Bartholomew: another unsung hero
Visiting Westminster Abbey with friends from America, we were moved by the grave of the unknown soldier, an unidentified person who died on a First World War battlefield. Unlike the graves of the great and the good scattered around the place, this anonymous hero is accorded a special honour: nobody, including the monarch, is allowed to walk over his grave.
Earlier we saw that Andrew was something of an unsung hero, because the gospels don’t focus much on him. As we come to Bartholomew, we know even less about him! His name doesn’t create recollections of great exploits done while he was a member of Jesus’ team. And there’s a good reason for that: nothing much is said about him, apart from one meeting with Jesus, and his being listed four times as a member of the apostolic band. He is an anonymous member of the group. We don’t hear him speaking up, initiating, asking pertinent questions or, for that matter, causing any trouble or conflict. As we saw today, many scholars believe he is also the disciple described as Nathaniel, and we can extract some information about him from church tradition and history. Otherwise, Scripture is silent.
And that fact made me think about millions of followers of Jesus who, both now and in Christian history, have faithfully walked with the Lord, but beyond their own immediate circle of influence, nobody knows them. Their victories are not chronicled. They have never stood on platforms, but their exploits are known to God. Perhaps you’re one of them. Thank you for your service, often unnoticed and not applauded, but significant nevertheless.