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October 22, 2006

Mark 10:46-52

"What do you want me to do for you?"

“What do you want me to do for you?” That’s a loaded question. “What do you want me to do for you?” You are really never sure of what the answer may be to this question. When I told Rhonda that this question should have been my sermon title, she jokingly said, “Where do you want me to start?!”

“What do you want me to do for you?” I have heard this question asked in frustration at the point in an argument where both sides are so angry that they can’t see or hear what the other person is saying. I have heard this question asked when someone is in need of assistance and they are so overwhelmed they don’t know which way is up. I have heard this question asked between colleagues in professional settings when they are working on a project together. “What do you want to me to do for you?”

It is a loaded question. When you ask that question of another, you are giving them the opportunity to name anything that is within your power of doing for this person. When you ask this question of another, you open yourself up to another person. For that brief moment, you are vulnerable. For that brief moment, you are a little unsure of what you have gotten yourself into when you extended this offer. “What do you want me to do for you?” It really is a loaded question.

And one that I am surprised that Jesus asks of Bartimaeus. Because when Jesus was leaving the city of Jericho, Bartimaeus calls out to Jesus, “Have mercy on me”. Bartimaeus tells Jesus what he wants but Jesus does let this be the end of the conversation. Jesus has the disciples bring Bartimaeus to him and asks, “What do you want me to do for you?”
In that moment, Jesus has given Baritmaeus the opportunity to name anything in his power. Jesus is vulnerable. Jesus asks the loaded question. What do you want me to do for you?

It is interesting where this story is place in the Gospel of Mark. This healing of Bartimaeus happens right before Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. After the healing, the crowd will shout out Hosanna! King of Kings. After the healing of Bartimaeus, the crowd will recognize Jesus as the Son of David. But for right now, the crowd is trying to silence Bartimaeus as he calls out to the Son of David. But for right now, the crowd is ordering Bartimaeus to be quiet even though he is shouting out to the King of Kings. Bartimaeus calls out to Jesus before the ride into Jerusalem and is the first to call Jesus “Son of David”. Bartimaeus is the first to call Jesus by the title that was given to the long awaited Messiah. Bartimaeus knows that this man, this man named Jesus is something different and he recognizes Jesus as the Son of David before the crowd does, the same crowd that tried to keep him quiet and prevent Bartimaeus from receiving the healing promise of the Good News.

The commentators stressed that the story of Bartimaeus is a healing story but it is also a story of call. This is the only healing story in the Gospel of Mark where the person who is seeking to be healed has a name. It is similar to all the other healing stories in the Bible. Someone comes seeking healing from Jesus and there is some obstacle that they must overcome. And we as readers learn and know that is their faith, their true discipleship that healed them. Jesus tells them that their faith has made you well. And they go on their way.
But the author of Mark wants to set this story apart from all the other healings that have happened along the way to Jerusalem. The author wants to show that there are changes happening soon to Jesus and the disciples. The author gives the person who is seeking the healing a name.

And is that name that lets us know as readers that this story is not just what it appears to be. It is different. This story is something more than just a healing. This story has all the elements of a call story. The people have a name and Jesus knows their name. The same verb that was used in the story of the Call of the Disciples is the same verb that is used in verse 49. Jesus calls the disciples to come and see and Jesus also calls Bartimaeus to come to him and see. The disciples are call to see the Kingdom of God while Bartimaeus is called to simply see.

However, the author of Mark uses the call story of Bartimaeus to show a difference in the two call stories. The disciples were called to follow and to see the miracles of Jesus, to see and experience his teachings, to see the coming of the Kingdom of God but they didn’t get it. They couldn’t see. They were blind to all that Jesus was doing. They couldn’t see who Jesus really was until Jesus’ triumph ride into Jerusalem.
On the other hand, Bartimaeus, a blind beggar, who is sitting outside the gates of the city, waiting, sees that Jesus is the Son of David and cries out to him for mercy. He may be blind but he knows who Jesus is. He doesn’t need palm branches and shouts from the crowd to know that this man, this Jesus is special, that Jesus will bring him sight. Bartimaeus knew who Jesus was, even though he was unable to see him.

This healing is different. Yes, it was Bartimaeus’ faith that made him whole but there is something more. In this healing, we know this person’s name and we know that he is being called by Jesus to come and see. He is no longer a face in the crowd. Bartimaeus is a real person. Bartimaeus is no longer an outsider that has been pushed to the side. Bartimaeus is a child of God who recognizes the true Messiah even when the disciples do not.

During seminary, I traveled Nicaragua on a mission trip. This was my first time out of the country and I really wasn’t sure what I was doing, going to a third world country where I knew no one. We stayed and worked and it was a life-changing trip. Before I left the village, I asked the family if I could take a picture of the young girl that had become my friend that week. Her name was Elizabeth. I keep her picture at home in my office and every time I sit down to the computer, I see her face. I know her name. Nicaragua is no longer a country on the map to me. Nicaragua is no longer people that I don’t know or will never see again. Nicaragua is no longer a country that I can ignore or push to the side.
Nicaragua has a face for me. Nicaragua has a name for me and that name is Elizabeth.

There is power in a name. We recognize the person and acknowledge the person when we say their name. They are no longer a face in the crowd. They will no longer be pushed aside or ignored. And that is what happened to Bartimaeus. He was simply a blind beggar sitting at the gates of the city, passed by hundreds without a glance or without acknowledging his presences. But Jesus knew him. Jesus called to him. Jesus recognized him as a child of God who needed God’s love and God’s mercy and so he asked, “What do you want me to do for you?”

Give me sight. That is what Bartimaeus asked for from Jesus. Give me sight so that I can become part of the community again. Jesus, you have recognized me as a child of God. Grant me sight so that I may follow you and share in the Good News. Give me sight. Give me vision.

Bartimaeus is healed by his faith. Bartimaeus shared his prayer with Jesus and he was given sight. Bartimaeus shared his deepest desire with Jesus and he was given his life back. When Jesus asked Bartimaeus, “What do you want me to do for you, Jesus opened the opportunity for Bartimaeus to be a witness to Jesus Christ and gave him the call to come and follow him.

What do you want me to do for you? It is a loaded question. And one that Jesus is asking you today. What do you want me to do for you? Jesus has given us the opportunity to name anything in his power for us as people of God. What an amazing and humbling thought!

I believe that we as Midway Christian Church would also reply to the question by stating: Give us vision. We are seeking your guidance. We are seeking where God is calling us as a church. Give us vision. Help us to live out our vocation as your people. Give us the vision to discern our gifts so that we may better serve you, God.
As I looked at the text, I began to realize what appropriate timing for a story of call, healing, and seeking vision. Midway Christian Church has been called to come and see the Kingdom of God. Midway Christian Church has been called to come and follow. We will no longer be sitting by the gates of the city, waiting. We recognize that Jesus is the Messiah and we will answer, Give us vision.
In just a few weeks, the board will gather and prepare the vision for Midway Christian Church. The board will gather and develop a plan for the future of Midway Christian Church.
Jesus is asking us a congregation. Jesus is asking us as a community of God. Jesus is asking us as people of faith. “What do you want me to do for you?

May we have the courage to answer. Amen.

Rev. Heather McColl
Midway Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

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