Mark 10 tells us Jesus and his disciples were leaving Jericho when a large crowd began to follow him. News travels fast, of course. Before long, a blind beggar knew who was there. It was the Son of David!
All those people wanted to be close to Jesus. Close enough to touch him and hear what he might say. But not everyone could. Some people didn’t hear the news quick enough and missed their chance. Others wouldn’t have made it that close even if they wanted to.
We can only imagine what life was like for a man like Bartimaeus, the blind beggar of Mark 10. Would people talk about helping him like we do today? When it comes to discerning how to help others, that’s an example we often start with. We use the guy on the corner holding a sign as discourse for what Christians should or should not do. Along the way, you get to hear all kinds of ideas (and certainties) people have about that person.
My guess is people in the crowd with Jesus may have felt the same way. When Bartimaeus cried out to Jesus for mercy, many of them shushed him. What do you need to believe about yourself or someone else to treat another person that way? If Jesus hadn’t called on him, who knows what they would have said to him after he yelled even louder in response.
As God’s people, one of the simplest things we can for others is respect them. Let’s not talk down to anyone. Don’t belittle people who have less than you or may not, seemingly, have much to offer your church. Now, I hope many of you read that and thought that was a no brainer. Well, it is until it happens in our church worship gatherings. Or council meetings. Or within other church ministries.
The name Bartimaeus means “honorable son” or even “highly prized.” How honorable did Bartimaeus feel as he sat everyday by the roadside? I have a hard time believing that day in the crowd was the first time people denounced him.
For us, the lesson is that it’s impossible to talk down to someone and preach grace and compassion. May God give us eyes to see when we act like the crowd did or allow others to do so.
Stay blessed…john
