I know I am really showing my age when I make mention of the cartoon strip known as Peanuts.
Created by the American cartoonist Charles Schultz, the cartoon strip featured characters like Charlie Brown, Lucy and of course the dog named Snoopy.
One of the regular cartoon characters is a boy called Linus.
A feature of Linus is his persistent carrying of a blanket.
Many failed attempts are made to rid Linus of his blanket.
No one, to my knowledge has suggested introducing Linus to Bartimaeus.
Let’s watch Bartimaeus.
When he heard that Jesus was passing by, he began to shout, “Have pity on me!” People told him to shut up, he was making too much noise.
But he shouted even more.
“Call him,” Jesus said…. “Cheer up!” they told him. “On your feet, he’s calling you.”
Then, the account continues, “throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus.”
He came, of course, still in the dark. Did you notice that he threw aside his cloak? It was a strange thing for a blind person to do: would he find it again?
Blind people have great trouble finding things.
Notice how carefully they place things, caressing them almost.
However, sighted people are forever throwing things around.
In throwing his cloak aside Bartimaeus acted like a sighted man.
While all the sighted people held their cloaks and their possession around them with careful fingers, he alone leaped up, threw aside his cloak and ran to meet the Lord.
‘It is a very powerful symbol of the life of faith: Bartimaeus walked in the dark.
He approached Jesus in darkness.
Faith is a kind of knowledge, yes, but it is dark knowledge.
Still, this dark knowledge sets us free, somehow, to move with confidence.
How good it would be to move without timidity, to travel through our life with freedom and joy!
A blind beggar shows us how.
Throw your cloak aside!
Jump to your feet!
Come toward Jesus in darkness!
[For those who are interested there is an occasion when Linus is free of his blanket. During an animated cartoon titled “A Charlie Brown Christmas”, Linus is centre stage responding to Charlie Brown’s urgent request, “Isn’t there anyone who knows what Christmas is about?”
Linus recites Luke 2:8 – 14, and at the words “I bring you news of great joy” both his hands are empty, and the blanket sits on the floor.
Ironically, the news of great joy does not last long! As Linus leaves centre stage, he reclaims his blanket – so how long does Christmas joy last for you before you need pick up your blanket?