Sermon in 100
Jesus was on his way to Jericho, a big
crowd with him. He passed a blind beggar, Bartimaeus.
Bartimaeus realised it was Jesus
passing so he called out “Son of David have mercy on me!” He kept calling out
even though people told him to shush, to not bother Jesus.
Jesus stops and calls Bartimaeus over,
who leaves his begging cloak behind. “What do you want me to do for you?” he
says.
“I want to see”
Jesus said, “Go, your faith has made
you well.” Bartimaeus received sight and followed Jesus.
There are two people worthy of
learning from in this encounter.
Jesus, who didn’t assume that what
Bartimaeus wanted was sight, in many ways he could see who Jesus was more
clearly than others anyway. He responds to Bartimaeus by hearing their cry, asking
how he can help not forcing assistance based on assumptions. Bartimaeus is
given credit for his role in his own healing and then Jesus sends him away with
no demand to follow, to change, to join.
The other? Bartimaeus himself. In
recognising the one who could help and understanding his own need he called out
and would not be silenced! His faith is shown in casting aside his cloak, his
begging tool and going to Jesus, he trusts he will not need it now. Upon
receiving sight, he follows Jesus.
So, be more Jesus, be more Bartimaeus. Hear the cry of those in need, ask how you can help, ask for nothing in return and when you recognise Jesus and your need, do not be silenced!
Pocket prayer
Loving God, you
are calling us to be your church, your family. Called out of exile, brought
home rejoicing.
As with the
Exiles returning to Jerusalem we come rejoicing, weeping and praying. With
pushchairs and walking sticks, guide dogs and wheelchairs, wearing ear defenders
and colostomy bags, with stomas and shunts, black skin and freckles, all
genders, all sexualities, love in its myriad of colours.
A rainbow
family, rolling, walking, limping, wobbling home.
There are
many who still sit by the road, calling out to Jesus and yet we try and silence
them.
When people
are calling out to you help us to listen to what they say, rather than quiet
them help us to be quiet so that they are heard.
Valuing the
inclusion and insight of those who experience the world and experience God
differently to us.
Maybe do not
see God in the sunrise, perhaps do not hear God in the birdsong, may not praise
God in a language we understand. Experiencing
the fullness of God in the hushed breathing of quiet prayer or the movement of
speaking hands and praising God in tongues of faraway places
Help us to
understand that the other does not need to be like us, look like us, think like
us, act like us or even love like us to be the fullest best expression of
themselves in the body of Christ.
Remembering
Jesus,
“He came to
give blind people sight, and insight deeper than any seeing person could dream
of.
He came that those with limited mobility, called cripple and lame by the world,
could stand straighter and prouder than non-disabled and dance.
He came that those imprisoned, though still behind bars could know themselves
to be truly free.
He came that deaf people can hear his voice strong and clear, cutting through
the static, the loud silence of their own heads.
He came to call the oppressed to liberation.
Because God loves all.”
Loving God,
you call us home.
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