Wednesday, October 13, 1999
Wednesday, October 13, 1999
They came to Jericho. As he and his disciples and a large crowd were leaving
Jericho, Bartimaeus son of Timaeus, a blind beggar, was sitting by the roadside.
But regardless, as Jesus was leaving the city he encountered some of those desperate people with
nowhere else to turn. Let me describe this to you. Ancient cities were surrounded by a wall to
protect them from attack. At nightfall the gates in the wall would be closed for security. During
the day, you could always find beggars just outside these gates. They were the forgotten people,
cut off from their family and friends. Their only hope was that a stranger passing through might
stop, take pity on them, and give them something to eat or possibly even a few coins. The
situation was not unlike our present problem with the homeless living in the streets of our cities.
And, like today, the beggars back then were an embarrassment to most people. They weren't
what residents wanted important visitors like Jesus to see, but Jesus did see them.
(Mark 10:46
NRSV)
At one point Jesus and his disciples were passing through the city of Jericho, a beautiful city some
fifteen miles northeast of Jerusalem. Jesus was at the height of his popularity, and great crowds
greeted him. Although we don't know for sure, perhaps Jesus spent a day in Jericho teaching,
which might explain why the people were so excited about having him visit their city.
Dear God, open my eyes that I am see. Amen.
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