But we begin our worship this evening. We're going to sing to God's praise.
We're singing in Psalm 146 in the Singed Psalms Version, page 191.
Psalm 146 on page 191. We're going to sing from verse 5 down to the end of the psalm.
The tune is Sussex, Psalm 146 at verse 5.
Blessed is the one who truly looks for help to Jacob's God.
Blessed is the one who places all his hope upon the Lord.
He who made the earth and heaven and the seas with all their store.
He who keeps his every promise, who is faithful evermore.
We'll sing from verse 5 down to the end of the psalm.
To God's praise we stand to sing.
Blessed is the one who truly looks for help to Jacob's God.
Blessed is the one who places all his hope upon the Lord.
He who made the earth and heaven and the seas with all their store.
He who keeps his every promise, who is faithful evermore.
He delivers from oppression and relieves the hungry flight.
He releases those in prison to the blight the Lord gives sight.
Those who are by town he raises.
God delights in righteousness.
He protects and cares for strangers, widows and the fatherless.
He frustrates the wicked's purpose.
So the Lord through endless days reigns to every generation.
Praise your God, O Zion, praise.
Let's unite our hearts in prayer.
Let us pray.
O Lord, our gracious God, we are blessed to be called the children of God.
We are blessed to be able to call upon you as our Father in heaven.
We are blessed to be able to sing praise to you and to come and offer up our worship to you for all your goodness to us.
For the blessings that are ours through your word, through your spirit, through your son, Christ Jesus.
We thank you for this, your day.
We thank you that is a day for the very purpose in which we have spent it in worshiping you, in coming and hearing your word, fellowshipping with one another, gathering round to lift up our voices to you in praise and prayer.
We thank you for this, Lord, to receive from you, Lord.
We thank you for this, Lord, to your heart, to your heart, for your heart, and to your heart.
We thank you for this, Lord, that as we gather this evening too, that we come with that sense of thankfulness for the great sacrifice that was made for us.
And we thank you that we can sing and echo these words of the psalm.
Blessed is the one who truly looks for help to Jacob's God.
Blessed is the one who places all his hope upon the Lord.
And may we seek to do that once again this evening, and not just this evening or today, but in all the days ahead, that we would go on in the wake ahead, seeking to do all these things, to place our hope upon the Lord, to continue to look to you as the one who made the earth and the heaven and the seas and all their store.
We thank you for the wonder of the world.
Glorify and praise your name, O Lord, to glorify and praise your name all our days.
But yet, O Lord, as we think of the remembrance that we have had today, we remember that Jesus came to die for us, for we are sinners.
That in our relationship with you there is a breakdown in it because of sin.
There is a great void that came between you and your people.
But yet we thank you, Lord, that even though it was all of us running away from you, turning our back to you and seeking to worship other gods,
that you have remembered us and that you continue to call us to yourself.
That you continue to remind us that all our life is found in you.
That it is only in you that we live, move, and have our being.
And we pray, Lord, that we will evermore depend upon you.
That we will look to you for all the grace that we need for day to day.
That we will look to you for grace to serve you, to love you, to honour you, and to honour your people.
That you will unite us together in our hearts.
That you will bind us together in the cords of your love.
To enable us, Lord, to be your witnesses.
To enable us to be a people who will go out from here and into the week ahead,
rejoicing in the goodness of God and showing forth our praise of you.
Telling others of the wonder of the one who is able to give life and give it abundantly.
We thank you that your gospel is good news.
That is a great news for the world in which we live.
A great news of hope.
A great news that no matter what else comes our way in this world,
that in Christ we have one who will stay close.
Closer than any brother, as the word says.
And so we pray, Lord, that you will help us to go on in the strength of the Lord.
Not seeking any glory for ourselves, but seeking the glory be yours.
For worthy is the Lamb who was slain.
And so, Lord, we thank you for our praying people here.
We thank you for the longing, the desire you put in our hearts to be united together today
and in all the times of worship we have.
