A Sermon delivered on October 27, 2024 by Rev. Dr. Patrick H. Wrisley
If you were Jewish and heard the city of Jericho, what comes to mind? You would remember that Jericho was the first city the Israelite’s came to as they entered the Promised Land after Moses died. Jericho was their first military triumph as they began to live into a new phase in their relationship with the Lord. And do you remember who led the Israelite’s over the Jordan river to capture the city of Jericho? God’s appointed leader, Joshua. Joshua is the leader of twelve tribes of nomadic Hebrews who leads them across the river to become the pioneering settlers who make up the new nation of Israel. This morning, we are back in Jericho as Jesus is making his way up to Jerusalem. And, oh, and what is Jesus’ Hebrew name again? Oh, that is right, it is Joshua. Friends, Mark is trying to get our attention.
This section of the Story in Mark’s gospel began at Mark 8:22. It was where we were first introduced to another blind man in the village of Bethsaida. In between these two stories of blind men is a series of teaching and events that have highlighted who Jesus is and the purpose of his coming. If we want to know Jesus’ identity and purpose for coming, we are to read the stories sandwiched between these two blind men healing stories.
Jesus has made it clear what was about to take place and what he came to do. Three times he tells his disciples about the events to come. He says, “The Son of Man must undergo great suffering. He will be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes. He will be killed. After three days, he will rise again.”[1] The first time Jesus reveals his identity and purpose, Peter rebuked him. The second time he reveals his identity and purpose, the disciples immediately began to bicker amongst themselves. They argued about which one of the Twelve was the greatest disciple. The third time Jesus reveals his identity and purpose, the Zebedee brothers began talking about which one of them was going to be the new boss when Jesus comes into his glory. In each instance, those who plainly see and hear everything Jesus did were blind to his true identity. They did not recognize who Jesus was. With a flair of irony, Mark has the blind ones who see Jesus. As New Testament scholar and Episcopal priest, Andrew K. Adam writes, “Mark deploys these healing stories to underline the contrast between outsiders who see Jesus and insiders who remain blind to his true identity.”[2]
This brings us to our reading from Mark 10 this morning. We will start with verse 46; listen to the Word of the Lord.
Mark 10:46-52
46They 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. 47When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” 48Many sternly ordered him to be quiet, but he cried out even more loudly, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” 49Jesus stood still and said, “Call him here.” And they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take heart; get up, he is calling you.” 50So throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus. 51Then Jesus said to him, “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man said to him, “My teacher, let me see again.” 52Jesus said to him, “Go; your faith has made you well.” Immediately he regained his sight and followed him on the way (NRSV).
Mark is a clever writer. Jesus just instructed the Twelve to be servants of all and then gives us an object lesson on what that means. We find Bartimaeus sitting beside the road begging from passerby’s who are making a religious pilgrimage to Jerusalem for the upcoming Passover celebrations. He is a man who relies one hundred percent on the help of other people. Bartimaeus, blind beggar that he was, is pitied by some or is just a social nuisance in the eyes of others. He relies on the grace and kindness from those around him just to survive. Every single time he opens his mouth he is forming a prayer for someone to help him. We hear how people answered his pleas for help as they were on their way to Jerusalem for their religious observances: They yelled at him to shut up and be quiet. The good religious folk were blind to his needs. Alas, Bartimaeus will not be ignored. He shouts even more loudly, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”
There in the midst of a thronging crowd, eight words spoken by a social castoff stopped Jesus in his tracks. Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me. This man’s cry for help is heard above the din of the pushing crowd. Why? I am sure a lot of people were yelling things at Jesus so why did Jesus stop now? Because Bartimaeus saw in Jesus the one no one else see except the demons and evil spirits throughout Mark’s gospel. Peter gave us some hope back in chapter 8 when he called Jesus, the Christ, but then quickly proved he did not understand what that meant. Blind Bartimaeus saw it at once.
“Son of David.” Finally, someone clearly named who Jesus was! Son of David. Not only is Jesus, Joshua, leading the people to a new life, but we learn Jesus is seen by Bartimaeus as the Son of David. The term Son of David is not a throw-away line in Mark’s Story. The term is used for the long-awaited Davidic king who would deliver the people from Gentile occupation and establish a great nation. Son of David is a royal title indicating this king is of David’s lineage.[3]This man’s prayer, simple as it was, got Jesus’ rapt attention. We can learn much from these 8 words.
