October 25, 2024

Dear Road Church Friends,

In last week’s Gospel reading, Jesus asked James and John, “What do you want me to do for you?” (Mark 10:38). They immediately answered that when he would reign over the world on his throne, they would like to join him there at his right and left hand. Wouldn’t we all love to rule the world? But, that was a wrong answer because self-gratification is not what his disciples are meant to be about. Mark’s point in telling this story is that Jesus’ disciples, even at the end of his ministry, had not caught his vision for the world. He wanted to save it, not by ruling over the world in a political way, but by serving it in a gentle, redemptive way. The very next episode is about a blind beggar who called out for mercy. Jesus asked him the same question he asked his disciples, “What do you want me to do for you?” He said, “I want to see!” And Jesus did that for him! The blind man got it right. The lesson here is that most of us go through life blind to our higher calling, wanting the wrong things. Things that Jesus out of love can’t give us. What he longs to give all of us is vision, —a strong clear vision of who he is and what it means to pray, Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Have you prayed lately to be healed of your spiritual blindness, and that all of us here be given a clear vision for our church whose future we hold in our hands? Jesus is still asking us: “What is it that you want me to do for you?”

SCRIPTURE: Mark 10:46-52    SERMON: What Do You Want Me to Do for You?

As Jesus and his disciples left Jericho, a large crowd followed him. A blind beggar named Bartimaeus was sitting beside the road. When he heard that Jesus of Nazareth was nearby, he began to shout, “Jesus, have mercy on me!” “Be quiet!” many of the people yelled at him. But he only shouted louder, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” When Jesus heard him, he stopped and said, “Tell him to come here.” So, they called the blind man. “Cheer up,” they said. “Go to him, he’s calling you!” Bartimaeus threw aside his coat, jumped up, and came to Jesus. “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked. “My Rabbi,” the blind man said,

“I want to see!” And Jesus said to him, “Your faith has healed you.” Instantly the man could see, and he followed Jesus all the way to Jerusalem.

O WORLD

by George Santayana

O world, thou choosest not the better part!

It is not wisdom to be only wise,

And on the inward vision close the eyes,

But it is wisdom to believe the heart.

Our knowledge is a torch of smoky pine

That lights the pathway but one step ahead

Across a void of mystery and dread.

Bid, then, the tender light of faith to shine

By which alone the mortal heart is led

Unto the thinking of the thought divine.

Blessings,

Pastor Norm

This Service on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/live/wO0q8EqFPbk?si=JqgFxQjEnuovyeKl