And we pray that you will continue to increase that desire.
Not just to be together on the Lord's Day or the midweek, but to fellowship with one another.
To enjoy the company of one another.
Encouraging one another.
Helping one another.
Praying for one another.
May you make us a community of your people for whom it is such a natural thing
to be united together in one spirit, one mind, one heart, under one Christ.
We pray, Lord, that that would be something that would spread throughout our community,
throughout our islands, throughout our land, and throughout the world.
That your people will be built up and strengthened to all ends of the earth.
And we thank you, Lord, that you are indeed a God who is building his church.
That you are the one who is at work near and far.
That you are the one who is calling a people to himself.
That you are the one who will frustrate the wicked's purpose in this world.
When we see so much wickedness around us, Lord, we thank you that you are the one who is able
to frustrate these purposes for which wicked men turn their hands to.
We think of all that is wrong in our world.
And we think of the wickedness that we see near and far.
We pray, Lord, that you will have mercy.
That you will come in your power.
That you will direct men and women, boys and girls, to turn from their evil ways.
And to turn to you.
We thank you that your reign is to every generation.
And that for that we are able to praise your name.
And to lift up our prayers in a sense of hope.
We come in faith, O Lord, and help us that our faith will increase.
That when we feel weak, Lord, you will give us strength.
That when we feel that sense of unable to go on, Lord, that you will uphold us and strengthen us.
That you will guide our every step.
That you will sustain us on this journey.
And we thank you, Lord, that we come with that sense of prayer for one another.
And we think of all that's going on in our communities, in our homes, in our families just now, Lord.
We continue to remember those with particular needs.
Those who are unwell.
Those who are grieving.
Those who are going through various times of distress and trials in their lives.
Lord, we thank you that you know each and every one.
That you are able to bind up the brokenhearted.
That you are able to lift up those who are bowed down.
That you are the one who protects and cares for the strangers, the widows, the fatherless.
That you are the one who releases those in prison.
That you are the one who gives the blind their sight.
That you are the one who has all power and authority over all things.
That you will draw near to all your people.
To all who call upon you.
To all who call upon you in truth.
And Lord, we ask that you will continue with us this evening as we worship your name.
As we open your word together.
A word again that reminds us of why you came.
That we might have life and have a life abundantly.
and we pray Lord that you will continue to teach us through your word to guide her every step by it
and to live according to your truth so bless us in all that we do Lord the reading of your word
the singing of your praise help us to lift our voices up to you with joy with delight as offering
up our praise to the only one who is worthy bless our fellowship this evening too as we thank you
to be able to share in these times together we pray that you will encourage us through it that
you will bless Martin as he comes to speak to us at it Lord help us to pray for him and be encouraged
by him and that he would be encouraged through coming to speak to us and Lord go before us in
the week ahead be with us in all we seek to do in the meetings of our church as a congregation in so
many different ways whether it's in person in prayer meetings and serving you in different ways
whether it's online as a focal gather on Tuesday to have a time of prayer with Muriel Lord we remember
her and pray for her that you will surround her and bless her and keep her make your face to shine
upon her may she be encouraged as she serves you and as she encourages us Lord to look faithfully to
you and to trust in you so Lord hear all our prayers go before us in all our needs and pardon us for all
our sin as we confess them anew this evening hour Lord we fall short of your glory so often but we thank
you for the forgiveness that you give so Lord hear us and go before us now and all we ask we ask in Jesus
precious name and for his sake amen
well again we'll sing to God's praise this time in Psalm 23 and we'll sing Psalms page 28 of the Psalm book
Psalm 23 on page 28 again we'll sing the whole of this Psalm the tune is Tarawathi
the Lord is my shepherd no one shall I know he makes me lie down where the green pastures grow he
leads me to rest where the calm waters flow again this Psalm is our Psalm we sing often maybe not to
sing Psalms version as often but the words constantly remind us that our life our hope is found in the Lord
