Mark 10:46 They came to Yericho; and as Yeshua was leaving Yericho with his talmidim and a great crowd, a blind beggar, Bar-Timai (son of Timai), was sitting by the side of the road. 47 When he heard that it was Yeshua from Natzeret, he started shouting, “Yeshua! Son of David! Have pity on me!” 48 Many people scolded him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the louder, “Son of David! Have pity on me!” 49 Yeshua stopped and said, “Call him over!” They called to the blind man, “Courage! Get up! He’s calling for you!” 50 Throwing down his blanket, he jumped up and came over to Yeshua. 51 “What do you want me to do for you?” asked Yeshua. The blind man said to him, “Rabbi, let me be able to see again.” 52 Yeshua said to him, “Go! Your trust has healed you.” Instantly he received his sight and followed him on the road. (Complete Jewish Bible).
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Merriam-Webster suggests the phrase originated in 1990 but let's give Blind Bartimaeus credit for his many-centuries-earlier, exceedingly hope-full "shout-out"--his "brief expression of greeting or praise (given especially on a broadcast or audio recording)." As our Jerry Springer-like scene opens, B.B. greets Jesus while the studio audience yells, "Shut up! This is 'Jesus the C' in the house! B.B., how dare you??" (Of course, their "C" stands for "Celebrity.")
In first-century Palestine, blindness guaranteed only a life of extreme poverty, a life reduced to begging, lived completely dependent on the mercy and generosity of others. And unless one's blindness was self-correcting, there was no hope, no cure in sight. Little wonder healing the blind was one sign of the promised Messiah. In fact, when Jesus announced his ministry start-up (see Luke 4:18-19), the "top five" impacts of his coming included said healing. Now who's in the Springer spotlight?! And what will tomorrow's episode deliver?
May our eyes see with and through as much hope as one blind man along Jesus' way, Lord God. Amen.
Keith Muschinske, '89
Chaplain, USAF, Retired, Eagle River, Alaska
Mark 10:46 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.47 When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout out and say, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!"
48 Many sternly ordered him to be quiet, but he cried out even more loudly, "Son of David, have mercy on me!"
49 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."
50 So throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus.
51 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."
52 Jesus said to him, "Go; your faith has made you well." Immediately he regained his sight and followed him on the way. (New Revised Standard Version).
The Luther Seminary
2481 Como Avenue
Saint Paul, Minnesota 55108, United States
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