The Invisibles and the Forgottenনমুনা

Bartimaeus

Let's go back to the airport terminal. As I watched and listened to what was happening around me, the Holy Spirit reminded me of Bartimaeus, the blind man who cried out to Jesus amidst a bustling crowd. The story is found in Mark 10:46-52:

“Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus (which means “son of Timaeus”), was sitting by the roadside begging. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” So they called to the blind man, “Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you.” Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus. “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him. The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.” “Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.”

Bartimaeus was truly invisible. He neither saw nor was seen. We don’t know how many years he had been begging, but his life must have been extremely hard! Daily at the mercy of people’s kindness for his sustenance. Begging, confused, not able to see what happened around him. In total darkness. However, it’s evident Bartimaeus had knowledge of Messianic prophecies and, despite being blind, realized that walking a few feet away from him was Jesus, the long-awaited Messiah, the promised Son of David. He could not see, but that would not deter him from pursuing this opportunity and used his other senses to catch his attention. Bartimaeus knew that only Jesus could change his circumstances.

Picture the scene, a crowd followed Jesus, people came in and out of the city with their animals and their children; merchants sold at the city gates, lots of noise and distractions. Bartimaeus cried at the top of his lungs, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” He recognized who Jesus was and cried with all his might due to that certainty. Jesus STOPPED. Bartimaeus’ faith compelled Jesus to stop.

Notice the question Jesus asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?” It seems obvious that if he was blind, he would want to see. But I think Jesus was teaching something else through that question. Right before this passage, Mark narrates that Jesus asked the same question to other people.

“Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. “Teacher,” they said, “we want you to do for us whatever we ask.” “What do you want me to do for you?” he asked. They replied, “Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory.” “You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said. “Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?” “We can,” they answered. Jesus said to them, “You will drink the cup I drink and be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with, but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared.” When the ten heard about this, they became indignant with James and John. Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:35-45, NIV).

What a stark contrast! Jesus asked James and John the same question He asked Bartimaeus, “What do you want me to do for you?” Remember, these were two of His chosen disciples, in other words, people who were supposed to be more spiritual than a beggar, right? However, while the disciples asked for position, Bartimaeus asked for vision.

Positions, recognition, attention…exactly what the world demands. But Bartimaeus chose something better; vision, and when he could see Jesus, he didn’t want to leave his presence, and followed Jesus along the road.

Sometimes, there are things that gradually diminish our vision. We stop seeing the Gospel as clearly, we don’t see our path or where Jesus is in our struggle or story. Things like:

- pain

- loss

- uncertainty

- anxiety

- desire for position

- hopelessness

- need

- isolation

- loneliness

- sadness

- feeling invisible in the world

All these things can blur our vision and keep us in a clumsiness loop, trying to believe God one day, but as lost as Bartimaeus on the street begging the next. The world’s answer is to convince us that things would be different if we had a position, platform, fame or the admiration of the masses. “If only I had more followers, more likes, more authority…” But Jesus was not moved by the disciple’s request, He was moved by Bartimaeus’ plea: “I want to see.”

There are at least four things we can do when we feel invisible or forgotten and have lost sight of Jesus and what truly matters in life. Bartimaeus teaches us the first one: don’t seek position, yearn for vision.

The disciples were blinded by their selfish desires to be important in the Kingdom of God. Bartimaeus, on the other hand, saw Jesus was the important one. His desperate cries were uncomfortable for those around him, but an activator of compassion for Jesus, who heard faith in his voice.

The more I study Scripture, the more convinced I become that God’s greatest desire is and always has been to be loved by His children. When we focus on positions, we forget who we serve and why we serve Him. When we request vision to see Him and know Him, we are able to follow Him along the road, like Bartimaeus, even if at times that road doesn’t make sense to our finite mind.

If God is allowing a time of isolation, solitude, or invisibility, it’s an opportunity to grow in intimacy with Him. It’s a special time to know Him more and seek His presence, which ultimately, is everything in our lives. When you do so, your ability to see Him clearly will grow, and He will define and reveal HIS vision for your life when you least expect it.

Maybe you feel it’s been years since you were seen and since you saw Jesus with the same passion and clarity as you used to. Yet, He is close to you. And no matter how much noise and distractions surround you, when you call on Him with faith, you can be certain He stops for you. “Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you.”

Prayer

Father, forgive me if I have allowed things to cloud my vision of Jesus and the ability to understand your ways. Search my heart, and if I have permitted the cares of this world or the desire for position to be more important than my vision of you, forgive me. Thank you for the friends I have, even if they are few. Thank you for always seeing me and listening when I cry out to you. I yearn to know you more and follow you on the path you choose for me. Holy Spirit, speak to me and fill me with your presence every day. You are my priority in life, and I want you to always be the root of my desires. I love you, with imperfect love, but I love you. In Jesus’ name, amen.