Why Bartimaeus matters

They came to Jericho. As he and his disciples and a large crowd were leaving Jericho, Bartimaeus son of Timaeus, a blind beggar, was sitting by the roadside. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”Many sternly ordered him to be quiet, but he cried out even more loudly, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” Jesus stood still and said, “Call him here.” And they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take heart; get up, he is calling you.” So throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus. Then Jesus said to him, “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man said to him, “My teacher, let me see again.”Jesus said to him, “Go; your faith has made you well.” Immediately he regained his sight and followed him on the way. - Mark 10:46-52

Talking about this text with my wife and co-pastor, she mentioned how commentaries point to this story as a story of great discipleship. And it is. 

But why?

This was the question she and I thought about for a bit. Then something dawned upon me, it is this insight that I want to share.

It could be imagined that as a blind person, Bartimaeus was always following people. He had to in order to survive. he had to follow people to food, water and even the temple. Being blind at this time meant that you were, by definition, a follower. 

And so when Bartimaeus was healed and able to see, he no longer was bound to be a follower. He could find his own food, water and place of worship. He was free to be a leader for the first time in his life free from following anyone. And yet, Bartimaeus chooses the life of a follower even though he is no longer dependent as he once was.

Choosing to relinquish freedoms is the ultimate expression of freedom. Christianity is about choosing to follow Christ when you do not have to.

We call that freedom in Christ. 

Is servant leadership a form of idolatry?

Leadership is a very strong emphasis in the UMC these days. It is one of the Four Focuses of the UMC. There are hundred of books and countless seminars on this subject of being a better leader.

Leadership is a big deal to many organizations and the UMC is no exception.

Some of the conversations in the UMC have understood that when talking about leadership, we are talking about a specific and alternate way of leadership. So the phrase "servant leader" is thrown about when we remember to do so. This is helpful for those who view leadership as being the first to charge solo into battle on a white horse while waving a sword over their head. It is even helpful for those who view the best leaders as those who operate like a CEO or a President.

But even servant leadership is a bit of missing the mark. It still places the emphasis on the individual who is deemed the leader to be the primary actor. If the person is riding horse back into battle or if they are washing feet of their friends, the action is still centered on the leader who is doing all (or most) of the work.

Here is where that view of leadership misses the mark. If we view leadership as a quality that we desire for pastors and lay members of the Church, then is it idolatrous to first focus on the actions of the person we might call the "leader"? Is it not appropriate to first focus on the way in which the Head of the Church (Jesus) is doing and then learn to follow?

What I mean is Christian leadership is not primarily focused on getting people more knowledge so they would know how to act in a situation that comes up. It is not about getting people to dream a dream and get people to "come along". It is not about getting others to be like us or follow us.

Christian leadership is primarily focused on instilling wisdom of the Spirit into people so we would know how to listen to others. It is centered on helping people see the vision that has already been cast by Christ and live into that reality. It is about inviting others to be be like Christ and follow.

Leadership in a Christian context is first and foremost about "follower-ship".

We already have a leader.