Mark 10:46-52
Lead in: Scholar Peter Nixon makes a good point. With the political climate the way it was under the oppression of Rome, one wonders if the crowd following Jesus out of Jericho may have been expecting a “triumphant march on Jerusalem.” It’s no wonder that the crowd rebukes the blind beggar Bartimaeus who is crying out for Jesus. Don’t bother him. He’s got more important things to do! He’s on his way to Jerusalem to restore the glory of Israel. Yet, Jesus takes time to stop for this lowly panhandler who can’t see.
Prompt: Reflect on a time when someone took time to reach out to you in your time of need.
Prompt: Reflect on a time when an interruption made it inconvenient to make time to help another. How did you respond?
Lead in: The blind beggar Bartimaeus creates a scene by calling out to Jeus. He’s told to be quiet but yells all the louder. This outsider whom no one really cares about is desperate.
Prompt: Reflect on a time when the situation was so bleak, your last hope was to cry out for help. What happened when you did?
Lead in: If we look closely, we’ll still see the Bartimaeuses of the world who sit at the side of the road. There are those who see them as “nobodies” who are in the way. But it’s not so in the kingdom that Jesus speaks of. It’s a kingdom where even a blind panhandler like Bartimaeus has infinite worth. Sensing this, Bartimaeus follows Jesus “on the way”.
Prompt: Who have been the mentors who have helped you to follow Jesus “on the way”?
Prompt: Where have you seen a Bartimaeus on the side of the road that you were tempted to pass by?
Lead in: After Jesus heals Bartimaeus, he tells him, “Go, your faith has saved you.” The faith Jesus is talking about means trusting that God will do what is best, which may not be what you want.
Prompt: When you pray, when is it hardest for you to trust that God will do what is best, which may not be what you want?
Lead in: Their exile in Babylon was a dark time for the people of Israel. The words of the prophet Jeremiah offer encouragement for the Israelites who feel abandoned.
Prompt: Who has been your “encourager”, the person who’s been there for you when you were most in need of help?
