More to gain

"He (Bartimaeus) threw aside his cloak, sprang up, and came to Jesus."

Mark 10:50

 

One of my favorite parts of the Bartimaeus reading (yesterday's Gospel) is this line.  I think it was Fr. Anthony Gittins, in his book "Encountering Jesus," who pointed out that his cloak was probably the only thing Bartimaeus actually had to his name.  It was likely his bed, as well as his protection against the wind and weather.  It was all his had, and, yet, he throws it aside, jumps to his feet and comes to Jesus.  Bartimaeus does what the Rich Young Man earlier in this chapter (Mark 10:17-22) cannot do.  Remember him?  Jesus suggests to him he sell all he has, give the money to the poor and join Jesus.  He can't do it.  Clearly, the RYM had more to give up, didn't he?  He actually had stuff.  Bartimaeus only had one thing--his cloak. In his mind, the RYM has more to lose and less to gain.  Bartimaeus had nothing to lose, except a tattered old cloak, and everything to gain--his sight.  Lord, please help me to see that giving up everything FOR you means gaining everything WITH you!  Love, heidi