Longing for More

Have you ever longed for anything or anyone?

Have you ever longed more for it?

I am in the midst of reading a book called, "Sacred Rhythms" by Ruth Haley Barton and she shared the story about Jesus' encounter with blind Bartimaeus on the Jericho road (Mark 10:46-52).  We do not know how long Bartimaeus had been begging along the side of the road or even on this particular day how long he was there.  But this day, Bartimaeus heard that Jesus was passing by.  On this day, maybe Jesus could do something for him that no one else has ever been able to do.  On this day, maybe just maybe Jesus could do what Bartimaeus had been hoping for and dreaming of for a very long, long time.

This day was very noisy and very crowded that it would have been very difficult to get someone's attention.  Imagine with me that you are at a basketball game.  The stands are packed with fans.  Everyone is yelling and cheering.  How would you get the attention of the head referee?  In order for Bartimaeus to get Jesus' attention above the noise of the crowd, he had to go deep inside himself in order to cry out from that place, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!"  The people near Bartimeaus tried to shut him up but yet he cried out all the more.  Stop and imagine how that would sound to you.  Imagine yourself in your own place of need.  How do you approach Jesus or try to get his attention?  What words would you use?  What emotions do you feel?

Jesus heard Bartimaeus.  Bartimeaus' soul cry captured the attention of Jesus.  Now imagine Jesus walking along the road to Jericho with his disciples and this large crowd, with the noise levels so high it's hard to hear the person beside you let alone someone calling out.  Yet this soul cry caught Jesus' attention.  Jesus stopped walking.  Do you think the crowd became so quiet you could hear a pin drop?  He turned to look at Bartimeaus.  May had to walk to where Bartimeaus was standing.  Jesus asks, "What do you want me to do for you?"  This question required Bartimeaus to name his desire.

This parallels another story of a paralyzed man at the Pool of Bethesda (John 5:6-9).  Jesus asks him, "Do you want to be made well?"  How bad do you want it?  Do you want it bad enough to do something about it?  At first the paralyzed man made excuses but then wanted it bad enough that he did was Jesus told him to do which opened up the man to experience Jesus' healing power.

Imagine in your cry out to Jesus that Jesus turns to you.  You are face to face with one another.  Jesus asks, "What do you want me to do for you?"  Allow yourself to feel how deep your desire goes.  Do not be afraid of the emotions.  Simply relish the intimacy and richness that comes when we are able to "be with what is" in God's presence.