FROM THE PASTOR

What is Holding You Back

Mark 10:46-52

“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. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Many sternly ordered him to be quiet, but he cried out even more loudly, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” 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.” So throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus. 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.” Jesus said to him, “Go; your faith has made you well.” Immediately he regained his sight and followed him on the way.”

I love this story because to a large degree it is my story….Bartimaeus has heard that Jesus is coming to town – and he desperately wants to change his lot in life – so he calls out to Jesus – Son of David – heal me!  Bartimaeus wants to change his circumstance…. The crowd tries to hush him and keep him in his place – but Bartimaeus charges forward “casting off his garment” – and Jesus asks – what would you like me to do – and in that moment – Bartimaeus seizes the opportunity to be made whole – and asks for his vision to be restored…..Jesus restores his vision – and then he does a curious thing – he follows Jesus.  He is the first and only person healed in Mark who follows Jesus to Jerusalem……

For blind Bartimaeus, the cloak was essential for him to collect alms. Bible scholars believe blind Bartimaeus may have spread his cloak in front of him as a kind of catch all for any coins that were tossed to him. When blind Bartimaeus threw off his cloak, it was a show of faith. He believed Jesus would heal him and because he would no longer be blind, there would be no need to have that tool of the trade. Bartimaeus flung off his cloak because he wanted to be free of any impediment on his way to Jesus. Bartimaeus is the paragon of faith in Mark’s Gospel, In the final verse, Jesus names faith as what impels Bartimaeus. The rest of the story shows us what that faith is. Bartimaeus’s faith is not about reciting the correct confession or subscribing to certain dogmas. It is his unrelenting conviction that Jesus can and will rescue him from his need. 

We see this faith in what Bartimaeus does:  He grasps who Jesus is, he persists despite hindrances. he expects a transformation. he asks for the right thing. and he follows Jesus on the Way.  Bartimaeus begins the story alongside the road. He ends the story as a follower. 

This is my story too – my adolescent years were rough – I struggled to find my way in school, in athletics and with friends.  By the time I was ready to go to college my self-image was so shot that I could not see a future for myself.  

My parents sent me to college kicking and screaming, literally!  When I arrived at college – I decided to open myself up to new experiences.  The college chaplain shared powerful sermons during chapel that opened my eyes to the healing power of Jesus that could and would change my life.

I like Bartimaeus, threw away the cloak that had defined me throughout my childhood and adolescents – and suddenly instead of hating school – I loved it, I lost 75 lbs., became a student leader in college, and decided to follow Jesus to seminary as a way of “giving back” to the healing that I experienced in college.

I ask you today – what is holding you back.  What is the cloak that might be defining you in ways that are inhibiting your growth in faith?  

I invite you to let this Bible story speak to you – if you are hurting, feeling alone, in need of healing – let go of what binds you and find healing and wholeness in the powerful healing power as Bartimaeus found out in this profound story!!!

See you in Church!
Pastor Johnson