Jesus Is Calling You
In the gospel of Mark a group of stories are purposefully grouped together. First, those who were with Jesus saw a blind man healed. Then, on three different occasions Jesus foretold his death and resurrection. And on all three occasions, the disciples failed to understand which in turn gave occasion to Jesus teachings on service and humility. After the third evidence of their failure to understand. Jesus asked “can you drink the cup?” that I drink. Then in an endcap to this grouping of writings, another blind man was healed. He is named.
In Mark 10:46-52, we find the story of the healing of blind Bartimaeus. Bartimaeus cried out: Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Many tried to quiet him but he yelled out to Jesus again. Jesus said, “Call him here,” then when Bartimaeus approached Jesus asked him “what do you want me to do for you?”
“My teacher,” Bartimaeus answered respectfully, “let me see again.”
Jesus said, “Go your faith has made you well.” Mark tells us: “Immediately he regained his sight and followed him on the way?”
What can we learn from this story? Often, we ask Jesus to follow us rather than accepting the adventure of following Jesus. What are our own causes of blindness? Can our faith make us well? Will we accept the challenge to immediately follow him?
Mark’s message was clear: the disciples were blind to the reality of Jesus, that he was indeed a different kind of Messiah. Mark’s Jesus was not one who came to rule through a domain of power, but rather one who called us into a community of love where each lives in service to the other.
To become servant leaders is to become servant followers who can indeed drink the cup of sorrow and joy, who can indeed be baptized unto death and life. Who can indeed empty the cup as well as themselves in order to make room for eternal life. It is in the refreshment of this realization that we hear the good news shared with the blind man Bartimaeus: “Jesus is calling you!”
Spiritual Practices for Today
Whan have you been the recipient of an act of service in your life? What were the circumstances? How did it feel to allow yourself to be helped by another? When have you offered an act of service in your life? How did it feel to be of service to others? How does being a servant to all enter into your desire to align your heart and will spiritually with God?
Prayer of Service
Pray: God of Love, help us to be servants to your will. In loving you, we find ourselves drawn to acts of service for others. May we find humility in serving others, knowing that when we are in the service of the least and the lost we are in service to our God. Grant us the compassion to see the needs of others and the grace to offer your love in humble acts of kindness, not to be seen or known but to be received in gratitude to you, who are indeed the giver of all gifts and the source of all life. Forgive us when we fall short of our divine call to serve and guide us into new paths of service as we seek you each day in our lives. Amen.
Mark 10:46-52
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. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout out and say, ‘Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!’ Many sternly ordered him to be quiet, but he cried out even more loudly, ‘Son of David, have mercy on me!’ 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.’ So throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus. 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.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Go; your faith has made you well.’ Immediately he regained his sight and followed him on the way.
What word or phrase do you find yourself wanting to contemplate and explore in this passage?
How is this passage speaking to you today?
Daily Bread and Daily Prayer for Peace
Download or open the Community of Christ app on your smartphone or visit www.cofchrist.org to read today’s Daily Bread and Prayer for Peace. After reading the Daily Bread, consider these questions:
What is the main point made by the author?
How can this reflection help guide you in spiritual formation today?
Pray the Mission Prayer: God, where will your Spirit lead today? Help me be fully awake and ready to respond. Grant me the courage to risk something new and become a blessing of your love and peace. Amen.2021 Guiding Question: Are we moving towards Jesus, the peaceful One?