Seeing Jesus

Sometimes Jesus’ disciples had a little trouble understanding what Jesus was up to. At times they sought greatness and power for themselves. At times they tried to silence those who would come to Jesus. It seems like they had trouble seeing Jesus.

But there was one man whom we encounter in Mark 10:46-52 who does see Jesus. Bartimaeus is a blind beggar from the city of Jericho but he sees Jesus better than anyone. Bartimaeus sees that Jesus is the promised Savior of the world - the Son of David. Bartimaeus sees that Jesus is also one who comes in mercy, justice, and righteousness. 

So Bartimaeus calls out to Jesus, in words that we echo in worship every week, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”. For Bartimaeus knows that Jesus has what Bartimaeus needs and Jesus gives freely to beggars like him.

And Jesus gives freely to beggars like us. For we can no more forgive our own sins than Bartimaeus could cure his own blindness. We can no more obtain eternal life for ourselves than a dead person can climb out of the grave on their own accord.

Martin Luther’s last words are purported to be “We are beggars…this is true”. But our God is generous - giving to us treasures beyond our wildest imaginations: healing, forgiveness, and resurrection. 

We have nothing. God has everything. And He has given it to us through the death and resurrection of Jesus.