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Seeing Clearly
The Healing of Blind Bartimaeus
“May God open our eyes to see
Our ears to hear
And our hearts to love”
Amen.
Today’s Biblical text is a healing and faith story.
So let’s travel back to biblical times and see the story as it unfolds.
A blind man, Bartimaeus, is sitting by the roadside begging.
Along the road comes Jesus, his disciples, and a crowd of followers.
Bartimaeus has heard about this Jesus and his healing ability –and so he is determined to attract Jesus’s attention.
He shouts out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”
I’m sure you can guess what happens next, for it happens in many of the Biblical stories. The crowd speaks sternly to him, seeing him as a nuisance for bothering Jesus.
Now Bartimaeus could have obeyed the crowd’s orders that he be quiet after his first outburst, but he’s determined to be healed, and so cries out even more loudly.
This time Jesus hears Bartimaeus, and asks that he be brought to him.
Bartimaeus isn’t going to waste this opportunity, so he throws off his cloak and rushes up to Jesus.
Let’s pause for a moment and understand the significance of Bartimaeus throwing off his cloak.
Every man in that culture had basically two articles of clothing—a tunic and a cloak. Both of these garments functioned like a raincoat, warm coat, and shelter from the sun. So what did it mean for a beggar to leave behind his cloak?
It was his shelter, bed, and warmth; his body heat; his ability to live.
Bartimaeus left all that behind to get to Jesus for help. It meant leaving everything that gave him security.
“What do you want me to do for you?” asks Jesus.
“My teacher let me see again.”
Jesus then says, “Go, your faith has made you well.”
The story ends with Bartimaeus regaining his sight and following Jesus.
You may be wondering how was poor eyesight understood in biblical times compared to the present day?
To begin with, poor eyesight was more common two thousand years ago. This was because there was little in the way of treatment–except applying various ointments for minor eye problems.
There was no antibiotics, no effective surgical procedures, no eyeglasses, and certainly no contact lenses.
The suffering of the blind person was made worse by the common belief that the affliction was due to sin. In other words, if you were blind, you must have done something to deserve this terrible punishment.
Also, because of their severe handicap, blind persons had little opportunity to earn a living. Frequently, the blind became beggars.
Is it little wonder that miraculous healing from faith healers was often sought?
So, what’s this story about, what’s it really about?
On the surface it’s about Jesus healing physical blindness and Bartimaeus’s faith.
But, let’s leave aside physical blindness for the moment. In today’s world that’s probably best left in the hands of eye doctors, who, with expertise and God’s grace, are in the best position to accomplish eye health.
Is there another form of blindness operating in this story? Another way of not seeing clearly, besides physical blindness?
I’d like to suggest that there is such a thing as spiritual blindness. Not only in this biblical story, but also today in our own lives.
When I take a closer look at this passage I can see more blindness in evidence other than just in Bartimaeus’s eyes.
Here I’m thinking about the spiritual blindness of the disciples and the crowd. They didn’t seem to “see” that Jesus’s ministry was about helping “the least of these” –those who were suffering and the most marginalised? Couldn’t they “see” that Bartimaeus was exactly the kind of person that Jesus frequently healed?
Now Bartimaeus might have been physically blind, but he could see that Jesus was the man who could cure him. He was very clear sighted about that fact.
The wonderful thing about Bible stories is that their message stands the test of time. Today, as in biblical times, we are often spiritually blind to both others and ourselves.
Think of the wider community.
Does our own country “see” correctly when it comes to the way we treat those in our country who are the most powerless, the most marginalised? Are those with the power in our society telling the aboriginals, refugees, and the homeless to keep quiet and not speak up?
And what of our own families?
Do we take the time to listen to those who are the most vulnerable?
Do we always listen, really listen, to what our small children and grandchildren have to say? Do we often have one eye on them, and one eye on our mobile screens?
It’s occurred to me, that by taking the time to listen, we’re letting children know that we’re taking an active interest in THEIR world, what matters to them. By doing so, aren’t we also encouraging them to listen to us, with respect, when we talk to them?
And what of our elderly relatives? When grandma, with dementia, asks us for the hundredth time the same question, do we roll our eyes in exasperation?
I remember when my Mum was 90, and my sister took her to see the movie, “Still Alice” about a woman with dementia. My sister told me that when she asked Mum what she thought of the movie, Mum smiled and said, “I know I can’t remember much, but I’m still Shirley”. (Sadly, Mum isn’t with us anymore, but it’s a memory I treasure).
