Draw the Outcasts Close
And as He was leaving Jericho with His
disciples and a great crowd, Bartimaeus, a blind beggar, the son of Timaeus,
was sitting by the roadside. And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth,
he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” And many
rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he cried out all the more, “Son of
David, have mercy on me!” – Mark 10:46-48
There is acceptable. And then there is unacceptable.
Ask any lifelong church member. There is an unwritten code of conduct that
demands a certain way of worshipping to all who enter.
It has nothing to do with Jesus. The Son of David came
to set us free of the constraints of those who demand we be silent. He came to
save us. He hears our cries for mercy and salvation. Jesus calls us closer even
as others – those self-righteous Christians with all their rules – push us
away.
I am blessed to attend a contemporary worship service
where coffee and “amens” and hands raised are normal. No one would dare do
those things during one of the traditional services. The condemning glances
would wither even a strong soul.
This is the church – loving though it is – that years
ago told a couple not to bring their special child to services anymore. She was
disruptive, they said. She talked when she wasn’t supposed to. She reminded
them that not all babies are born healthy and “normal”.
So they pulled away from church, from Jesus, when they
needed help the most. They withdrew into a world where their child was
accepted, even as that world grew smaller and smaller. No amount of love from
others could erase the rejection of those who should have loved with abandoned
acceptance.
Then there was the couple who attended another church
with their autistic toddler. The condemning comments and stares were like
daggers aimed at their hearts. They struggled to entertain him, to prevent
outbursts, to fit into the church that had been their home for so long. The weight
of it all led them in a futile search for somewhere, anywhere, where they could
worship and serve Jesus and not face the condemnation of those who claimed to
be His people.
The same scenario plays out in churches everywhere.
People are displeased by crying babies and bored kids. They are upset when
people cry out to God, actually go to the alter in tears, or when they don’t
dress the part. It has nothing to do with Jesus.
Jesus heard Bartimaeus. He called him close. Jesus
looked at this blind beggar, so desperate for help, and asked him what he wanted.
Jesus could easily have ignored Bartimaeus. He could have overlooked the beggar
as others rebuked Bartimaeus and told him to be silent. Instead, Jesus beckoned
him to come. Just like Jesus beckons us to come near.
And Jesus said to him, “What do you want me to do for you?” And the blind man
said to him, “Rabbi, let me recover my sight.” And Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your faith has made you well.” And
immediately he recovered his sight and followed him on the way. – Mark 10:51-52
Jesus healed much more than Bartimaeus’ eyesight. He healed
this beggar’s heart. He drew toward Him someone others had cast aside. Who are
you pointing a finger at? Who grates on your nerves as you worship Jesus? Beckon
them close. Embrace them. Be Jesus to those who need to feel loved and accepted
by their church family.
