Mark 10:46-52

Blind Bartimaeus; poor Blind Bartimaeus. Some say it as if "blind" were his first name. The name "Bartimaeus" literally means the son of Timaeus, or son of uncleanness. We don't know how long he had been blind. Apparently he could see at one time. I imagine it may have been most of his life.

Imagine what it must have been like to be blind in Jesus' day. It certainly isn't easy now, but it was much harder back then. Back then they didn't have canes for the blind or seeing eye dogs. Back then they didn't have State offices of Vocational Rehabilitation or a Federation for the blind. The blind were forced to beg in the streets. A blind person couldn't work in the fields or work a trade. And no one wanted to take the time to try to teach them. There was no Braille or taped books. Bartimaeus probably had to depend on others for everything. He begged for the money to buy his food. He had to trust some friend to keep track of his money for him. He had to rely on someone else to lead him to a street corner to beg and then to lead him home again. Bartimaeus was a prisoner to his blindness. He couldn't leave his house without an escort. And he had to rely on others to meet his daily needs.

Bartimaeus lived his life in darkness. Not just the darkness of eyes that cannot see. But the darkness of a life with no hope. His life was a dark existence of wandering aimlessly. He was in a prison whose walls were very real even though he could not see them. Blind Bartimaeus; poor Blind Bartimaeus.

When we meet Bartimaeus in the Gospel of Mark he was doing what he did every day: begging. But this was the high point of the begging season. The Passover was approaching and many pilgrims were coming through Jericho on their way to Jerusalem only 15 miles away. Religious people on a pilgrimage were generous. So there Bartimaeus sat in darkness begging gifts from strangers. He would call to the passers by: "Sons of Abraham, have mercy on a blind beggar." "God blesses those who show mercy to the needy." "The God of Mercies loves the merciful." He would call blindly into the crowd hoping someone would hear.

On this particular day Jesus and his disciples were on their way to the Passover and they were passing through Jericho. Bartimaeus had heard of Jesus, of his teachings and his healings. When Bartimaeus heard that Jesus was passing by he began to hope. "Could this man of God heal me?" "If he is truly the prophet that people said he is, if he is the Messiah as some say he is, he can heal me." But how does a blind man find a stranger in a crowd of travelers passing by. Jesus was his hope, but he had little hope of finding Jesus. He couldn't see the way to go, but he could shout.

So Bartimaeus raised his voice. "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me. Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me." One of the people in the crowd rebuked him; "The Rabbi is on his way to Jerusalem." "He doesn't want to stop to give you a coin." But he continued, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" Jesus heard him. Jesus knew that he was more than a beggar seeking silver. This cry for mercy came from deep inside the man calling.

So Jesus called Bartimaeus to him and asked him, "What do you want?" The people probably expected him to ask for money, but instead he said, "I want to see again." Jesus said, "Your faith has made you whole." At that moment Blind Bartimaeus could see. Blind Bartimaeus was no longer blind. The Son of Timaeus could see." Jesus had brought light to Bartimaeus' darkened world.

Bartimaeus was not the only blind person in that crowd. Many of the people on that road that day were blind. Sure they could see with their eyes, but like Bartimaeus they were dwelling in darkness. They had no idea where Jesus was headed and what he would do when he got there. They had the light of God, Jesus, right there in their midst. And they were blind to his presence.

The people thought Jesus was going to Jerusalem. He was on the road that leads to Jerusalem and Jerusalem was a popular destination for the religious at that time of year. But Jerusalem was not Jesus' final destination. They though that when Jesus got to Jerusalem he would go to the temple and then the palace. And he would go to both places, but he was on the way somewhere else. They thought Jesus would end his journey on a throne, but to there surprise that throne was on the other side of the tombs from Jerusalem.

The author of light and life was walking through their town and only one would ask to see him. People did make requests of Jesus. They said, "Jesus, tell me, can a man divorce his wife." "Jesus, can my brother and I sit at your right and left hand when you are the king?" "Jesus, what will happen in Jerusalem? What you gonna do to Herod when you're the king." Only one said, "Teacher, let me see." Only one asked Jesus to give light to his darkened eyes.

Many today are blind. They are blind but they don't know it. They are so blind they are blind to their blindness. The people on that road to Jericho had the source of eternal light and heavenly vision in their midst and they could not see. Today people are lost without direction. They wander through life as if they were blind. Most people are blind to the very presence Spirit of God.

Jesus walks into the darkness of our world just as he did that day in Jericho. Most people miss the significance of his entry. He appears to be just another religious person walking down the road with so many other religious people. He is just another prophet or saint, or miracle worker. Some come asking for mercy. "Jesus, Son of Abraham, you look like as nice man. Could you spare a dime?"

But then some recognize that Jesus is someone more. Jesus, the descendant of David, is God's chosen king. And one of the blind sons or daughters of uncleanness cries out. "Jesus Son of David have mercy on me." Jesus knows that this is more than someone seeking silver. Jesus says, "What do you want from me?" And the child of uncleanness replies, "Let me see." Through faith the blind become the seeing.

Jesus the author of light is passing by here today. Have you heard of him? Some say he is God's chosen king. They say he has wisdom greater than all our scholars. They even say he can raise the dead. It is reported that he gives sight to the blind.

As he passes by what will you do? Will you ask for the answer to some theological question? "Jesus, a woman had seven husbands. In the resurrection which will be her spouse?" Will you request the solution to a moral dilemma: "May a man divorce his wife?" Will you ask for some goodie, "Jesus, buddy, can you spare a dime?" Or will you ask him to let you see?

