The Daily Readings for SUNDAY, October 28, 2018 - Twenty Third Sunday after Pentecost

The Healing of Blind Bartimaeus
Mark 10:46-52

The Daily Readings

SUNDAY, October 28, 2018 - Twenty Third Sunday after Pentecost

(Revised Common Lectionary Year B)

Greeting

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

~ Phillipians 1:2

Prayer of the Day (Collect)

Almighty and everlasting God, increase in us the gifts of faith, hope, and charity; and, that we may obtain what you promise, make us love what you command; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Confession and Forgiveness

Trusting God's promise of forgiveness, let us confess our sins against God and one another.

Almighty and most merciful Father, we have erred and strayed from Your ways like lost sheep. We have followed too much the devices and desires of our own hearts. We have offended against Your holy laws. We have left undone those things which we ought to have done; and we have done those things which we ought not to have done; and there is nothing good in us. O Lord, have mercy upon us, miserable offenders. Spare those, O God, who confess their faults. Restore those who are penitent; according to Your promises declared unto men in Christ Jesus our Lord. Grant that we may hereafter live a godly, righteous, and sober life; to the glory of His name. Amen

The Lessons

Old Testament

Jeremiah 31:7-9
31:7 For thus says the Lord:
Sing aloud with gladness for Jacob,
    and raise shouts for the chief of the nations;
proclaim, give praise, and say,
    “Save, O Lord, your people,
    the remnant of Israel.”
8 See, I am going to bring them from the land of the north,
    and gather them from the farthest parts of the earth,
among them the blind and the lame,
    those with child and those in labor, together;
    a great company, they shall return here.
9 With weeping they shall come,
    and with consolations I will lead them back,
I will let them walk by brooks of water,
    in a straight path in which they shall not stumble;
for I have become a father to Israel,
    and Ephraim is my firstborn.

The Psalm

Psalm 126 In convertendo
126:1 When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, *
then were we like those who dream.

2 Then was our mouth filled with laughter, *

and our tongue with shouts of joy.

3 Then they said among the nations, *

"The Lord has done great things for them."

4 The Lord has done great things for us, *

and we are glad indeed.

5 Restore our fortunes, O Lord, *

like the watercourses of the Negev.

6 Those who sowed with tears *

will reap with songs of joy.

7 Those who go out weeping, carrying the seed, *

will come again with joy, shouldering their sheaves.

The Epistle

Hebrews 7:23-28
7:23 Furthermore, the former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office; 24 but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. 25 Consequently he is able for all time to save those who approach God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.

26 For it was fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, blameless, undefiled, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. 27 Unlike the other high priests, he has no need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for those of the people; this he did once for all when he offered himself. 28 For the law appoints as high priests those who are subject to weakness, but the word of the oath, which came later than the law, appoints a Son who has been made perfect forever.

The Gospel

Mark 10:46-52
The Healing of Blind Bartimaeus
10:46 They came to Jericho. As he and his disciples and a large crowd were leaving Jericho, Bartimaeus son of Timaeus, a blind beggar, was sitting by the roadside. 47 When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” 48 Many sternly ordered him to be quiet, but he cried out even more loudly, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” 49 Jesus stood still and said, “Call him here.” And they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take heart; get up, he is calling you.” 50 So throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus. 51 Then Jesus said to him, “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man said to him, “My teacher, let me see again.” 52 Jesus said to him, “Go; your faith has made you well.” Immediately he regained his sight and followed him on the way.

Here ends the Lessons

Click HERE to read today's Holy Gospel Lesson message

The Apostle's Creed

We believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.

We believe in Jesus Christ, his only son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

Benediction

Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus direct our way to you. And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, just as we abound in love for you. And may he so strengthen your hearts in holiness that you may be blameless before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints. Amen

~ 1 Thessalonians 3:11-13

The Bible texts of the Old Testament, Epistle and Gospel lessons are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Church of Christ in the USA, and used by permission. The Collects, Psalms and Canticles are from the Book of Common Prayer, 1979.
Take heart; get up, he is calling you.

"From a Blind Beggar to a Seeing Disciple" The Daily Readings for SUNDAY, October 28, 2018 - Twenty Third Sunday after Pentecost

"From a Blind Beggar to a Seeing Disciple"

The Holy Gospel comes to us this morning from Mark the 10th chapter, beginning at the 46th verse.

