Proper 25
Mark 10:46-52
There is a method of Biblical analysis called form criticism. Form criticism. Criticism not in the sense of a negative put down, but in the general sense of analysis. It grows out of the awareness that stories in the Bible tend to fall into distinct categories and within each category the stories follow a typical form or pattern.
For example, there are miracle stories. And at least most of the miracle stories follow the same pattern; they are told according to a form that is consistent for miracles stories. Other categories would be things like infancy narratives or prophetic utterances. Again, within a given category, the stories tend to follow a set pattern or form.
The way the stories are told were shaped by the literary and social norms and expectations of the day. This is how you told miracle stories in Jesus’ day. We do the same thing today. There is a particular form for telling fishing stories (including the element of exaggeration!); there is a particular way we tell stories about sports rivalries or natural disasters.
For the Biblical stories the regular forms also probably helped people remember and tell these stories when they existed only in the oral tradition. Scholars can spend whole careers on this sort of thing. Form criticism is a useful tool for studying how Biblical stories may have changed or evolved over time. And, although it may all seem pretty arcane to us, I would say that all tools for Bible study are good… Anything that draws our focus and attention to the words of Scripture is good.
The story of blind Bartimaeus which we heard as today’s Gospel falls into the category of a healing story. There are lots of healing stories in the Gospels.
The story of Bartimaeus contains the elements of a typical healing story.
- Someone has a problem. In this case Bartimaeus has lost his sight.
- There is some factor that complicates matters. In the typical form of a healing story, there is a bump in the road. Some factor that complicates matters. In this case, Jesus’ disciples try to silence Bartimaeus, to keep him away from Jesus.
- Jesus effects the cure.
- The cure is confirmed.
- There is some response. Bartimaeus becomes a disciple of Jesus.
Just another healing story, with all of the typical elements in a healing story.
But this is also a call story. It is the story of how Bartimaeus becomes a follower, a disciple, of Jesus. There are other call stories in the Gospels. James and John. Matthew. Typically, Jesus directly addresses the person, saying “follow me.” And, somehow, in that personal interaction, that personal encounter, whoever it is chooses to follow, becomes a disciple.
But the story of Bartimaeus it is NOT a typical call story. It doesn’t fit the form. First of all, others are involved. Those same disciples who sought to keep Bartimaeus away from Jesus act later to bring him to Jesus. And then Jesus doesn’t say “follow me,” he actually says “Go.” Your faith has made you well. Go.
All of this reminds me that, ultimately, each call story is unique. As unique as each one of us.
Jesus has communicated his love for us and his desire to each of us that we be his disciples. He communicates in ways uniquely tailored to each of us. In the colloquial phrase, he meets us “where we are.” Just like he met James and John and Matthew and Bartimaeus where they were, he meets us where we are. And calls us each, personally, to be his disciples. And we have responded. You have responded. Your being here is a response.
A call story. It may be a direct encounter with Jesus. Or may involve others leading us to Jesus. It may be immediate or gradual process of understanding. Jesus may speak to us in the midst of healing or in the midst of struggle. Jesus may speak to us personally while we are quietly reading God’s word in Scripture or as a thunderbolt from heaven.
Each of us has a personal, unique call story. Do you know yours?
