Friday, April 11, 2025  

Today's Scripture
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. (NRSV)

Reflection

Bartimaeus, a blind beggar, probably was viewed by Jewish pilgrims en route to Jerusalem for Passover as making a ruckus. With acute hearing perception — a quality we admire in people who lack the sense of sight — the man realized from the stir in the crowd that Jesus of Nazareth was approaching. We can imagine that Bartimaeus had been inspired to believe that nearby was someone who did not scorn or avoid a desperate person. Rather, here was a person who cared, who could help, even heal. So he jumps up and makes a beeline for Jesus.

It’s curious that the Gospel writer reports that Jesus asks, “What do you want me to do for you,” as if it weren’t obvious. Does that question suggest that Jesus is asking something more profound: “Do you just want to regain your sight, or is there something even more important than that?” Jesus recognizes that the man’s faith in him is fundamental and, we could surmise, life-changing, perhaps even more so than gaining sight. “Go, your faith has healed you.”

Blessings do occur in my life. Sometimes I might even remember to “thank God!” I wonder, though, if my faith might be more enriched if I paused to reflect on a significance deeper than a nice outcome.

Prayer
Ever-faithful God, help me to see beyond the momentary event when a prayer seems to be answered to be grateful for your nudge to deeper faithfulness. Amen.

Written by Rebecca Dixon, Member of Fourth Presbyterian Church

Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church

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