Jesus the author of light is passing by here today. This room is full of light. I am not talking about the light of 300 watt light bulbs. I am talking about the light of God's love and hope: the light of life and meaning, the light of eternal purpose, the light of Jesus Christ the Son of God. Do you see it? If you can't see the light you must be blind. But don't worry, Jesus, the one who gives sight, is here. Just call on his mercy and you shall see the Son of God.

Job 42:1-6

When I was in college I was introduced to the Problem of Evil on a philosophical level. Briefly the problem is this: If God is all knowing, all powerful, and all loving, then why does evil exist? Put in every day language "Why does God allow bad things to happen to good people?" Think about it. If God loves us, as we believe God does, and God is able to do everything, and God knows of our suffering as we know God does, then why does God allow the righteous or innocent to suffer? Atheists argue that this is proof that there is no God. If there were a God they argue then the righteous would not suffer. And the innocent would not be the victims of evil. Babies would not suffer from painful birth defects, and evil people would not kill righteous people.

For a long time the "problem of evil" was nothing more than an interesting theological and philosophical puzzle for me. But one day this problem came home to me, and it became painfully real. It became real as I wrestled with the pain that Melissa's disabilities caused her. I don't remember the exact incident that brought the problem of evil home to me. Perhaps that was the day that I saw a rainbow and Melissa was not able to see it. Maybe it was one of those times that Melissa was passed by for a promotion or a job and we had a gnawing suspicion or even a certain knowledge that it was because of her disabilities. Maybe it was a time when Melissa wanted desperately to drive a car, but couldn't. Maybe it was a combination of these any many other incidents.

At that point the problem of evil ceased to be "Why do bad things happen to good people?", and it became "Why does God allow Melissa to suffer?" Melissa was only 3 1/2 when she lost much of her hearing and eyesight. She couldn't have done anything to warrant punishment at that age. It couldn't have been a punishment for something her parents did. Only an evil god would smite an innocent child for her parent's sins. It definitely can't be for lack of people praying for her.

Don't feel sorry for Melissa. She doesn't want people feeling sorry for her. And I wasn't feeling sorry for her either. I was angry - angry with God! Why did God allow this to happen, and why didn't God do something about it - now?

I imagine this in some small way is how Job felt. Get this straight; Job was a righteous man. In Job 1:8 God says Job is a "blameless and upright man." And Job was faithful to God through tests that many of us would fail. In one day Job lost his family and his property. His reply was "The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away, blessed be the name of the Lord." Then Job lost his health. Satan struck him with sores all over his body. He was forced to sit in the city dump and scrape his sores. Even his wife told him to curse God and die. But he said, "Shall we receive good health from God, and not the bad." Most righteous people would have cursed God long before this point.

Now Job's friends knew why he was suffering, or they thought they did. He had sinned against God they thought. The only solution to his dilemma was to confess that sin. So they came to Job and tried to reason with him. But Job defended himself; "I am innocent!" For thirty-five chapters they argue back and forth.

Job wasn't just arguing with his friends, he was arguing with God. Job knew he had done nothing wrong, then why was he suffering? Job wanted God's actions to be justified somehow. Even the righteous get angry with God sometimes. Don't feel sorry for Job. He wasn't feeling sorry for himself. He was angry! Why? Why did God let this happen to him and why didn't God do something about it?

You know God was aware of Job's question. So once all these humans had finished flapping their gums, God appeared. Out of a whirlwind God spoke to Job. And God said, "How dare you question me! Who are you to demand an explanation for my actions? It was I who created you not you who created me. Do you know how this world works so well that you can tell me how to run things?"

Job was humbled, but God went on. "Look, when you can cloth yourself in glory, then I will listen to you. When you have the ability to lift up the righteous and bind the wicked in eternal darkness, then I will hear you. When you have the power and wisdom to rule this universe, then will be your time to speak."

In humility Job replied. "I know you are able to do anything that you set your mind to do. I have offered opinions about things I know nothing about. And I have demanded explanations for things that are beyond my understanding. I am sorry; I failed to trust you and your majesty."

So what is the solution to the problem of evil? I don't know. Why did God let Job suffer? I can tell you the story in the Bible, but I cannot explain or justify God's actions. And why does God let Melissa suffer? Beats me. I am too little to understand such great things.

I don't know why our all powerful, all knowing and all loving God allows bad thing to happen to good people. But this I do know. "He's got the whole world in his hands. He's got the brothers and the sisters in his hands. He's got Job and Melissa in his hands. He's got the whole world in his hands."

I know something else. The mind that controls those hands is more loving and just than I can even imagine. Perhaps that is enough. I can't possibly understand the intricacies of the way God runs the world. But I can trust God to run it in the most loving and merciful way possible.

We have all been in Job's shoes. It is true that few have suffered as much as him but we have all suffered. And sometimes the cause of that suffering is beyond our comprehension. If you are suffering I can't offer you any final explanation. Such things are too big and wonderful for me to understand. I can't offer a solution to the problem of evil, but I can offer you a Savior.

His name is Jesus: son of Mary, Son of God. He was innocent of any wrongdoing or sin. Yet he suffered beyond belief. He was nailed to a cross and suffered the punishment we deserved.

Jesus is the Son of the same all-powerful, all knowing, and all loving God who spoke to Job. Simply cast your suffering upon him. Put your life in his hands. Trust God in Christ and Jesus will see you through it.