The fact is that there are times when we all abuse the power that we have. But, it seems to me that this story is essentially about being mindful about two things, not abusing the power we have with those in a less powerful position –and seeing clearly in a spiritual sense. Seeing clearly in a spiritual sense is seeing the way Jesus wants us to see, that we are to live out our lives with each other in a loving way for the common good. In doing so, we are living out the Kingdom of God.
So if seeing clearly is what’s required of us as people of faith, what are some clues to seeing clearly?
Are we living out our lives in loving God, and our neighbour?
Are we working towards forgiving our enemies?
Have you, like me, ever had the experience of thinking you were in the right when you had an argument with someone – only to discover that you felt just as miserable afterwards, as if you had been in the wrong?
What’s that all about?
I’ve come to see any conflict, regardless of who is in the right or wrong, disrupts our inner peace. We are painfully aware of disconnection, of being separated from the other.
We’ve all experienced that moment of thinking, “If only I hadn’t said that”, or “If only I hadn’t done that”.
Our faith is about seeking atonement – which, if you write it down and look at what you’ve written, is “at-one-ment”.
And now let’s take a look at our spiritual blindness to ourselves.
We’ve heard Bill tell us every week that “each and every one of us is loved by God” – so why are we so often “blind” to this fact?
Why do we look upon ourselves so unkindly, aware too often of our perceived failings and inadequacies?
Just imagine the changes that could occur in our lives if we saw ourselves as God sees us, people that are loved unconditionally?
You do not need to change or grow, in order to be loved by God. Rather you are loved, SO that you can change and grow.
As October is mental health month, I’ll conclude with some thoughts for those of us who struggle with a mental illness.
We can learn from Bartimaeus. His affliction may have been physical, whilst ours is psychological, but, he demonstrates clearly that it is up to us to make that first step to seek help. By asking Jesus for help, Bartimaeus placed himself in the best position he knew to bring about healing. He could have chosen to stay by the roadside, begging – but that was not his choice.
Ask yourself, do you want a more fulfilling life? If so, symbolically throw off your cloak like Bartimaeus, and seek help. We do not have to risk everything, like Bartimaeus, but a change in our life’s circumstances always involves an element of risk.
A good place to start is with the many competent folk who work in mental health –doctors, therapists, counsellors, nurses, social workers. And let’s not forget the Exodus Wellness Centre, just behind this church.
So, get involved with this church community and the wider community. – it will play it’s part in keeping you healthy.
And remember, you are not alone in taking that risk, God will walk every step of the way with you.
Amen.
The Healing of Blind Bartimaeus
“May God open our eyes to see
Our ears to hear
And our hearts to love”
Amen.
Today’s Biblical text is a healing and faith story.
So let’s travel back to biblical times and see the story as it unfolds.
A blind man, Bartimaeus, is sitting by the roadside begging.
Along the road comes Jesus, his disciples, and a crowd of followers.
Bartimaeus has heard about this Jesus and his healing ability –and so he is determined to attract Jesus’s attention.
He shouts out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”
I’m sure you can guess what happens next, for it happens in many of the Biblical stories. The crowd speaks sternly to him, seeing him as a nuisance for bothering Jesus.
Now Bartimaeus could have obeyed the crowd’s orders that he be quiet after his first outburst, but he’s determined to be healed, and so cries out even more loudly.
This time Jesus hears Bartimaeus, and asks that he be brought to him.
Bartimaeus isn’t going to waste this opportunity, so he throws off his cloak and rushes up to Jesus.
Let’s pause for a moment and understand the significance of Bartimaeus throwing off his cloak.
Every man in that culture had basically two articles of clothing—a tunic and a cloak. Both of these garments functioned like a raincoat, warm coat, and shelter from the sun. So what did it mean for a beggar to leave behind his cloak?
It was his shelter, bed, and warmth; his body heat; his ability to live.
Bartimaeus left all that behind to get to Jesus for help. It meant leaving everything that gave him security.
“What do you want me to do for you?” asks Jesus.
“My teacher let me see again.”
Jesus then says, “Go, your faith has made you well.”
The story ends with Bartimaeus regaining his sight and following Jesus.
You may be wondering how was poor eyesight understood in biblical times compared to the present day?
To begin with, poor eyesight was more common two thousand years ago. This was because there was little in the way of treatment–except applying various ointments for minor eye problems.
There was no antibiotics, no effective surgical procedures, no eyeglasses, and certainly no contact lenses.
The suffering of the blind person was made worse by the common belief that the affliction was due to sin. In other words, if you were blind, you must have done something to deserve this terrible punishment.
Also, because of their severe handicap, blind persons had little opportunity to earn a living. Frequently, the blind became beggars.
Is it little wonder that miraculous healing from faith healers was often sought?
So, what’s this story about, what’s it really about?
On the surface it’s about Jesus healing physical blindness and Bartimaeus’s faith.
