“Master, I want to see.”
In last week’s Gospel, James and John ask Jesus, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you” to which Jesus replies, “What do you wish [me] to do for you?” They said that they wanted to sit at His right and left when he came into His glory. Jesus reminds them that the kingdom of God is not about them and their desire for glory. They should desire to serve, not to be served.
Today, Bartimaeus calls out, “Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me.” He recognizes that people regard him and his family as horrible sinners because he was born blind and that he is destined for a life of begging and isolation. Unlike James and John, Bartimaeus is not making demands of Jesus, but is simply seeking his mercy. His request for pity is more like a prayer than a request. Jesus asks him, “What do you want me to do for you?” Bartimaeus answers, “Master, I want to see.” He is not seeking personal glory, but only the same basic ability to see that almost everyone else has.
Despite their physical sight, James and John were blind to Christ’s mission and their role in that mission. On the other hand, although Bartimaeus was physically blind, his sharp spiritual vision enabled him to understand and appreciate Jesus far better than James and John. His deep faith caused him to approach Jesus with heartfelt humility, to be persistent even when he was told to be quiet, and to ask for something that would transform his life. He does not want a place of honor, he simply wants to see.
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