10:46 They came to Jericho. As he and his disciples and a large crowd were leaving Jericho, Bartimaeus son of Timaeus, a blind beggar, was sitting by the roadside. 47 When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” 48 Many sternly ordered him to be quiet, but he cried out even more loudly, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” 49 Jesus stood still and said, “Call him here.” And they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take heart; get up, he is calling you.” 50 So throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus. 51 Then Jesus said to him, “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man said to him, “My teacher, let me see again.” 52 Jesus said to him, “Go; your faith has made you well.” Immediately he regained his sight and followed him on the way.

Grace be unto you and peace, from God our Father and from our Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Blindness and sight—that’s what our gospel story is about today. In this wonderful miracle story of Jesus healing Bartimaeus, we learn something of what it means to journey out of darkness and blindness into light and the gift of seeing. Have you ever wondered what it’s like to live as a physically or spiritually blind person? Have you ever thought about what difference it could make if you were blind and then, suddenly Jesus came along to give you the gift of sight? Come along and journey with Jesus today to find out more.

Mark begins this story by telling us that Jesus is on his way to Jerusalem, it is the season of Passover, and Jesus has just arrived at Jericho, about fifteen miles northeast of Jerusalem. Travelling through town, crowds line the streets, most likely some to welcome Jesus, and others to criticize him and find some reason to do away with him. It was customary for rabbis at that time to have a following and teach as they travelled to Jerusalem for the Passover.

As they were just about to leave, lo and behold, there was at least one heckler in the crowd. This one was perhaps different than many though, since he was a blind beggar, Mark tells us, and his name was Bartimaeus, son of Timaeus. Actually, there is a bit of a word play on his name, for in Aramaic, the prefix “bar” means “son of.” His name actually tells us who his father was—Bartimaeus. Mark doesn’t make it clear whether or not Bartimaeus was born blind—although he hints at him perhaps having sight earlier in his life, for in verse fifty-one, Bartimaeus makes the following request of Jesus: “let me see again.” And in verse fifty-two, Mark says: “he regained his sight.” These two words, “again,” and “regained” may very well refer to an earlier time when Bartimaeus could see.

At any rate, to be a blind person at that time, in that society, was certainly no fun. As Mark tells us, Bartimaeus was a beggar. He was a desperate man. He had no secure means of making a living—condemned to life on the streets of Jericho begging. Along with that was likely lots of scorn and derision from the general public; lots of judgement, since many “religious” folk associated illness with either inheriting the sins of one’s parents or grandparents, or having committed some sin personally and not properly repenting of it, therefore one was ill because one sinned and now God was punishing the person for their sin. So, to be blind like Bartimaeus meant to live as an outcast; to live in poverty. In spite of all the stigma attached to life as a blind beggar, Bartimaeus was a very persistent, determined, desperate heckler that day Jesus walked by him. We can hear it both in the tone of his voice and the words he speaks—Mark says he shouted at first, and then later cried out even more loudly. In that cry were all of Bartimaeus’ future hopes and dreams; his whole life and destiny depended upon gaining a hearing with Jesus. He had heard of Jesus’ reputation; he was overjoyed that finally he could, please God, meet the Messiah. So he shouted out at the top of his lungs: “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

However, there were some in the crowd ready to shout back abusive words to Bartimaeus. Can’t you hear them saying: “How dare you, blind beggar heckle Jesus! Shut your mouth blind beggar, or we’ll throw you to the wild beasts! Get out of here, away with you, no good-for-nothing!” In spite of all the judgement and condemnation; in spite of all the loneliness and pain because of status, in spite of his own inner struggles with self-worth; Bartimaeus is determined not to be silenced this time, and cries out with all of the energy he is able to muster: “Son of David, have mercy on me!”

It is rather telling that Bartimaeus, even though he is blind and a beggar, addresses Jesus as “Son of David.” This was actually the title of the Messiah. Bartimaeus, although blind and a beggar, may have been able to see more clear spiritually than those “religious” folk who judged and condemned and ridiculed him. He may have remembered that wonderful passage from Isaiah describing the Messiah’s work: “I have given you as a covenant to the people, a light to the nations, to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness.” (Isaiah 42:6-7) Bartimaeus’ blindness felt like one dark prison, he was trapped, and could not, no matter how hard he tried, escape from this trap. He needed Jesus, the Messiah, the Son of David, to do this. Only the Messiah could heal his blindness and release him from its dark prison, and he knew it, hence his loud plea.

