I Want to See

Gospel: Mark 10: 46-52 

Jesus is making his way toward Jerusalem where he will face arrest, trial, torture, and execution.  His final stop along the way is the city of Jericho, where a blind man calls out to him for help.  People try to prevent the encounter, as in so many other instances, but Jesus insists on meeting him.  The blind man, named Bartimaeus comes forward, and Jesus asks him, What do you want me to do for you?  Though it seems obvious, Bartimaeus replies, I want to see.

The question may seem obvious, but Jesus is asking him - and us - Do you really want to see what is to come?  My own disciples do not want to see it.  I have been trying to tell them what is coming: my arrest, trial, torture, and execution.  They would rather argue about who is more important among them than this reality to come.  So, I ask you again: what do you want me to do for you?  Do you really want to see these events of the passion?

To his credit, Bartimaeus picks up his things and follows the Lord onward to Jerusalem.  In his first days of having eyesight he will see the drama of redemption.  When we have our spiritual blindness removed from us, this same fundamental kerygma of our faith should be the first thing we see:  the reality that I am a sinner, the reality that Jesus has provided a way for me out of that predicament, and that it is my role as a disciple, like Bartimaeus, to gather my things and follow the Lord on his way.