the complete opposite, he received physical sight through spiritual sight; or rather his faith, to quote the words of Jesus. And so coming back to Barti-maeus, and unlike the rich man and the two disciples, he starts by asking for forgiveness from Jesus. Perhaps he was a sinner, perhaps he was simply asking Jesus to take pity on his condition. It’s worth remembering that in those days, to be afflicted by a disease or infirmity was regarded as a result of your sin or that of your parents. Jesus grants him his request.out of compassion definitely but more because his faith in the power of Jesus made the difference. Then we are told he joined Jesus and followed him along the road.
We must also acknowledge that Bartimaeus could see better than many of the people around him who had the gift of sight. He knew who Jesus was. He called him Jesus, Son of David. He realized that he needed to come to Jesus and Jesus alone for mercy. He showed a persistent trust and faith in Jesus, even though he had never seen him. And neither have we! He also showed a willingness to make a new start in life. He said that he wanted to see. In doing this he was giving up his old way of life, that is, relying upon people's handouts, and accepting that he would now have to work. We are told that he threw off of his cloak; I wonder why Mark tells us that? Is it to symbolize the throwing off of his old life? Bartimaeus could also see better than the crowds who would welcome Jesus enthusiastically on Palm Sunday, yet were nowhere be seen to stand up for him when he was being crucified. Because they wanted a hero, not a dead rabbi.
Bartimaeus could also see who Jesus was better than the religious leaders. They claimed to know and revere the very Scriptures that pointed to Jesus, but they couldn't see their need for a Saviour or even accept that he had come amongst them. Jesus called them "blind" again, spiritually. We live in a world where people are spiritually blind to Jesus too. Some, like James and John by their desire for popularity and power. Some, like the rich young man are blinded by their wealth. Some church leaders, like the Pharisees of his time are blinded by their supposed power, pride and mind-set. Everyone needs to be led by Jesus until spiritual blindness is overcome and we follow the example of Bartimaeus.
We all need to come to Jesus for mercy. The Hebrews reading (7:23-28) mentioned that "He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself.” We need to show a persistent trust in Him. To show a willingness to make a new start in life. Giving up our old way of life. How well do you and I see Jesus? We need to have him open our eyes to what really needs to be in our spiritual sight? Is gaining eternal life all about coming to church, feeling good about ourselves because others don’t attend? Is the Christian life all about taking what we want as church members and can get, rather than what we can give? How often do people in churches complain about the hymns, the length of the sermon, the temperature, the noisy children, someone’s sat in my pew again. etc, etc?
Today is Bible Sunday and like a sat nav or a map book, and even though we may know the destination, to reach it, the journey has many twists and turns, and dead ends; and so we need to follow the instructions closely. The bible is no different, we have to take it down from the shelf and read it every day, because every day is part of our spiritual journey. It leads us from blindness into spiritual sight; we read and learn about the mistakes others make, like the rich man and the two disciples. How would we know that if we didn’t read the bible and understand the truth contained in it? As those famous lines from Thomas Cranmer’s 1662 BCP says: “Read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them.”
Last week Jesus said, “The son of man did not come to be served, but to serve.” That wasn’t him being boastful, or making a moral statement (Oh look at me and what I’ve done!) It was an example – nay, even a not too subtle command to us – do as I do. Yes, Jesus tells us he promises eternal life, yes he will forgive you your sins, bring you salvation – but the price is to serve others as he has served us. If all of us started out with that same premise, not to be served but to serve, to read, mark and learn; then we would truly remove all spiritual blindness from our hearts and minds. Amen (from Fr Peter).