5-24-21<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One of my favorite passages in the Bible\u2026 Wait, I always feel funny when I start a conversation or a lesson that way. Every<\/em> passage in the Bible ought to be as important, meaningful, and \u201cfavorite\u201d as every other. Right? It\u2019s all God\u2019s word! I remember once thinking about those \u201cred letter\u201d Bibles, that every verse, every chapter, every book, should be in red, since it\u2019s all the word of God.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Well, tangents aren\u2019t in red, so I\u2019ll go on. A Bible passage that speaks to me in many special ways is one that has many aspects and nuances and applications, but has become a favorite scene that attracts my attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It is the story of Blind Man Bartimaeus, the last (recorded) miracle of healing performed by Jesus, as He passed through Jericho on the way to Jerusalem where He would be arrested, tortured, and crucified. There was a crowd with Him and the Disciples. Luke 18:35-42:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Then it happened, as He was coming near Jericho, that a certain blind man sat by the road begging. And hearing a multitude passing by, he asked what it meant. So they told him that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by. And he cried out, saying,\u201cJesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Then those who went before warned him that he should be quiet; but he cried out all the more, Son of David, have mercy on me!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n So Jesus stood still and commanded him to be brought to Him. And when he had come near, He asked him,<\/em>saying,\u201cWhat do you want Me to do for you?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n He said,\u201cLord, that I may receive my sight.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Then Jesus said to him,\u201cReceive your sight; your faith has made you well.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n When I read commentaries on this wonderful account, I am always impressed at the various messages or meanings that people take from it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Some people relate physical blindness with spiritual blindness, and how Bartimaeus reached out and saw the Truth in his soul as well as his eyes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Some people note that the term by which Bartimaeus addressed Jesus \u2013 \u201cSon of David\u201d \u2013 was a significant awareness of Biblical prophecy, and attracted Jesus\u2019s notice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Some people contrast the helplessness of a blind beggar outside the gate, his status in Jewish society, and the majesty of a King passing by.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Some people bless the modesty of a beggar, who might have pleaded for anything, like raiment of money or food or shelter, but was content to beg for open eyes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Some people wonder if there is significance that this is the second account of blind eyes being healed by Jesus; or His last miracle recorded; or that Jesus, knowing the need of Bartimaeus, yet asked him to speak it; or how it was that a blind man would know the powers of this miracle-worker who passed by in the midst of a crowd; or\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2026 or many other lessons. I do not disagree with any meaning one can glean. Like a faceted gem, God\u2019s truths have many messages in them; many applications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But the meaning that has always seemed specially important to me is one that is seldom discussed. And I think it has special application today, in our lives, our churches, in our culture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As I picture the scene described in Luke (also in Mark\u2019s gospel) beyond the healing power of Jesus that still can be pleaded, and all the lessons others see, is this detail:<\/p>\n\n\n\n This was a crowd scene before a city gate. Jesus, Disciples, followers, the normal public about their business. Bartimaeus, however, inquired, and knew that Jesus was near. He called out \u2013 he acted. He yelled, by necessity, loudly. The Disciples and others tried to shut him up! They \u201cwarned\u201d him to be quiet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I can imagine them saying \u2013 even amid the hubbub \u2013 \u201cSilence!\u201d Maybe, \u201cDon\u2019t bother the rabbi!\u201d Maybe, \u201cYou, down there — be dignified!\u201d Maybe, \u201cJesus has an agenda. Mind your own business!\u201d (Remember, the Disciples recently had argued about who between them would be “first” and “last” in the coming kingdom.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Today, would they say, \u201cWe\u2019re holding church here! Don\u2019t raise your voice!\u201d Or, “You should have checked with us for permission to call on Jesus!” Or, God forbid, would some say, \u201cBe quiet! Jesus has more important things to do!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The point is \u2013 or the points include \u2013 that the persistence of Bartimaeus was honored by Jesus. The \u201cdignity\u201d of the moment, an artifice anyway, was obviously meaningless to the Lord. And the \u201crules\u201d of the followers \u2013 hangers-on, bureaucrats, managerial types \u2013 were nothing in the eyes of the Savior. Nor in the “eyes” of the blind man.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Applications today? \u201cAll of the above.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n But chief among them \u2013 yes, my favorites \u2013 are these:<\/p>\n\n\n\n In your personal life, never let tradition nor insecurity nor ignorance prevent you from crying out to the Lord when you need Him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In your family and church-community life, never let rules and customs keep you from crying out, singing out, laughing, challenging, asking, pleading, confessing, and seeking God\u2019s face. Let no one hush you up! That\u2019s Jesus \u2013 and He\u2019s listening for you!<\/p>\n\n\n\n And in your country, what\u2019s left of it \u2013 remember Blind Man Bartimaeus as your role model. Speak up. Speak out. Don\u2019t let \u201cofficials\u201d tell you to keep quiet. Don\u2019t be<\/em> quiet!!!<\/p>\n\n\n\n If Bartimaeus had kept quiet, obeyed arbitrary rules, avoided speaking out and speaking up for himself, and missed the opportunity of making contact with holiness in his presence\u2026 he would have stayed as one more forgotten blind beggar in the dust. Dignified. Quiet. Polite. And lost.<\/p>\n\n\n\n + + +<\/p>\n\n\n\n This is an old and rough video from a few decades ago, but a great example of worship services when Jesus passes by.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n