What sort of blindness; what kind of dark prisons trap us? What blindness do we need Jesus to heal us of? Our plea, our prayer, our deepest desire, our words of request to Jesus may be the same as Bartimaeus’ as we come to the altar for healing today: “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Whatever blindness may be keeping us trapped in a dark prison, only Jesus can heal us. Bartimaeus trusted that this was true, do we?

As the story continues in verse forty-nine, everything changes. Jesus stops in his tracks and instructs someone to “Call him here.” Those who, a moment ago turned away, walked by, ignored the blind beggar, now actually listen to Jesus, obey him, and as they approach Bartimaeus offer words of acceptance, invitation and encouragement: “Take heart, get up, he is calling you.” The one who spoke these words, perhaps a disciple, who had witnessed Jesus’ healing miracles before, now anticipates that Jesus is going to do something wonderful for this blind beggar. I wonder, too, if there is not a bit of play on words here? Perhaps the words “he is calling you” refer to a double call—the immediate call into Jesus’ presence right now, as well as the call to a new life of discipleship, of following Jesus into a new future. At any rate, Bartimaeus responds by throwing off his cloak, so that he’d have nothing to trip on and prevent him from reaching Jesus. After he throws off his cloak, he jumps up enthusiastically and comes to Jesus. The thrown off cloak could also perhaps be a symbol of leaving behind his life as a blind beggar into a future of not only physical but also spiritual sight by following Jesus.

Then comes the wonderful encounter. Jesus asks Bartimaeus: “What do you want me to do for you?” The question may function to highlight the message that Jesus never forces himself and his will on anyone—he gives everyone the opportunity to freely, without coercion, respond to him. At any rate, Bartimaeus says: “My teacher, let me see again.” The word “my” indicates Bartimaeus’ willingness to follow Jesus as a disciple. Jesus responds by saying: “Go, your faith has made you well.” Jesus however does not mean faith in faith, but faith in Jesus and his power to heal him. Faith is complete trust in Jesus, in spite of all the barriers the people put in place to prevent Bartimaeus from coming to Jesus. Mark concludes the story by telling us that his sight was regained and he followed Jesus as a disciple “on the way.” On the way to Jerusalem, where Jesus would suffer and die on a cross, and three days later be raised from death.

Today, as you come forward for healing, Jesus asks you: “What do you want me to do for you?” It is an invitation to each of us to come and receive Christ’s healing in our lives—whether our healing be physical, emotional, mental or spiritual. And, like Bartimaeus, in response, we follow him on the way to his suffering, death and resurrection—his way of life, healing and salvation for all people.

Almighty God, who called your Church to bear witness that you were in Christ reconciling the world to yourself: help us to proclaim the good news of your love, that all who hear it may be drawn to you; through him who was lifted up on the cross, and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

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The Bible texts of the Old Testament, Epistle and Gospel lessons are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Church of Christ in the USA, and used by permission.
Blindness and sight—that’s what our gospel story is about today. In this wonderful miracle story of Jesus healing Bartimaeus, we learn something of what it means to journey out of darkness and blindness into light and the gift of seeing. Have you ever wondered what it’s like to live as a physically or spiritually blind person? Have you ever thought about what difference it could make if you were blind and then, suddenly Jesus came along to give you the gift of sight? Come along and journey with Jesus today to find out more.

The Morning Prayer for SUNDAY, October 28, 2018

Sunday morning prayer

My loving God, I thank You for bringing me safely to another day of worship. How I desire to praise You with a pure heart and right spirit! To that end, I again ask Your forgiveness for all my sins and renewing of my faith. As I speak to You today, fill my heart with true praise and thankfulness for all You have done for me. Lead me to appreciate more fully the blessings of worshiping with my fellow Christians. Thank You for the opportunity to pray and study Your Word with other believers. Make me a faithful witness in my congregation and my family so that others will see me leaning only on You, who saved me in Jesus Christ.

Lord on this special day, I run into Your loving arms. May Sunday be a celebration, filled with thankfulness, where I connect with the presence of Heaven, seek Your beauty and goodness, and cherish special family time together. Come fill my heart afresh with Your love. May it overflow with Heaven's bounty, moving through this rest day and into the week ahead.

