"A Man of No Name" ** sermon for Proper 25 Year B**

            Do you know what your name means?  Dawn, of course, means “break of day.”  Matthew means “gift of God.”  Linda means “beautiful” or “pretty.”  William means “resolute protector; will, desire; helmet, protection.”  I hated my name growing up.  I was the only Dawn in a sea of Jennifers and Michelles.

You may recall in the Biblical world that names mean things.  Names are given to emphasize character traits or to recall circumstances surrounding the birth.  Esau is born hairy, hence his name.  Names also change in response to an encounter with God.  Jacob becomes Israel.  Simon is called Peter.

Perhaps you also remember that to name something is to have power over the named.  Like when Adam names the creatures in Genesis 2.  The naming process gives Adam control over God’s creatures.  When I worked at Burger King college, I hated that people called me by my name.  That felt too personal, too intimate.

Today we hear about a man of no name.  Even his parents think little of him.  They did not give him a proper name.  After all, he is named “Bar Timaeus,” or son of Timaeus.  Timaeus means “honored” or “honorable.”  So, Bar-Timaeus is son of the honored or the son of the honorable one.  Not really a name at all. 

            That would be like calling out, “Hey, Judi’s son!”  or “There’s Tyler’s daughter!”  Bartimaeus is all but invisible to them.  Without sight, Bartimaeus cannot work.  Nor can he be part of the faith community.  So, he is left alone to make a life as best as he can.  Bartimaeus begs at the city gates for his meagre existence.

            Bartimaeus hears that Jesus is near Jericho.  The whole village is in a frenzy.  I’m sure they want to see Jesus heal and to hear him teach.  Bartimaeus is no exception.  When the blind man hears Jesus is there, Bartimaeus makes a nuisance of himself.  Bartimaeus keeps calling out for Jesus: “Son of David, mercy!”

            The crowd tries to dismiss Bartimaeus, as usual. “Shut up!  Don’t bother Jesus.  Don’t you know he is busy!”  Bartimaeus has no doubt heard it all before.  But then something important happens.  Jesus calls Bartimaeus forward.  “What can I do for you?”  Jesus asks.  The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see” comes the reply.

On your way,” says Jesus, “Your faith has saved and healed you.”  Bartimaeus’ life is changed by Jesus.  Not only does Bartimaeus receive his sight back.  He also is restored into community.  Bartimaeus finds belonging and a home.  The former blind man becomes a follower of Jesus.  He joins Jesus on the way to Jerusalem. 

There is lots of good news here.  And not just for Bartimaeus.  Here is wonderful news here for me and for you.  No one is beyond the love, grace, and mercy of God.  No one.  That is why God became flesh and blood in Jesus (John 3:16-17, for one).  When others see a nobody, Jesus sees a beloved Child of God.

            To those who have been bullied, Jesus says, “I am here with you.”

            To all who feel invisible or rejected, Jesus says, “I see you.”

            To those who feel unloved and unworthy, Jesus says, “I love you.”

            To all who weep and mourn, Jesus says “I hold you in the palm of my hand.”