who is our shepherd so we'll sing the whole of this Psalm to God's praise
the Lord is my shepherd no one shall I know he makes me lie down where the green pastures grow
he leads me to rest where the calm waters flow my wandering steps he brings back to his way in straight paths of righteousness making me stay
and this he has done his great name to display
though I walk in this valley where darkness is near
because you are with me no evil I'll fear your road and your staff bring me comfort and cheer
in the sight of my enemies at able you spread the isle of rejoicing you pour on my head my cup overflows and I'm graciously fed
so surely your covenant mercy and grace will follow me closely in all of my ways
I will dwell in the house of the Lord almighty
we'll turn together to read in the gospel of Mark
we're reading in chapter 10
we take up our reading at verse 32
Mark's gospel chapter 10
I'm taking up our reading at verse 32
and we read down to the end of this chapter
Jesus and the disciples and the crowd are here traveling on their way up to Jerusalem on their way to Jerusalem just before the crucifixion
and as we see they come to the town of Jericho
and as they're leaving Jericho
they come to this encounter with Bartimaeus which is going to be our focus this evening
but we take up our reading at verse 32
and they were on the road going up to Jerusalem and Jesus was walking ahead of them
and they were amazed and those who followed were afraid
taking the twelve again he began to tell them what was to happen to him saying
see we are going up to Jerusalem and the son of man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the scribes
and they will condemn him to death and deliver him over to the Gentiles
and they will mock him and spit on him and flog him and kill him
and after three days he will rise
and James and John the sons of Sebedee came up to him and said to him
teacher we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you
and he said to them what do you want me to do for you
and they said to him grant us to sit one at your right hand and one at your left in your glory
Jesus said to them you do not know what you are asking
are you able to drink the cup that I drink
or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized
and they said to him we are able
and Jesus said to them the cup that I drink you will drink
and with the baptism with which I am baptized you will be baptized
but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant
but is for those for whom it has been prepared
and when the ten heard it they began to be indignant at James and John
and Jesus called them to him and said to them
you know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles
lord it over them
and their great ones exercise authority over them
but it shall not be so among you
but whoever would be great among you must be your servant
and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all
for even the son of man came not to be served
but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many
and they came to Jericho
and as he was leaving Jericho with his disciples
and a great crowd
Bartimaeus a blind beggar
the son of Timaeus was sitting by the roadside
and when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth
he began to cry out and say
Jesus son of David have mercy on me
and many rebuked him telling him to be silent
but he cried out all the more
son of David have mercy on me
and Jesus stopped and said call him
and they called the blind man saying to him
take heart get up
he is calling you
and throwing off his cloak
he sprang up and came to Jesus
and Jesus said to him
what do you want me to do for you
and the blind man said to him
Rabbi let me recover my sight
and Jesus said to him
go your way
your faith has made you well
and immediately he recovered his sight
and followed him on the way
Amen
and may God bless that reading from his word
so before we come to look at this passage
we'll sing together again in Psalm 34
in the Sing Psalms version
page 40 of the psalm book
Psalm 34
and we'll sing from verse 8 down to verse 14
Psalm 34 at verse 8
come taste and see the Lord is good
who trusts in him is blessed
oh fear the Lord you saints with need
you will not be oppressed
and then down at verse 12
we have these words
does anyone delight in life
and long to see good days
then keep your tongue from evil speech
your lips from lying ways
depart and turn from evil paths
and practice what is right
desire to know the way of peace
pursue it with your might
we'll sing from verse 8 down to verse 14
the tune is Kilmarnock
come taste and see the Lord is good
who trust in him is blessed
oh fear the Lord you saints with need
you will not be oppressed
young lions may grow weak and faint
and hunger for their food
but those who wait upon the Lord
will not lack any good
come here my children gather round