Amen

Verse of the Day for SUNDAY, October 28, 2018

1 Peter 1:24-25 (NIV) For, “All people are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord endures forever.” And this is the word that was preached to you.

Read all of 1 Peter 1

Listen to 1 Peter 1

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Un dia a la Vez - Jesús y los juramentos

Jesús y los juramentos

«Cuando ustedes digan “sí”, que sea realmente sí; y cuando digan “no”, que sea no. Cualquier cosa de más, proviene del maligno».

~ Mateo 5:37 (NVI)

Desde siempre hemos escuchado que no debemos jurar, mucho menos usando el nombre de Dios en vano. Esto se debe a que Dios espera que digamos la verdad en todo momento.

En el Manual de Instrucciones también encontramos que el Señor espera que nuestra palabra sea sincera y que tengamos una sola respuesta. Cuando somos personas de una sola palabra, tenemos credibilidad y confiabilidad ante otros, mucho más al decir que somos cristianos. Si quedamos mal, también se afectará el nombre de Dios.

Cada vez que les prometamos algo a nuestros hijos, debemos cumplirlo. Les hacemos mucho daño si los ilusionamos con algo y no lo llevamos a cabo. Así que distingámonos y aprendamos a ser hombres y mujeres de carácter.

Un Día a la Vez Copyright © by Claudia Pinzón
Cada vez que les prometamos algo a nuestros hijos, debemos cumplirlo.

Standing Strong Through the Storm - GOD FIRST

GOD FIRST

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.

~ Romans 1:16 (NIV)

Eighteen-year-old Nina lives in an Asian country where Buddhism is the faith of the majority. Since her mother is a devout Christian, she is constantly exposed to stories and lessons from God’s Word. At school, her faith in Jesus Christ is often tested. Because Nina showed great aptitude at school, she was selected to be part of a team that would compete in a high school annual science competition. On the day of the competition, however, the Vice Principal, a very strict disciplinarian, decided to take the team to the Buddhist temple first. Nina fidgeted anxiously in her seat while aboard the school bus with her teammates.

As she tried to figure out what to do upon arriving at the monastery, the first of the Lord’s Ten Commandments resonated in her mind—no other gods, except Him. I can’t disobey my God, after knowing who He is, she thought. Nina felt trapped and confused. Obeying God meant disobeying the Vice Principal. Nina uttered a silent prayer. “God, you changed the hearts of many kings before, surely you can do it again! Please Lord, speak to his heart!” 

When the team reached the temple, everyone entered except Nina, who stood at the gate. As Nina’s teammates came out of the temple, the Vice Principal approached Nina with a stern look on his face. “Why did you not come in the temple with us?”

“Sir, I was born a Christian. When my mother gave birth to me, I was weak and at the point of death. Christians prayed for me and God heard their prayers,” shared Nina.

“You could have just entered with us and not participate in the ceremonies,” explained the Vice Principal, whose face and tone softened. Nina knew then that God had just answered her prayers.

“I did not have peace in my heart. I felt that I would be disobeying God if I entered the temple, sir,” Nina responded. The Vice Principal did not pursue the matter any further; neither did he chide Nina for it. The team placed third during the science competition.

Nina testified during a youth training program that Open Doors organized. “I was surprised to see how God suddenly changed his heart; he rarely speaks that way to students. He is often firm and strong…His wife has had many miscarriages. I’m praying for his wife to have a baby soon. I’m also praying for him to know Jesus Christ. I’m sure it will happen someday!”

RESPONSE: Today I will put God first in every situation I face.

PRAYER: Pray for all young Christians who face the cultural challenges against putting God first.

Standing Strong Through The Storm (SSTS), a daily devotional message by SSTS author Paul Estabrooks. © 2011 Open Doors International. Used by permission.

LHM Daily Devotions - Salvation unto Us Has Come

"Salvation unto Us Has Come"

Oct. 28, 2018

"Salvation unto us has come by God's free grace and favor, good works cannot avert our doom, they help and save us never. Faith looks to Jesus Christ alone who did for all the world atone. He is our One Redeemer.

"Faith clings to Jesus' cross alone and rests in Him unceasing; and by its fruits true faith is known, with love and hope increasing. For faith alone can justify; works serve our neighbor and supply the proof that faith is living."

