The Blind Man Who Saw Jesus Most Clearly

Pastor’s Column

30th Sunday in Ordinary Time

October 27, 2024

“Bartimaeus, a blind man, the son of Timaeus, sat by the roadside begging.

On hearing that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say,

‘Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me.’”

from Mark 10:46-52

There were many people lining the roadside as Jesus left Jericho that day.  Jericho lay at an oasis at the base of a long and arduous climb up to the mountains of Jerusalem. Jesus by this time was quite famous and many had come out to see him: the curious, those expecting miracles, those seeking a cure, those who wanted to hear him. Others in Jericho were just too busy to bother, or perhaps going about their usual business without a thought or a realization that one of the most historic moments in history was about to pass them by. Jesus is passing by! Can you see him?

Bartimaeus was blind. He could not see exactly when or where Jesus was passing; he could not catch Jesus’ eye, so what does he do? He calls out in desperation.  And it is precisely this call that was heard by the Lord. What was it that made Bartimaeus different than so many others who lined the streets that day? Bartimaeus, because of his illness, was willing to take a risk, even when at first Jesus appeared not to hear (a way God often acts with us too). His great need made him seek desperate measures: he was willing to be humiliated, risking being ignored by Jesus or embarrassed by the crowds who heard him. Bartimaeus, however, had one asset going for him: though blind, he could not be silenced. Bartimaeus was determined that Jesus should hear him. Bartimaeus was desperate enough to call out to Jesus.

Even today, the self-satisfied, those so busy and full of the things of this world, those who are not aware of their need for God may not seek God as diligently, or feel they have no need of him, as those who are hurting, emptied out, desperate or genuinely seeking the truth. What we lack can become our greatest assets, because these become openings, windows and doors that the Lord can enter through.  

The irony of this story is that, like in all of scripture, the Lord speaks on several levels at once: the obvious, surface meaning -- and deeper insights for those who have the eyes to see. The one who sees Jesus more clearly than anyone else is in fact the blind man. Like Bartimaeus, none of us has seen Jesus with our physical eyes either: instead, we must see him through faith. In fact, the most desperate circumstances of our lives can be turned into windows and doors of grace by which we might allow the Lord and his grace to enter.    

Father Gary