But, let’s leave aside physical blindness for the moment. In today’s world that’s probably best left in the hands of eye doctors, who, with expertise and God’s grace, are in the best position to accomplish eye health.
Is there another form of blindness operating in this story? Another way of not seeing clearly, besides physical blindness?
I’d like to suggest that there is such a thing as spiritual blindness. Not only in this biblical story, but also today in our own lives.
When I take a closer look at this passage I can see more blindness in evidence other than just in Bartimaeus’s eyes.
Here I’m thinking about the spiritual blindness of the disciples and the crowd. They didn’t seem to “see” that Jesus’s ministry was about helping “the least of these” –those who were suffering and the most marginalised? Couldn’t they “see” that Bartimaeus was exactly the kind of person that Jesus frequently healed?
Now Bartimaeus might have been physically blind, but he could see that Jesus was the man who could cure him. He was very clear sighted about that fact.
The wonderful thing about Bible stories is that their message stands the test of time. Today, as in biblical times, we are often spiritually blind to both others and ourselves.
Think of the wider community.
Does our own country “see” correctly when it comes to the way we treat those in our country who are the most powerless, the most marginalised? Are those with the power in our society telling the aboriginals, refugees, and the homeless to keep quiet and not speak up?
And what of our own families?
Do we take the time to listen to those who are the most vulnerable?
Do we always listen, really listen, to what our small children and grandchildren have to say? Do we often have one eye on them, and one eye on our mobile screens?
It’s occurred to me, that by taking the time to listen, we’re letting children know that we’re taking an active interest in THEIR world, what matters to them. By doing so, aren’t we also encouraging them to listen to us, with respect, when we talk to them?
And what of our elderly relatives? When grandma, with dementia, asks us for the hundredth time the same question, do we roll our eyes in exasperation?
I remember when my Mum was 90, and my sister took her to see the movie, “Still Alice” about a woman with dementia. My sister told me that when she asked Mum what she thought of the movie, Mum smiled and said, “I know I can’t remember much, but I’m still Shirley”. (Sadly, Mum isn’t with us anymore, but it’s a memory I treasure).
The fact is that there are times when we all abuse the power that we have. But, it seems to me that this story is essentially about being mindful about two things, not abusing the power we have with those in a less powerful position –and seeing clearly in a spiritual sense. Seeing clearly in a spiritual sense is seeing the way Jesus wants us to see, that we are to live out our lives with each other in a loving way for the common good. In doing so, we are living out the Kingdom of God.
So if seeing clearly is what’s required of us as people of faith, what are some clues to seeing clearly?
Are we living out our lives in loving God, and our neighbour?
Are we working towards forgiving our enemies?
Have you, like me, ever had the experience of thinking you were in the right when you had an argument with someone – only to discover that you felt just as miserable afterwards, as if you had been in the wrong?
What’s that all about?
I’ve come to see any conflict, regardless of who is in the right or wrong, disrupts our inner peace. We are painfully aware of disconnection, of being separated from the other.
We’ve all experienced that moment of thinking, “If only I hadn’t said that”, or “If only I hadn’t done that”.
Our faith is about seeking atonement – which, if you write it down and look at what you’ve written, is “at-one-ment”.
And now let’s take a look at our spiritual blindness to ourselves.
We’ve heard Bill tell us every week that “each and every one of us is loved by God” – so why are we so often “blind” to this fact?
Why do we look upon ourselves so unkindly, aware too often of our perceived failings and inadequacies?
Just imagine the changes that could occur in our lives if we saw ourselves as God sees us, people that are loved unconditionally?
You do not need to change or grow, in order to be loved by God. Rather you are loved, SO that you can change and grow.
As October is mental health month, I’ll conclude with some thoughts for those of us who struggle with a mental illness.
We can learn from Bartimaeus. His affliction may have been physical, whilst ours is psychological, but, he demonstrates clearly that it is up to us to make that first step to seek help. By asking Jesus for help, Bartimaeus placed himself in the best position he knew to bring about healing. He could have chosen to stay by the roadside, begging – but that was not his choice.
Ask yourself, do you want a more fulfilling life? If so, symbolically throw off your cloak like Bartimaeus, and seek help. We do not have to risk everything, like Bartimaeus, but a change in our life’s circumstances always involves an element of risk.
A good place to start is with the many competent folk who work in mental health –doctors, therapists, counsellors, nurses, social workers. And let’s not forget the Exodus Wellness Centre, just behind this church.
So, get involved with this church community and the wider community. – it will play it’s part in keeping you healthy.
And remember, you are not alone in taking that risk, God will walk every step of the way with you.
Amen.
