Bible Text: Mark 10:46-52 | Preacher: Rev. Jenn Geddes
It is generally believed that the reformation began on the day Martin Luther nailed his 95 thesis on the castle church door in Wittenberg, Germany on October 31st, 1517. We are fast approaching the 500th anniversary for this particular day. It is also why the last Sunday in October is always named “Reformation Sunday.” But there is another part of Martin Luther’s story that I have always found intriguing. What was Luther’s life like before the 95 thesis? Luther was born in a small community in Germany where his father worked in the copper mines. Some how, word got out that Luther was an exceptionally bright young man and at age 13 he studied law at the University of Erfurt. He earned both his bachelors and master’s degrees in the shortest time allowed by the university. He also demonstrated that he could be quite the debater and conversely gained the nickname”The Philosopher”. But here’s the part of the story I find most interesting. He was on his way to becoming a very successful lawyer. But then in 1505, just 12 years before posting his paper on the door, while on the road to Erfurt he encountered a severe thunderstorm. It was so bad that a bolt of lightning struck the ground dangerously close to him. Being the good catholic that he was he exclaimed “Help me, St. Anne!” Who happens to be the patron saint of horseback riders. Luther then made a promise that if he survived he would become a monk. Which later resulted in him selling everything he owned and becoming a monk in the order of St. Augustine. Of course this was the first of many revelations which would eventually lead to the reformation, the re-forming of an established institution. He really didn’t begin his journey in faith expecting that he would change the face of church forever. But sometimes it takes a big jolt or even a scare to change everything. While today is called Reformation Sunday and we celebrate the reformed church, the Gospel passage is also all about a reforming and a restoring.
The healing story of blind Bartimaeus is not simply a healing story. It is a story of restoring sight but it is also a story of reforming discipleship. Bartimaeus represents not just one person but an entire community that is restored through Jesus. While the miracle of sight is essential to the story it is also about a much larger and wider miracle made known through Jesus. Like Luther, who was but one person humbled by God, his insights created a radical transformation in the wider church. So Bartimaeus’ story tells us that healing is not just for one man but for all.
Bartimaeus is described as a blind beggar, meaning that he had no social rank or importance. He is sitting at the roadside when he hears Jesus pass and he begins to cry out, “Son of David, Jesus! Mercy, have mercy on me!” Despite the fact that we are over half way through the Gospel of Mark, this is the first time that the title “Son of David” is applied to Jesus. This title demonstrates that this blind man understood Jesus’ royal lineage. It also is a foreshadowing of what is about to happen in the very next chapter when Jesus will enter the holy city of Jerusalem while sitting on a colt and the crowds will begin to shout “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in God’s name!” Despite his blind eyes and despite his lack of status, Bartimaeus sees who Jesus is well before a lot of people, even those closest to Jesus.
The next line in our passage is rather disconcerting because as Bartimaeus calls out to Jesus and addresses him as King. People are trying to hush him. The NRSV says that “many sternly ordered him to be quiet.” We know that historically a lot of people tried to shut up Luther and the other reformers before their voices could be heard over the crowd. In reading this Gospel story I can’t help but remember that at St. Andrew’s in Victoria there was a blind man who sat on the bench outside the church doors and would cry out, “Spare a little change” for hours on end. And often his cries could be heard inside the church, during the service. I will admit, I found it distracting and sometimes disruptive. But as I’ve read this Gospel story I have come to understand something amazing about Jesus, (yes, even I learn new things about Jesus every once and a while).
In public speaking we often are trained to just keep going and ignore the distraction. At the very least pause and let the noise pass. But Jesus stops. The crowd’s rejection of Bartimaeus’ pleas shows his lack of status but this does not matter to Jesus. When I hear something on the news that disturbs me, I often will briefly think to myself, “that’s terrible” but then I will plough on with whatever else I have to do. When I’m on a mission to get a task done I can get rather focused and make it impossible to be disrupted. If I’m in the middle of something and my phone rings I sometimes let it ring and go to voice mail because I am busy and need to get the work done. But Jesus stops. While there are all these people following Jesus and calling attention to him, Jesus stops and addresses the needs of one individual. Jesus stops for me, when I am blinded by sin or am calling out for help. Jesus stops for you. Perhaps as a church, as the body of Christ in the world, we need to stop and reform, restore, and provide healing.
What happens once Bartimaeus is healed is also very important. The Cornerstone Bible Commentary expresses this perfectly, “Bartimaeus’ healing highlights Jesus’ continued work of compassion and his ability to bring sight to those in darkness. It also dramatizes an example of faith. Unlike the rich man we heard about a couple weeks ago who had everything except spiritual insight, the blind man had nothing but saw clearly. He understood that Jesus, as Son of David, could heal, and that he had the power of God to bring renewal of life.”
Upon being healed not only is Bartimaeus able to literally see, he also follows. This separates this healing story from all the other miracle stories in the Gospel. Usually at the end of a healing or miracle the crowd is awed but the person being healed is left to go on their way. We are told, however, that Bartimaeus is healed and follows Jesus. This is the reality of true insight and Bartimaeus is about to follow Jesus into Jesus’ darkest hours. They are not going to be easy but rather full of challenge.
I wonder if the blind man’s sight was really what was important or rather that his sight then allowed him to follow Jesus closely. I think of the Reformers, of Martin Luther, John Calvin, John Knox and many others who felt that change was needed, that a restoring of the church was the will of God, that reforming our beliefs so that they realigned with Jesus’ teachings was necessary and I wonder if any of them were hesitant. I wonder if any of them thought, “perhaps we should just stick with the status quo” or “we can’t change because we’ve also done it this way”. I wonder if 500 years of doing things the way they have always happened is long enough. I wonder if we are in need of a reforming, restoring and healing. I wonder what it will take to give us a bolt of insight to know with confidence what God is asking us to do. I wonder when it is best to stop and listen and as I wonder, it is my hope that we all commit to follow. Amen