I know you’ve all experienced a parade and a marching band. It can be quite loud. The crowd there may obstruct the view of the float, the ride, the person you had hoped to see in the chaos. And in our current crisis, you may feel a struggle to see Jesus…to think He even hears your voice.
It reminds me of a terrific story of faith in Mark 10:46-52. A blind man named Bartimaeus (I’ll call him Bart) sits by the road when a great crowd comes in front of him. In the middle of the loud, dusty, boisterous group is Jesus. He is leaving Jericho on his way to Jerusalem to give his life for you and me.
But Bartimaeus’ lack of eyesight and seemingly small, frail voice on the day did not deter him from connecting to Jesus. There are certainly some things we can learn from him as we try to hear the voice of peace in our own lives.
Bart’s life was not perfect. Most people did not even pay him any mind. But we learn that one’s life doesn’t have to be perfect to follow Jesus. Some of us try to get everything in order first, then run after the rabbi from Nazareth. But Jesus has already said come to me and I will give you rest.
We also need to concentrate on what we have rather than what we don’t have. Bart could have resolved to wallow in self pity about his eyesight but he decided to focus on what he had instead. He also chose not to be swayed by public opinion. The crowd was telling him to be quiet. “Why would the King of kings want to talk to you?” Bart paid them no mind and repeatedly called out to Jesus. He needed a miracle but there are those who would try to quiet you in your faith as well.
There are three kinds of voices that I’ve discovered try to still my faith in my risen Savior. One is the faith-sucker. People who try to tell you it’s no use. Jesus isn’t going to listen to you. There is also the faith-intimidator. Those people who try to bully you into believing something other than Jesus wants to know you and to be with you. And finally, the faith-mocker. Those are the people who make fun of your faith in Jesus, the miracle-worker. Faith can look silly to the world. But we know faith believes God is going to do something that just hasn’t happened yet.
Eventually, Bart throws off his coat in order to get to Jesus. It begs me to ask the question, “What do you need to throw off to get to Jesus?” Could it be pride and faith in yourself rather than faith you should have in Jesus? Could it be anger and resentment for our current crisis? Maybe it’s the worry and anxious spirit the current situation has created within you. I don’t know what it is but throw it off and embrace Jesus.
This story reminds me that even when there is noise…a crowd…a “band”…Jesus hears the cries of desperate people. And he hears your cries as well. Know Jesus hears your voice through the noise. He’s reaching out his hand to you. He wants to give you his peace, his love, his forgiveness, his companionship. Respond by going to him. He’s waiting. Blessings on the journey.