Sermonic Reflection: Mark 10:46-52 "Slow down"

We live in the fastest age in the history of humanity. The fact that you are reading this on the internet is a testimony to that. The gospel of Mark was not written in the 21st century, but it does have 21st century traits. It possesses what scholars refer to as, "a mode of immediacy." When reading this gospel you will notice the adverbs "immediately" and "suddenly" being used repeatedly. This gives the gospel a type of hurried sense, as if the author is trying to get us somewhere and tell us something about the main person of the gospel -- Jesus. He was sent to accomplish a mission, and he is laser focused at completing it. There is no wasted time or energy in this gospel. With that in mind let's look at today's passage.

46 They came to Jericho. As he and his disciples and a large crowd were leaving Jericho, Bartimaeus son of Timaeus, a blind beggar, was sitting by the roadside. 47 When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout out and say, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" 48 Many sternly ordered him to be quiet, but he cried out even more loudly, "Son of David, have mercy on me!" 49 Jesus stood still and said, "Call him here." And they called the blind man, saying to him, "Take heart; get up, he is calling you." 50 So throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus. 51 Then Jesus said to him, "What do you want me to do for you?" The blind man said to him, "My teacher, let me see again." 52 Jesus said to him, "Go; your faith has made you well." Immediately he regained his sight and followed him on the way.

Jesus and his followers (some disciples, some neutral followers) are on their way to Jerusalem. There are a few reasons the crowd would be headed to Jerusalem. The most glaring reason is Passover; and perhaps there are some who are simply following Jesus wherever he goes. Then of course there is Jesus, he is headed to cross, to death, to separation from God, and ultimately to purchase our salvation with his blood. To say that he had a lot of pressure on him would be an understatement! While this motley crew heads towards Jerusalem blind man named Bartimaeus begins crying out for Jesus.

"Jesus son of David, have mercy on me!"

Like good disciples the followers of Jesus quickly pick up blind Bartimaeus and bring him to Jesus... If only that were the case. They begin shouting him down; who knows the type of phrases they used to quiet this man. But he was a blind man, and in this day people born with (or otherwise possessing) physical defects were considered to be sinful (see John 9). So perhaps they accused him of that, refusing to allow some blind sinner near Jesus.

Why is it that Jesus' followers are so keen to keep people from Jesus? Or maybe it's not all people, maybe it's just those who are a little lower on the social totem pole. Earlier in the passage they tried to keep children (near the bottom of the societal structure) away, but they allowed the rich young ruler (near the top of the pole) to approach Jesus. Clearly they have not been paying attention to Jesus' kingdom message. Perhaps they even forget that many of them were near the bottom of societies structure; but every opportunity to bring someone who is seemingly useless to Christ is passed over. 

Thank God that we are not like that today, right? Have you ever shrunk back at offering Christ to someone who didn't fit in with your social class? Have you ever passed over someone because their views on sexuality were different than yours? Perhaps you thought that they should change first before coming to Christ; did you change first? Shamefully this is what American evangelicalism is known for! "Us four through the door and no more" is the motto many church's have unknowingly embraced. But yet the one we claim to follow, while heading towards the cross, heading towards OUR salvation, stands still for Blind Bartimaeus.

It's time for us to begin doing our part in the spreading of the gospel. All they (and we) have to do is bring them to Christ, or the place where Christ is present. We don't need to be prepared to engage in advanced theological debate. No, if they are crying out for mercy then bring them to the merciful one. Perhaps that's why Jesus, instead of going to Bartimaeus, asks his disciples to call Bartimaeus to him. It is, in my hermeneutical estimation, Jesus' way of telling his disciples to do their job so he can do his. 

This passage is extremely relevant for today's disciples. Many of us live our lives in the same mode of immediacy. Always here then immediately there, scarcely having (or taking) the time to stop and offer someone mercy. Perhaps we should heed the words of Christ and "bring them to him." It's an easy job, we just need to do it. And look at the end result. A freshly HD-upgraded Bartimaeus, instead going to see the sights, chooses to follow Jesus.

So there you have it, an easy job and a church growth method all packed into one. So as you head back out into life keep you ears and eyes open for those who might be crying out for mercy. And even if you might be a little late for your appointment, or job, or whatever, remember that Jesus stopped while going to the cross. If he can stop and temporarily delay his journey to offer mercy, we can certainly stop and do likewise.