and listen to my word
and I will help you understand
how you may fear the Lord
does anyone delight in life
and long to see good days
then keep your tongue from evil speech
your lips from lying ways
depart and turn from evil paths
and practice what is right
desire to know the way of peace
pursue it with your might
well we can turn back to our reading in the Gospel of Mark chapter 10
our focus this evening in particular is on
verse 46 down to the end of the chapter
where Jesus meets with this man Bartimaeus
and in verse 51 we read these words
after blind Bartimaeus had got up on his feet
and came running to Jesus
Jesus said to him
what do you want me to do for you
and the blind man said to him
Rabbi let me recover my sight
and Jesus said to him
go your way
your faith has made you well
and immediately he recovered his sight
and followed him on the way
as we come to the close of our communion weekend
I want to once more just consider this passage
where we read of Bartimaeus
but consider it in light of the verse that we've been thinking about
in each of the services over the weekend
considering the reason for Jesus coming into the world
and that verse has been John 10 verse 10
where it says
the thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy
I came that they may have life
and have it abundantly
Jesus came that we might have life
and have it abundantly
and we began last evening by looking at Deuteronomy
chapter 30
where we considered the choice that was put before the people
there
the choice between life
and death
Jesus came
that we might have life abundantly
but there is another who seeks to
steal and kill
and destroy
and so we often have that choice
before us
who are we listening to
which way are we going
does anyone delight in life
as the psalmist said
and we are to pursue it
with all our might
to pursue the Lord
with all our might
so we had that choice
put before us
then this morning
as we gathered for the Lord's
supper
we were considering the one who is the source of life
Jesus who gave his body
and his blood
that we might have life
through him
and tonight I want us to conclude
this theme of the way of life
looking at the way of life
the life that Jesus is able to give in abundance
and what does abundant life look like
and how do we live it
if you were to meet Bartimaeus
and be part of the crowd that was leaving Jericho
and see Bartimaeus
your first impression wouldn't be
there's one who has an abundant life
there's not someone who has life
and life to the full
he's a beggar
he's blind
and yet as we're going to see
he saw more
than those who were walking with Jesus
even at that time
he cried out in his great need
Jesus son of David
have mercy on me
his plea was for life
and as we look at the life of Bartimaeus
we see the compassion of Jesus
we thought about it recently in the Gospel of Mark
how Jesus saw the crowd and had compassion on them
well here is another instance of Jesus showing that compassion
compassion towards this blind beggar
and we see how he gives life
and life abundant to Bartimaeus
and what Bartimaeus does is follow him on the way
and that way wouldn't be easy
that way wouldn't be all perfect in every way
it would have its ups and its down
like everyone who comes to follow Jesus
and find the life that Jesus offers abundantly
is not a life separate to challenges and trials
but it's a life with that great hope
and assurance
of not just life for now
but life abundant
and life eternal
through him
a missionary society once wrote to David Livingston
after he was out in Africa for some time
and they asked him
have you found a good road to where you are
if so we want to know how to send other men to join you
well David Livingston's reply was to write back and say
if you have men who will come only if they know there is a good road
I don't want them
I want men who will come if there is no road at all
and that is the call that Jesus puts on our lives
not that the way will be easy and perfect and straightforward
he says whoever will come after me will take up his cross and follow me
there will be burdens for us in this life
but it is not without hope
it is not without the security that he is with us
that he has come to give us life
and life in abundance
because the thief comes to steal and kill and destroy
but he has come that we might have life
and so as we look at this passage in Mark
up to this point
Mark is a fast moving gospel
things move from one place to another very quickly
and here as we come into chapter 10
we are seeing Jesus, the disciples
and a crowd making their way up to Jerusalem
and they have come to Jericho
a large town about 18 miles from Jerusalem
and they have gone through this town
and as they are leaving this town
we have this wonderful encounter between Jesus and Bartimaeus
in all the accounts of Jesus meeting with people
encountering people
this one often stands out for me
