Being Blind and Seeing

Seeing and not seeing are the big themes in our readings this week. Job’s friends were so busy defending their idea of God they became blind to Job and did not take the time to pray to God with Job in his despair. Job too is blind, basing his ideas of God on what he has heard. But he at least is willing to engage with God, and is rewarded with sight. Seeing God is dangerous stuff. It shakes him out of all he thought he knew and he recants all he said and all he held dear - they are but dust and ashes.

The disciples too have been so blind. Since the first blind man was symbolically healed in Mark 8: 22-26,  they, like that man, have been seeing people walking like trees. Despite Jesus’ threefold teaching about his impending death and resurrection, Peter rebukes and is rebuked; James and John ask for greatness and power. Bartimaeus might be blind, but he can see Jesus for who he is. And he will not let those around him not see him. He cries out defiantly claiming his personhood. He counters the “hillbilly Jesus” by being the first to give him the dangerous title of “Son of David” – a title soon to be repeated as they parade into Jerusalem. Unlike the more famous group above, it is Bartimaeus who offers us the picture of the true disciple.

Who do we not see? When are we so busy defending our idea of God that we cannot see? If Jesus were to ask us what we desired of him, would we have the courage to ask to see?