They came to Jericho. As he and his disciples and a large crowd were leaving Jericho, Bartimaeus son of Timaeus, a blind beggar, was sitting by the roadside. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Many sternly ordered him to be quiet, but he cried out even more loudly, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” Jesus stood still and said, “Call him here.” And they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take heart; get up, he is calling you.” So throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus. Then Jesus said to him, “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man said to him, “My teacher, let me see again.” Jesus said to him, “Go; your faith has made you well.” Immediately he regained his sight and followed him on the way. ~ Mark 10:46-52
One of the big themes in the Gospel of Mark is the notion of those who have eyes not being able to "see." and those who have ears not being able to "hear." Over and over Jesus shows who he is, and speaks about God's Kingdom to the religious leaders, but over and over again the scribes and the Pharisees and temple leaders don't hear or see or understand.
It is willful blindness.
And over and over again, those who truly see and hear are the ones that are perhaps least expected.
For instance, a blind man "sees' who Jesus is and not only sees, but springs up and runs to him.
The blind man runs to Jesus.
What is it that made him see when the religious leaders couldn't or wouldn't?
Why couldn't they see? Was it something in their tradition that made them think that it wasn't possible for this man, Jesus, to be the Messiah?
And what is it that can sometimes inhibit our seeing who Jesus is? What traditions might be keeping us from open eyes?
Open my eyes, Lord. I want to see Jesus. Amen
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