The context around this scene is interesting. Jesus is on his way to Jerusalem to stand up to injustices being perpetrated by those in power in the Temple State. Whereas the rich young man walks away from Jesus, Bartimaeus joins and follows him, casting his lot for Jesus’ kingdom. Ched Myers comments on what this might mean: “The poor join in the final assault on the dominant idealogical order, and the rich have walked downcast away. The first have become last and the last have become first” (Ched Myers, Binding the Strong Man, p. 282).
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As in the story of the woman with the issue of blood in Mark 5, the crowd in this story is in the way again. Bartimaeus must overcome all obstructions in persistently gaining Jesus’ attention. Then, once he gains Jesus’ attention, Mark’s gospel contrasts Bartimaeus with Jesus own disciples.
In Mark 10:36, Jesus asked James and John, “What do you want me to do for you?” They want to sit at Jesus’ left and the right hand in the kingdom: positions of status and privilege. That’s not what Jesus is about, however, and so it’s not surprising that this is the same question that he asks Bartimaeus later in the chapter.
In Mark 10:51, Jesus ask Bartimaeus, “What do you want me to do for you?” Bartimaeus’ answer is very different than the disciples’. He doesn’t ask for status or privilege, he simply wants to see, and Jesus responds, “Your faith has healed you.”
I’m not a fan of when the gospels use disabilities as metaphors for something negative. No matter how we try to explain it, using blindness as a pejorative will always define those who live with physical blindness as “less than.” The gospels are a product of their time. And today, when it comes to ableist narratives we may find in the gospels, we can and must do better.
As I consider the disciples’ request for positions of power, privilege, and status, I can’t help but think of many on the Christian nationalists today who are reaching for the same. I can’t help but see the contrast today between the goals of White Christian nationalism and Bartimaeus saying that he just wanted to see.
Do we want status, celebrity, fame, or do we want to see? Do we want power to enforce our dogmas or do we want wisdom? Discernment, perception, and understanding rather than imposing our definitions of morality on others will enable us to work for others’ liberation and achieve a world that is safe, compassionate, and a just home for everyone.
How do we gain this kind of shift in our perception and understanding? We’ll look at one possible way, next.
(Read Part 3)
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