The Apostle Paul in 1 Thessalonians 5:17 implores the church to pray without ceasing. Well, that is easier said than done quite frankly in today’s frenetic pace of life. If only there was a prayer that we knew that would get Jesus’ attention and get an answer. If only I knew a prayer that would help me pray throughout the day. Beloved, we know of such a prayer, don’t we?
Jesus, Son of David, have mercy upon me. Eight words. Bartimaeus gives us a prayer that Jesus responds to as well as words that will enable us to pray without ceasing. Jesus, Son of David, have mercy upon me. For centuries, the Church have referred to Bartimaeus’ eight words as the Jesus Prayer, or the Prayer of the Heart. It is used to help disciples keep the presence of God in the forefront of their mind.
The Orthodox will pray a type of rosary called a chotki made of knotted wool rope. With each knot their fingers touch, the say the prayer, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy upon me.” Then they touch the next knot and repeat the process until they pray through the whole rosary. Orthodox chotkis, prayer cords, usually have 104 knots to pray through. The idea is to pray it so that it becomes a part of your breathing. As you sit to pray, you breath in, “Jesus, Son of David,” and then you exhale, “have mercy on me.” You then breath in and out this prayer quietly for a period you wish to pray. Over time, it becomes an unconscious habit of praying throughout the day.
I do not carry a chotki around per se. However, as I showed the boys last week in the children’s message, I do carry a compass with a little string on it. Throughout the day, I will reach down into my right pocket and fondle the compass and silently pray, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me.” If I am in a tense meeting, I will reach down for my compass and pray as the other person is speaking. Whether walking in the mall or sitting in a doctor’s waiting room, the Jesus Prayer just comes from within. I used to have a problem with rage. My praying the Jesus Prayer over the years has gotten rid of it. It forces me to slow my breathing down and give God attention.
What can you use to become a reminder to quietly pray the Prayer of the Heart? Perhaps, it is a ring you wear or a cross on your necklace. It does not matter what it is. The important thing is that it is a reminder to you to go to the Lord in prayer. The more you do it, the more it becomes a part of who you are. It just bubbles out like spring water from your heart. This is why it is called, The Prayer of the Heart.
Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me. A prayer you can say in one breath. It certainly got Jesus’ attention. When it does, he will stop in his tracks. He will look at you and sweetly say your name, “What is it you want me to do for you?” I invite you to join me in this adventure of praying without ceasing! It will transform you, I promise. Amen.
© October 20, 2024, by Patrick H. Wrisley. Sermon manuscripts are available for the edification of members and friends of First Presbyterian Church of Glens Falls, NY, and not be altered, re-purposed, published, or preached without permission. All rights reserved.
[1] So, Mark 8:31. See also Mark 9.30-32, 10.32-34.
[2] Article written by A.K.A. Adam in Feasting on the Word: Year B, Volume 4: Season after Pentecost 2 (Propers 17-Reign of Christ) (Feasting on the Word: Year B volume) by David L. Bartlett, Barbara Brown Taylor. See https://a.co/hYFe3Ot
[3] See 2 Samuel 7:8-17: Now therefore thus you shall say to my servant David: Thus says the Lord of hosts: I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep to be prince over my people Israel; and I have been with you wherever you went, and have cut off all your enemies from before you; and I will make for you a great name, like the name of the great ones of the earth. And I will appoint a place for my people Israel and will plant them, so that they may live in their own place, and be disturbed no more; and evildoers shall afflict them no more, as formerly, from the time that I appointed judges over my people Israel; and I will give you rest from all your enemies. Moreover the Lord declares to you that the Lord will make you a house. When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your ancestors, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come forth from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. I will be a father to him, and he shall be a son to me. When he commits iniquity, I will punish him with a rod such as mortals use, with blows inflicted by human beings. But I will not take my steadfast love from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away from before you. Your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me; your throne shall be established forever. In accordance with all these words and with all this vision, Nathan spoke to David.
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