October 22 Sermon - Called to be Disciples
[Mark 10:45-52]
Today’s gospel is the conclusion of one section of St. Mark’s
gospel. We began this portion of his
gospel back in early September, when Jesus asked “Who do you say that I am?”
While others saw Jesus as a prophet and teacher, Peter boldly confessed
“You are the Christ, the Messiah, the Son of God.”
After that Jesus, began to teach them what it meant for Him to be the
Messiah – and what it would mean them to follow Him. And for eight weeks we’ve been reading the
three chapters of the gospel in which Jesus continued to teach on those
subjects, expanding our understanding of what it means to be His disciple.
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That’s the first point. If like
Peter, you think you’ve figured out who Jesus is and what it means to follow,
then that‘s the time when he’ll open your mind to something more. No matter how long you’ve been listening and
studying and trying to follow, as a disciple there is always more to learn –
more to learn about Jesus and his way.
There are always new insights and new applications of his Word.
Because the goal is that we be mature in
the Lord, measuring up to the full statue of Christ. Ephesians 4:13
We’re called to be disciples – students who are maturing by growing in
understanding and faith.
- A learner whose life is guided and shaped by Jesus’ word. And so we continue to read and study and
apply His Word our lives.
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At first, our gospel lesson hardly sounds like a conclusion to a major
portion of the gospel on discipleship.
It simply records Jesus’ encounter with a blind beggar who’s sitting by
the roadside.
It reminds me of a scene in Monty Python’s Life of Brian.. Brian is walking
down through town and encounters a beggar who cries out; “Alms for an
ex-leper. Please help an ex-leper.”
“What do you mean an ex-leper?”
Well, I was cured.
“Who cured you?”
Jesus. But now
I have a hard time making a living. All
I know how to do is beg – but no one wants to give to a guy whose been healed.
“You could ask Jesus to make you a leper again.”
No, I don’t think I’d like that either. Unless I could be a fake
leper only when begging.
Brian drops a coin in his cup and starts to walk away – and the beggar
yells at him “Is that all you’re going to give me?”
“Some people are never satisfied.”
That’s what Jesus said.
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In today’s gospel, a blind man named Bartimaeus hears that Jesus of
Nazareth is passing by, and calls out “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on
me.”
Did you pay attention to what Bartimaeus said?
He called Jesus Son of David – a confession of faith that Jesus
is the Christ, the Messiah – the same confession that Peter made at the
beginning of this section of the gospel.
Bartimaeus, though blind, can see what most sighted folks haven’t. Blind Bart was able to see Jesus as the Light
of the world. He understands who Jesus
is, and that, as the Messiah, He must have the grace of heaven at His disposal.
So Bart made his appeal to the one who had the power to help, and his
request was simply have mercy on me – not Do whatever I ask – just have
mercy on me – a humble prayer of faith.
A prayer that trusts both the power of Christ and His wisdom – he will
do what is best for me – so all I need to pray is Lord have mercy.
Bartimaeus repeats his prayer, and then Jesus calls him. The blind beggar jumped to his feet and came
to Jesus – which, by the way, is exactly the same way Peter and Andrew and the
others responded when Jesus called them.
When Christ calls, we are to answer – to go to Him. And if you listen, God is calling, through
the Word inviting.
Then Jesus said: What do you want me to do for you?
That question should sound familiar – it’s what he said to James and
John last week. It’s
open ended and non-directive. The Lord
invites to honestly present our needs to the Him – in prayer to tell him what
is on our mind.
While sometimes our prayer may be granted, at other times he would lead
us to see a better way. But in either
case, His response can come only after our prayer. So remember his invitation. What do you
want me to do for you? And keep praying.
Bartimaeus replies “Teacher, let me see again.”
Unlike Christ’s response to James and John in last week’s gospel, when
they were asked the same question, Bart’s request is immediately granted. You remember that James and John’s request
was not answered in the way they expected – and resulted in Jesus teaching on
giving and serving – and thus helping them to see things from God’s
perspective.
Before that, we witnessed an instance where a woman’s request was not
immediately granted – some further conversation was needed – and then Jesus
granted it.
To another Jesus said “One thing you lack.” And that man simply walked away.
In each case Jesus loved them – but how he responded was different.
This is how Jesus sees each of us -- As individuals with different
personalities and needs -- As followers who are at different points in our walk
of faith. So he doesn’t treat us in the
same way – nor offer us the same challenges.
His love is not so much equal, as it is individual.
Jesus told us to love one another, but how is that love
expressed. Do we love everyone in the
same way?
C. S. Lewis suggests that there could be two ways. One is to treat everyone equally –
impartially. That sounds fair, even very
American. We believe that all are
equal. Yet that impartiality would teat
everyone the same – a sort of one size fits all.
The second way is an individualized love. Here the goal is not to treat each person
equally, but to treat each uniquely with a focus on caring for them – recognizing
their personality and needs.
For example, think about families.
We don’t love family members equally, but uniquely. A wife does not love her husband in the same
way she loves her children. If you have
more than one child, you don’t treat them in the same way. You don’t love an infant in the same way as a
teenager – even a boy in the same way as a girl. Rather each family member is unique – and
thus each is esteemed and loved somewhat differently, reflecting that
uniqueness.
In the same way, Jesus treats each person –loves each person as an
individual. He accepts them as different
and worthy of individual love. As we
follow Him, he would encourage us to see others as he does: As individuals whose uniqueness is to be
respected and valued - and that implies getting to know them, so you can honor
their individuality. That’s one reason
we have fellowship events - like today’s lunch - just to get to know each other
as individuals.
At the end of today’s gospel, Jesus compliments Bartimaeus with a phrase
he rarely uses.
Your faith has made you well.
What kind of faith did Bartimaeus display?
A faith that confesses Jesus as Messiah and Lord.
A humble faith that simply prays “Lord have mercy” trusting in the
Lord’s goodness.
But also a faith that expects from the Lord and trusts in his mighty
power.
And a faith that answers Jesus’ call and Bartimaeus followed Jesus
on the way.
Which way is that?
If we turn the page we find that Jesus is going into
But Jesus is going to
Bartimaeus, the blind man is an example of a disciple: one who sees who
Jesus is, and answers his call, responding in faith and following Jesus on the
way of the cross.
Christ, who restored sight of the blind, can clear us of cloudy vision
as well.
He invites us to follow Him by joining with a group of disciples – a
church - a fellowship of brothers and sisters journeying in faith together.
He calls us to walk in the way of discipleship, a path of service -
forgetting ourselves to think of others and lend a helping hand.
Christ calls us disciples - students who continue to learn and grow that
we might be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full statue of
Christ.