Three years ago, my sister stepped off a ladder, thinking she had descended to the bottom step. She was in fact, two steps up. When she landed on the floor, her leg broke and shattered in multiple places. I describe this painful scene to illustrate the fall into sin. When mankind in its deception ate the fruit in the garden, we stepped off the ladder and instantly became broken.

My sister describes to me a recurring thought she has had since her fall. It's the moment right before stepping off the ladder. If she had just checked or gone down another rung, she imagines she could have averted the years of hardship that were to follow. At times, the moment is so real in her mind, it seems she could change the outcome -- if just she willed it.

I remember that feeling after my first driving mishap when I was 18. Trying to park, I scraped the driver's side door of the car to my right. It was such a simple mistake that I felt like I could almost put the car in reverse and somehow erase the scratch. Sin is like that. The ravages of sin, along with its consequences, have entered our hearts, and nothing we do can undo that. We need a Savior for that problem.

Yet, frequently, we still think our good works can save us from the disaster that is at work in our souls. That's like my sister thinking if only she chose the right doctor she would have been walking again in a few weeks. It's not that our actions don't matter. Of course, they matter. All kinds of choices helped my sister through the healing process. It's just that nothing we do can repair the damage already done. Again, we need a Savior for that!

Thankfully, Jesus came, and by virtue of being fully God, He alone in the human race did not step off the ladder. At the same time, being fully human, He experienced all the temptations we do. Hebrews 4:15-16 says, "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need."

THE PRAYER: Dear Jesus, we want so badly to fix what is broken in us -- and in the world around us. Help us surrender control to You, confess that we are not sufficient, and rest in Your redeeming grace at work in our broken lives. In Your Name we pray. Amen.

This Daily Devotion was written by AmyRuth Bartlett. It is based on the hymn, "Salvation Unto Us Has Come." Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM).
"Salvation unto us has come by God's free grace and favor ...

Notre Pain Quotidien - Ta volonté, et non la mienne

Ta volonté, et non la mienne

Lisez : Luc 22.39-46

La Bible en un an : Jérémie 15 – 17 ; 2 Timothée 2

Confie-toi en l’Éternel de tout ton cœur, et ne t’appuie pas sur ta sagesse. Proverbes 3.5

Kamil et Joelle ont été anéantis d’apprendre que Rima, leur fillette de 8 ans, était atteinte d’une rare forme de leucémie. Or, cette maladie a conduit la petite à faire une méningite et un AVC, plongeant Rima dans le coma. L’équipe médicale de l’hôpital a alors conseillé à ses parents de préparer les funérailles de Rima, car elle estimait que les chances de survie de leur patiente étaient inférieures à un pour cent.

Kamil et Joelle ont jeûné et prié pour un miracle. « En priant, a dit Kamil, il faut faire confiance à Dieu quoi qu’il arrive et imiter Jésus : Non pas ma volonté, Père, mais la tienne. » Puis Joelle lui a avoué : « Mais je veux tellement que Dieu la guérisse ! » Ce à quoi Kamil a rétorqué : « Oui ! Et il faut le lui demander ! Mais nous honorons Dieu en nous abandonnant à lui, même si c’est difficile, parce que c’est ça que Jésus a fait. »

Avant d’aller à la croix, Jésus a prié ainsi : « Père, si tu voulais éloigner de moi cette coupe ! Toutefois, que ma volonté ne se fasse pas, mais la tienne » (LU 22.42). En priant « [éloigne] de moi cette coupe », Jésus a demandé que la croix lui soit épargnée, mais il s’est soumis au Père par amour pour lui.

Dans l’épreuve, il n’est pas facile de renoncer à nos désirs par amour pour Dieu et de saisir sa sagesse. Les prières de Kamil et de Joelle ont été exaucées de façon remarquable : Rima est aujourd’hui âgée de 15 ans et en bonne santé. Même si sa requête ne lui a pas été accordée en notre faveur, Jésus nous a montré à croire en Dieu, quelle que soit notre situation.

Dieu mérite toujours notre consécration et nos louanges.

par James Banks

© 2018 Ministères NPQ
Kamil et Joelle ont été anéantis d’apprendre que Rima, leur fillette de 8 ans, était atteinte d’une rare forme de leucémie.