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 10:51-52)
So ends Mark’s long introduction to the story of Jesus’ Passion.
For ten fast-paced chapters Jesus and his disciples have been making a beeline for Jerusalem. Along the way there has been teaching and healings and confrontations with authorities. The disciples themselves have been amazed, astounded, and more than a little confused. Turn the page and Jesus parades into Jerusalem for the final act.
Not long before this healing of blind Bartimaeus here in chapter 10, Jesus healed another blind man, but that time it did not go so smoothly. Near the end of chapter 8, a blind man is brought to Jesus, and it takes Jesus two tries to fully heal his blindness. If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.
In between helping these two blind men see, Mark tells the story of the Transfiguration, Jesus predicts his death and resurrection three times, and the disciples misunderstand what Jesus is saying three times.
I get the feeling Mark is asking us, “Do you see?” Do we see what Jesus is all about? Do we see what it means to love God and love our neighbor as ourselves? And what do we not see?
In between these two healings, Jesus talks a lot about serving others, and humility, and the first shall be last and the last shall be first. These were hard lessons for the disciples, and they are hard lessons for us. Jesus wants to open our eyes so that we can truly see what the kingdom of God is like.
Do you see?
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