The Healer of Jericho

The Rev. Dr. David R. Freeman

Mark 10:46-52

The passage of scripture before us today is significant for several reasons. Matthew and Luke, as well as Mark, relate this event in their gospel accounts. And both Mark and Matthew bring their portrayal of Jesus' public ministry to a conclusion as the events of Holy Week take center stage. Furthermore this act of healing by Jesus is his last. One other matter of significance involves a man named Bartimaeus whose life was radically changed as a result of this road-side, gospel event at the city limits of Jericho.

When Bartimaeus had gotten the attention of Jesus with his cries for mercy, the compassion of Jesus took charge, and he delayed his departure from Jericho in order to minister to this blind beggar. No surprise then or now in the action of Jesus. What is somewhat of a mystery is the question with which Jesus addressed Bartimaeus; "What do you want me to do for you?" (Mark 10:51). Jesus' question was not seeking information, rather he sought to establish a relationship with Bartimaeus, one that would forever change the blind man. We know, for instance, that his life would be altered in ways he had never imagined. He abandoned Jericho and followed Jesus on the road to Jerusalem. Might he have been among the crowds who shouted "Hosanna," welcoming Jesus as the "one who comes in the name of the Lord?" (11:9-10). And too, the fact that his name was remembered in the same early Christian fellowship from which Mark's gospel originated seems to indicate a continuing relationship with the early church.

Perhaps the key to understanding Jesus' question lies in the matter of faith. We know that Jesus perceived Bartimaeus to be a person of faith by which the blind man experienced healing. The question, then, may have been expressed this way, "What do you want ME to do for you?" The question is itself a call to faith, and this faith in Jesus Christ led to the healing. Maybe none of us will experience what plagued Bartimaeus, but we do have needs and do have the compassion of the Healer of Jericho. What do we want from the Healer? It is the relationship of faith that we share with Jesus and with Bartimaeus that brings us into the healing circle.

Prayer: Lord, strengthen our faith and grant us the healing we need. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

In over 50 years of ministry David Freeman has served Presbyterian congregations in Alabama, Virginia, Tennessee, Texas, and Mississippi. He and his wife, Mary, currently reside in Oxford, MS where he serves as parish associate of First Presbyterian Church. They are also my parents.

Adding It All Up

Mark 11:12-26

Our reading from the gospel today includes what is commonly referred to as “The Cleansing of the Temple.” This is one of a handful of accounts that appear in all four gospels in essentially the same form (Matthew 21:12-13, Mark 11:15-19, Luke 19:45-48, and John 2:13-17). Each tells the story of Jesus entering the temple in Jerusalem and driving out those who did business there, selling livestock or changing money. Quoting from the prophets Isaiah and Jeremiah, Jesus accuses these business people of changing the temple from a house of prayer into a haven for thieves. In short, worldly qualities and values had taken root within this most holy of places, where God’s presence alone was to be recognized.

Jesus’ response to the state of affairs in Jerusalem should not surprise us. As was often said of him, he was zealous for God’s will. But I wonder what Jesus might do were he to enter one of our congregations today. In fact, this is a question we all should struggle with. Financial concerns occupy a great deal of time for church leaders. Annual budgets, stewardship campaigns, endowments, investments, bequests, building loans, insurance policies, salaries, utilities and so forth are constant factors of church life. Have we turned our places of worship into erstwhile financial institutions? Well, frankly, we are probably more money conscious than we should be. Most spreadsheets leave little room for faith as a line item. But that doesn’t have to be the case. Giving, in and of itself, can and should be a form of spiritual discipline; a “get-to” not a “have-to” as it were. But it should not replace prayer, study, or active participation as our primary function.

In my opinion the congregations that worry the most about money are probably the ones in most danger of considering it to be essential for survival. Ultimately money should only be seen as a tool to do the work of the Lord, not as a reason for being. Financial well-being is important, but a Spirit-filled, Christ-centered group of people can accomplish great things with very little, as long as God is at work there.

Prayer: Lord, bless us with the tools we need in order to serve you most faithfully. And help us to use what we have wisely and generously. In Jesus’ name. Amen.