we may all have our different preferences
of Jesus' encounters with different people
you might think of the woman at the well
or other people that Jesus met
so often there is very personal encounters
that Jesus has with people
but this is one of my favourites
and it is my favourite for a number of different reasons
because you see a few things here
as he meets with Bartimaeus
there is the timing of it
and there is the attitudes of those involved in it
when you think of the timing
Jesus has just told them in verse 32 to 34
of what he is going to do
as he comes to Jerusalem
they were on the road going up to Jerusalem
Jesus was walking ahead of them
and he started to explain to them
why they were going to Jerusalem
the son of man must be delivered over
to the chief priests and the scribes
they will condemn him to death
and deliver him over to the Gentiles
he is explaining to them
why they are going
and the timing in this is
he is just before his crucifixion
and yet even in the midst of this timing
there is still this purpose in what he is doing
he is on his way to Jerusalem
to fulfil this
but you might excuse him
to not want any distractions along the way
and especially a blind beggar
who is crying out at the side of the road
but then you see his attitude
it is one way he has time
when he has time for Bartimaeus
because he came
as we read in verse 45
the son of man came not to be served
but to serve and to give his life
as a ransom for many
he came that we might have life
and have it abundantly
and he came that he might meet with
the likes of Bartimaeus
who he still had time for
and his attitude was one of compassion
towards him
and it contrasts the attitude of those who were with him
the disciples
the crowd
and the attitude you see from them
is one of mocking Bartimaeus
shouting at him to be quiet
to get away
don't bother the master
and you see the attitude of James and John
in the previous section
verse 35 to 45
their attitude of wanting glory
glory for themselves
to sit one at the right
and one at the left
in glory
this is the kind of attitudes
that were there
James and John
if you just want to notice
they come to Jesus with demands
in verse 35
teacher we want you to do for us
whatever we ask of you
they are demanding
and look at what Jesus says
he said to them
what do you want me
to do for you
and what do you see
with Bartimaeus
he didn't come
making demands
he came crying out to Jesus
Jesus son of David
have mercy on me
but look at what he says in verse 51
to Bartimaeus
Jesus said to him
what do you want me to do for you
the very same question
that he'd asked of James and John
but that attitude was one of seeking glory
and you see the contrast here in Bartimaeus
when Jesus says
what do you want me to do for you
he says Rabbi
let me recover my sight
so this is a wonderful encounter
it's a reminder to us of the personal nature
of Jesus's ministry
how he came
how he had time
how he had compassion
how he came to give life
and I want us to think for ourselves this evening
of three things from Bartimaeus' experience
three things that we can so easily apply to ourselves
as we think of what is it to have abundant life
and how do we live this life of abundance
well the first thing we're going to see is his condition
Bartimaeus' condition
the second thing we'll see is his cry
and then thirdly we'll see his cure
so first of all we see Bartimaeus
and his condition
the diagnosis for Bartimaeus is bleak
in terms of what kind of life he'd had
and what the future held for him
people would have seen him as hopeless
they were leaving Jericho
with his disciples in a great crowd
Bartimaeus a blind beggar
the son of Timaeus was sitting
by the roadside
as I said this isn't someone you would look at
and think here's someone who has great hope
in his life
and the crowd mocked him
and rebuked him
but what of Bartimaeus' condition
how would you think first of all
that this is a hopeless case
well firstly he's blind
and this isn't something that was uncommon
in Jesus' day
many eye conditions
that could easily be treated today
they were incurable in Jesus' day
and people who were blind
were often cast to the side
they were often seen as a burden
to even their own families
so they were put away
and they had nowhere to turn
to be blind was to be struck down in many ways
and your case was hopeless
and the only option was
was what we see secondly about him
his condition was
he was a beggar
he was needy
he was dependent on others
and their generosity
to help him survive
and that is how he would seem
in the eyes of those
or many of the eyes of those
who are passing by
even in our own eyes
today as you read this passage
Bartimaeus initially maybe seems like just a hopeless case
and yet as you read through
you see Bartimaeus
had a greater vision than many who were passing by
he may have been physically blind
but his eyes were seeing something else on Jesus
how so?
