Mark 10:46-52 GNT
They came to Jericho, and as Jesus was leaving with his disciples and a large crowd, a blind beggar named Bartimaeus son of Timaeus was sitting by the road. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, “Jesus! Son of David! Have mercy on me!”
Many of the people scolded him and told him to be quiet. But he shouted even more loudly, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”
Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.”
So they called the blind man. “Cheer up!” they said. “Get up, he is calling you.”
So he threw off his cloak, jumped up, and came to Jesus.
“What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him.
“Teacher,” the blind man answered, “I want to see again.”
“Go,” Jesus told him, “your faith has made you well.”
At once he was able to see and followed Jesus on the road.
Can you imagine the noise and the crush as excited people tried to meet this megastar of his day? Ostracised and alone, sitting on the side of the road, how would Bartimaeus have known where Jesus was. Not being able to visually locate Jesus, and being jostled by the large crowd, the noise would have overridden the footsteps of sandaled feet. Anxious not to miss Jesus, Bartimaeus calls out. Judging and with disregard, the others tried to silence him. So he calls out louder, with courage, intent and passion.
And Jesus heard.
In the midst of confusion, and the bustling and babbling of life around me, I, too, have cried out in anxiety, then courage, seeking direction, connection, and help. And Jesus heard. My fear, disquiet, confusion, lack of insight and procrastination were resolved. I had to admit when I could not see, nor understand, nor think clearly, nor know what to do.
And Jesus heard.
Prayer –
Friend and listener,
at the edge of the crowd is a lonely place.
Life passes by as a babbling and busy noise,
while confusion and anxiety combine
in the heart of the lonely sitter.
But you discern, O Seeing One.
You hear, O listening One.
Friend and Companion,
I stumble on the uneven path of life.
I find fear overcoming reason,
and courage ebbing
with the complete indifference of the busy and bossy.
Yet, you hear me.
You never are far away.
When I turn to you again and again,
You greet me with the warmth of the morning sun,
calling to me and showing me a new beginning,
as clear as the bird song resonating in the darkness of dawn.
Every moment I turn to you, my inner eye reveals a healing way
to turn to life, refreshed with courage and certainty, I am known and heard.
© Rev Anne Hewitt 20/10/2021
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