Epiphany-the Wonder of Sight

This Epiphany season we are exploring some of the wonder around us that speaks of God.  Each week we’ll take a different sense (sight, hearing, smell, touch, taste) and consider a Bible story that emphasizes that sense. This week, ‘sight’ is the focus. Like the Magi, we see Wonder all around and it tells of God in action. For the Magi, the star told of the birth. What do you see in your world that reminds you of God? A sunrise? Snow on the mountains? A bird flying by? Friends? Family?

But…what if you couldn’t see all those things? In the Gospel of Mark, (Mark 10:46-52) we meet Bartimaeus of Jericho. This man was sitting by the side of the road, begging for handouts to support himself. In the culture of the time, his blindness was a sign that he or his parents were sinners, so the only thing he could do to earn a living was beg. People passing by could get credit for a good deed (a mitzvah) by giving him something.

Clearly the son of Timaeus (that’s what Bar-Timaeus means) was not content with his lot in life. When he hears that Jesus is near, he starts shouting, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Despite rebukes by the crowd, he continues to shout for attention. Jesus hears him and calls for him.

“What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asks.

Bartimaeus responds, “My teacher, let me see again.”

Jesus’ response is compassion. “'Go; your faith has made you well.' Immediately he regained his sight and followed him on the way."

Notice that Bartimaeus has not always been blind. Somehow, he has lost his sight and knows what is missing. He can’t see the beauty around him, his wife’s face, his children’s smiles, the sun in the sky, or the dust of the road.

We, too, can lose sight of what is important. Perhaps it’s busy-ness that keeps us from really seeing our loved ones. Maybe it’s depression or sorrow that has made us blind to joy and beauty. Could be that we’ve just quit looking for God in the day-to-day?  

Suddenly, we can come to the realization that something is missing. Whether we are physically blind or just blind about something, we call out to Jesus. Then we might just hear Jesus ask, “What do you want me to do for you?” If your answer is, “Lord I want to see,” then you will discover that the eyes of your heart will be opened to see God all around once more.

If you are feeling like you’ve lost sight of your relationship with Jesus, and are floundering around blindly-don’t hesitate, call out because Jesus hears us when we call and ask to regain our sight. This new year could be the perfect time to quit sitting by the side of the road and start seeing again!

Next week it’s the sense of hearing that we’ll think about.