Mark Sorensen I love an underdog story. Anyone else? We recently watched the movie Eddie the Eagle. How did I miss this story? The film is based on the real life story of Michael “Eddie” Edwards. All his life he wanted to be in the Olympics, but he never found a sport at which he could actually excel. The crazy thing about Eddie? He wouldn’t give up. He would eventually get a chance to qualify and compete in the 1988 Olympics in Calgary, Canada, and compete in both the 70 and 90 m long jumps. Did he win gold? Nope. Silver? No. Bronze? Absolutely not. In fact, he placed DEAD last. In both categories. And here’s the really beautiful part. He was thrilled with the results because the joy wasn’t found in where he placed on the leader board. The joy was found in his love of jumping.
I loved the persistence and determination of Eddie, and it was his pursuit of what he loved that gave him the greatest reward in the end.
I think Bartimaeus was a lot like Eddie the Eagle.
We don’t know a lot of Bartimaeus’ back story, but we know he was persistent. As Jesus passes by, Bartimaeus calls out. Interesting that for a blind man Bartimaeus had better vision than many in Jesus’ day, for, amidst his blindness, he could still recognize the Messiah in his midst. Sure, people would try to push him aside, but Bartimaeus wouldn’t stand for it. He pursued Jesus even harder. And then? Jesus calls him to come forward. Now. What happens next is subtle yet so very powerful.
Bartimaeus cast aside his beggar’s robe and stepped forward, feeling his way toward Jesus. — Mark 10:50 (Voice)
He cast aside his beggar’s robe. Now, his beggar’s robe would have been what he had placed in front of him every day to collect the change from those who had pity on him. Yet—and I love this part—when Jesus calls him by name, he grabs that beggar’s robe and casts it aside as a sign of saying, “Won’t be needing this any more!” [pullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]On the other side of Christ’s calling, victory and new life awaits.[/pullquote]
We all have our beggar’s robes in front of us to some degree or another. Everyday we collect unwanted coins of fear, anxiety, doubt, despair, hopelessness and regret. Listen, the enemy loves to remind us of our past and brokenness. Yet Jesus loves to remind us that He is still very much in the business of making all things new. For Bartimaeus it took responding to Christ and being persistent in his pursuit, casting aside his beggar’s robe and receiving the sight and healing that Christ was ready to extend.
Whatever you’re facing today may you find Christ in the midst of the busyness. Call out to Him. Pursue him. Then? Cast aside that beggar’s robe and take hold of the freedom He is making available to you. That’s where our true joy is found.
