A Reflection on Mark 10:46–52[i]
Do you often make assumptions based on common knowledge or your own experience?
Do you project your own feelings or attitudes onto others because of preconceived notions?
We all do.
Unfortunately, our preconceptions may be biased, our experiences are usually narrow, and there are always exceptions to what is “common.”
For example, we often assume a crying baby is hungry or has a soiled diaper. But a baby may cry because she is startled, has a bad dream, or has an upset tummy. When our boss is nitpicking at work, we may assume he is out to get us when, in fact, he may have had a fight with his teenage son that morning. When the girl in your study group does not look at you when talking to you, you may think she is rude or assume she does not like you. In fact, the girl may have autism and be struggling with social interactions. We may think people with disabilities all want their specific disabilities to be removed when all they want is to be accepted the way they are.
In this blog, I want to reflect on the biblical story of Jesus healing a blind man named Bartimaeus – how Jesus interacted with him and the crowd and how we, Jesus’s followers, can learn from Him.
The Story
46 Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus (which means “son of Timaeus”), was sitting by the roadside begging. 47 When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” 48 Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” 49 Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” So they called to the blind man, “Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you.” 50 Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus. 51 “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him. The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.” 52 “Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road. (Mark 10:46-52 NIV)
Giving a cursory look at the story, you may think it is just another typical healing miracle of Jesus. In the Church, we may have read or heard of the healing miracles of Jesus so many times that we do not give them (or the One who performed the miracles) much thought or attention. Any miraculous signs Jesus did should inspire in us awe, respect, and fear for Him who alone could create something from nothing, who can make the ill well and bring dry bones to life.
Jesus was on His way to Jerusalem with His followers and a large crowd for the Jewish festival Passover. Jesus knew this would be the last time He went to this city He loved. In a few days, He would die an excruciating death on the cross for the sins of the world, accomplishing His mission on earth. And yet, even with the shadow of pain and suffering looming over Him, Jesus heard the desperate cry of Bartimaeus, a blind beggar on the busy road. While the crowd ignored this blind beggar or acted harshly and abusively toward him, Jesus heard Bartimaeus and stopped for him.
What a contrast in action and attitude between Jesus and the rest of the crowd, including those who claimed to be His followers! Jesus heard the desperation and heartfelt cry of Bartimaeus and intentionally stopped for him, even though He could have continued right on and no one would have even noticed. Bartimaeus was among the crowd, and the people ignored him, neglected him, and rebuked him when he cried out for Jesus. They saw Bartimaeus as a nuisance, an unwanted distraction, and an inconvenient delay in their journey. They tried to prevent him from seeking Jesus.
Bartimaeus, on the other hand, was not deterred or intimidated by the crowd. He shouted even louder. Why? Why was he so determined to reach Jesus? What did he hope Jesus would do for him? The text does not tell us. But, from Bartimaeus’s determined and courageous cry, his eagerness and excitement when Jesus asked for him, and his respectful and reverential attitude toward Jesus, we can surmise that he believed in Jesus’s power and expected His gracious mercy.
Jesus’s subsequent conversation with Bartimaeus should make us, Jesus’s followers, stop and think.
We may automatically assume that Bartimaeus wanted to see – to gain sight so he did not have to beg for money. We may think it only common sense that Bartimaeus would wish to be cured of his blindness. We may presume Jesus would do yet another miracle like He did many times before.
However, Jesus stopped and took the time to converse with Bartimaeus. Imagine Jesus looking at Bartimaeus intently and asking the blind beggar sincerely, “What do you want me to do for you?” Unlike us, Jesus did not presume on Bartimaeus. Unlike us, Jesus did not assume common sense applied to everyone. Unlike us, Jesus knew that being healed as a whole person is much more critical than being cured of an infirmity.
Now, imagine the emotions Bartimaeus must have felt – the shock that Jesus would even consider his desires, the unusual sense of being spoken to as an equal, and the incredible feeling of being respected by such a respected teacher. Bartimaeus must have been overwhelmed by Jesus’s graciousness, genuine care, and loving mercy.
Bartimaeus asked Jesus for sight, and Jesus gave it to him because He saw his faith. In addition to physical sight, Bartimaeus also received spiritual sight. He trusted Jesus, put his faith into action, and followed Jesus.
The Ministry of the Church
The truths from biblical stories stand the test of time. Jesus’s teachings and examples speak to modern-day Christian living. So, how can we learn from Jesus’s example in this biblical story? How can we emulate Jesus when relating to and interacting with people with disabilities?
Presence
When the crowd neglected Bartimaeus and ignored his cry, Jesus recognized his presence. Jesus acknowledged Bartimaeus’s person and gave him dignity by stopping for him and interacting with him.
What about us? What is our attitude when encountering disabled individuals? Do we stop for them when seeing their need for assistance? Do we take the initiative to interact with them when seeing them at church? Or do we pass by, pretending they are not there?
Jesus’s actions speak the truth that every human being is created in God’s image and endowed with dignity and significance. Their presence matters.
Voice
When the crowd tried to silence Bartimaeus, Jesus talked with him and asked what he wanted. Jesus did not assume Bartimaeus was asking for money. Instead, Jesus gave Bartimaeus agency to voice his needs and desires.
What about us? Do we assume we know what disabled people need or want based on our own experience or common sense? Do we presume upon them our standard of being “normal” or “healthy?” Do we allow them to speak out about what they really need?
Jesus’s actions teach us to respect disabled individuals and give them a say in matters concerning them. Their voice matters.
Conclusion
We see the stark contrast between Jesus and the crowd in their attitudes and actions toward the blind Bartimaeus. The crowd was indifferent, if not hostile, toward Bartimaeus. Yet, Jesus was full of compassion and genuine concern for the man. The crowd tried to silence Bartimaeus’s cry, but Jesus stopped and responded to the man’s desperate plea. The crowd did not think a blind beggar was significant enough to warrant Jesus’s time and attention. But to Jesus, every person deserves to be treated with respect and dignity. Unfortunately, many Christians have not learned the lesson from this story. People with disabilities are all too often shunned or neglected by the faith community. If we are to be the church of Jesus Christ, we must not be like the crowds trying to suppress the voices of those in need. We must learn from Jesus, walk in His steps, and be willing to listen, stop, ask, and respond.
[i] cf. Matthew 9:27–31; Luke 18:35–43