In the story of Job, G_d had praised the man in the presence of satan, but the evil one felt that Job’s faith existed because of G_d’s protection. So, G_d allowed satan to take Job’s possessions, his children, and his health; allowed evil to take away everything but the “perfect and upright man’s life.” Despite all the anguish to which Job was subjected, he never accused G_d of injustice. While all the awful things were happening to Job, his friends while talking about G_d, never spoke to G_d; they never prayed for their suffering friend. While the friends were offering theology, Job prays and stays in relationship with G_d, even from the depths of despair, and for this faithfulness, Job was commended by G_d in the end. Being in the depths of despair does not end “the sure and certain hope” of coming out on the other side into life again. The suffering of Job testifies not only to the reality of inexplicable suffering, but also to the possibility of new life, a life lived for the father, a life lived out with G_d.

Jesus and his disciples were leaving the community of Jerico, with them was a large gathering of followers. Along the roadside was a man named Bartimae’us, due to his blindness was forced to beg to survive. Bartimae’us had often used his place on the road into Jerico to solicit offerings from travelers, who would either pity him, or give him something to avoid a sense of guilt. The sounds of a large crowd walking his way could yield a bounty that he rarely experienced. When Bartimae’us heard who was in this crowd, his cry was not for money, but something else. “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Some in the crowd tried to silence the beggar; Jesus heard his plea and asked, “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus had heard the man acknowledge His royal divinity in his plea. Bartimae’us had not called to the son of a carpenter, but rather to the heir to the throne. His faith let him know as Job knew that, “you can do all things and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.” While our lives may consist of afflictions, through the risk of faith our lives will thrive through heavenly rescue. Jesus sent the beggar on his way able to see at last, but Bartimae’us’ way was to follow Jesus. In Job’s words, “I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you.”

I have friends who suffered during the past few years, losses of work, losses of loved ones. My journey down this road offers little expertise to support my friends in their sense of hopelessness. I always wish for words or actions to support them in their despair, but such never seems to come to me. All I can offer is my love, my sympathy, and presence, yet those can seem so meager. What they receive is a continual assurance from the Creator, “I am with you,” which allows them to endure the setbacks and the sadness. Their story does not end with these losses, new challenges always will and do confront them, but a faith, built early in life, and affirmed daily, can sustain; Allowing all to live a new life; Allowing all to see.

Pax,

jbt