"As Jesus and his disciples and a large crowd were leaving Jericho, bar-Timaeus son of Timaeus, a blind beggar, was sitting by the roadside. When bar-Timaeus 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."
-Mark 10:46-52
Too often I defer to Anglican politeness in the presence of boldly expressed faith with my own soft-voiced “amens.” I have slipped my Alleluias under a basket with the root vegetables, for later. “Alleluia!” Praise God…but later when even the potato’s eyes see.
The road from Jericho to Jerusalem travels south along the western edge of the dry, Jordan River delta, then turns west as it begins the climb into the hill country toward Jerusalem. I choose to wait here for Jesus and his entourage because I know the crowd will have been thinned by the arduous climb. I dislike crowds and the trouble that follows them; yet I want to be able to say I was there when the Nazarine shamed the temple secret police again.
I am in the shade of an outcropping, next to a blind beggar named bar-Timaeus. He smells of sweat and urine. I shouldn’t attract any attention here. Next to him is a young potter, on his way to Jerusalem to deliver a bag of wine goblets. As the dust is stirred downhill, the young potter tells bar-Timaeus we can see the approaching knot of followers. The blind man says,“I know.” There is a low murmur, the shuffling of sandals on the rocky path, the bleat of a single lamb on a tether, the smell of agitation; then the Nazarene Rabbi appears. He is un-impressive in appearance, but powerfully magnetic.
The blind man becomes agitated; he calls out to Jesus. We shush him for breaking the hot silence…and for calling attention to us.
Jesus stops and lifts outstretched arms chest high, palms down. The murmur dies to a dead silence save the cry of the lamb. The Rabbi calls for bar-Timaeus by name. Now, seems to me to be a safe time to become involved, so the potter and I offer our arms to the blind beggar and lead him to the waiting prophet. The potter’s bag of goblets falls, breaking all, save one.
Jesus places a hand on each side of bar-Timaeus’ uplifted head and presses a thumb into each eye-socket. He asks, “Gentle son of Timaeus; what do you want me to do for you?” Now I am ashamed I was so reticent with the Rabbi; jealous these opportunities always seem to slip past me.
With rising urgency this week, Jesus will be asking us each by name, “What do you want me to do for you?” Be prepared to answer; be bold. Receiving Jesus’ gift is not passive. Be ready to pick up your cross and follow him on the way.
Oculi mei (My eyes are on the Lord)
My Savior, I am so tired of being stirred and not being changed, by your Grace, grant me the clarity and the spine to embrace the change. Amen.
