Proper 25B - 2024
Sermon for Proper 25, Year B
The Rev. Andrew McLarty
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church
In today’s Gospel, we encounter Bartimaeus, a blind beggar sitting by the roadside near Jericho. When he hears that Jesus of Nazareth is passing by, he cries out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Though many in the crowd try to silence him, he only cries out louder. His persistence captures Jesus’ attention, and Jesus asks the crowd to call him forward. As Bartimaeus comes to Jesus, he is asked, “What do you want me to do for you?” Without hesitation, Bartimaeus replies, “My teacher, let me see again.” Jesus says to him, “Go; your faith has made you well,” and immediately, Bartimaeus regains his sight and follows Jesus on the way.
This story illustrates the transformative power of faith, one of the three Christian Virtues, as demonstrated by Bartimaeus, is not just intellectual belief or passive acceptance. It is an active, persistent trust in God’s power and mercy. Despite being a blind beggar—a person of low status in society—Bartimaeus refuses to be silenced or discouraged. His faith drives him to cry out, even when others try to quiet him. Faith in Christ gives us the courage to persist, to call out to God for mercy, and to believe that He is listening. Bartimaeus’ cry was an act of faith that pushed through barriers and obstacles, and it was this faith that Jesus recognized and responded to.
Yet, faith does not exist in isolation; it is deeply connected to hope and love, the Three Christian Virtues that the Apostle Paul highlights as essential for the Christian life. Hope is the second virtue woven into Bartimaeus’ story. As he cries out to Jesus, his hope is not wishful thinking; it is a firm expectation that God can and will act. Hope is what gives substance to our faith, enabling us to look beyond our present circumstances and trust in God’s promise of healing and restoration. Even when our situations seem bleak, hope reminds us that God is able to bring new life and transformation.
The third virtue, love, completes the picture. When Bartimaeus is healed, he does not return to his old life but immediately follows Jesus on the road. His response is an act of love and gratitude, demonstrating that faith and hope naturally lead to a life of discipleship. Love is the fruit of our faith—it calls us to respond to God’s grace by committing our lives to Christ. The healing that Bartimaeus receives is not just physical; it is also a call to follow Jesus and to walk in His ways.
In this story, we see that faith, hope, and love are interconnected. Faith reaches out for God’s mercy, hope anchors our trust in His promises, and love compels us to follow Jesus faithfully. As we reflect on Bartimaeus’ example, let us ask ourselves if we have the kind of faith that cries out persistently, the hope that trusts in God’s goodness, and the love that responds with a life dedicated to Christ. May we be inspired to cry out to Jesus in our need, trusting in His mercy, and following Him on the path of discipleship.
Amen.