well first of all we see that he knew what to do
Jesus and the crowd
they were leaving Jericho
on the way up to Jerusalem
and as we were thinking of this morning
this was the time
when they were going to prepare the Passover
so many people would have been making their way up to Jerusalem
just like Jesus and his disciples
going to observe the Passover
and so Bartimaeus is here
he's in the hot spot if you like
for collecting from people
it's like we would see today
people sitting outside train stations
or busy high streets
there's the prime locations
where people will fight and jostle over
to get the prime spot
where they're likely to get something
well Bartimaeus is here outside Jericho
where many people are passing by
but more importantly
although he was able to provide for his needs
in this way physically
there was something else about Bartimaeus
that would make us see that he was not a hopeless case
he was blind physically
but he was not deaf
and as he'd been hearing people passing by
he'd have been hearing
maybe over a number of weeks or even months
he'd have been hearing people talking about Jesus
he'd have been hearing what was happening
in different places through the miracles of Jesus
through the works of Jesus
he was hearing of one who was able to help
so his condition may seem hopeless initially
but actually behind it all there is hope
he was listening
he was in the right place
we ask ourselves
what is our condition today
what is your condition in this sense tonight
are you here listening to what God is saying
are you here seeing you're in the right place
that you're hearing the word of God
are you deaf
are you shunning it
or are you listening to what is being said
are you realizing the importance of it
that here we have
Jesus as it were passing by
that he is speaking to us
Bartimaeus was blind
and yet he was able to see his greatest need
and for ourselves too
surely we need to see our greatest need is Christ
our greatest need is here before us this evening
our greatest need is perhaps something
we've been hearing about over many many years
but we've been deaf to it
we've not been listening
but we see our condition
we are indeed helpless and hopeless without Christ
but here we are under his word
it is a time of opportunity
it is another time to hear the gospel
of the riches of Christ
who is able to give us life
someone else who
recognized his own condition
was the man John Newton
in many ways he had his life
all planned out
he was in the slave trade
he was making money
living a riotous life
he thought he had his life
all planned out
but then he began to realize
his condition
and that's what brought him to write those words
amazing grace
and how sweet the sound
but look at how he describes himself in that hymn
a wretch
one who was lost
one who was blind
that is how he saw his condition
but what made the difference
in his life
grace
it was grace that taught
my heart to fear
and grace my fears relieved
how precious did that grace appear
the hour I first believed
he recognized his condition
a wretch who was lost
who was lost
and who was blind
but he was able to say
I am found
and now I see
and that is the wonder
of what Jesus has come to do
to open the eyes of the blind
to help us to see him
John Newton recognized his condition
Bartimaeus recognized his condition
and if we recognize our condition today
as lost and helpless sinners
what can we do about it
how then can we find
this abundant life
that Jesus offers
well we learn again our second lesson
from Bartimaeus
what did he do?
as Jesus was passing by
what did he do?
he cried out
out
in verse 47
and when he heard
that it was Jesus of Nazareth
he began to cry out
and say
Jesus son of David
have mercy on me
what a cry
he had
and even though it goes on to say
they began to rebuke him
telling him to be silent
what did he do?
he was stubborn
he cried out all the more
son of David
have mercy on me
he wasn't going to be turned away
he had heard who Jesus was
he was hearing that he was passing by
and he cried out
he knew that Jesus could help
he would have heard of the miracles of Jesus
healing lepers
healing the demon possessed
even bringing the dead
back to life
and here is the one
who is the source
of life
and the choice
is there before Bartimaeus
do I cry out
or not?
life or death
which is it going to be?
well he cries out
and he cries out all the more
Jesus son of David
have mercy on me
and we have to recognise
who Jesus is
for ourselves
look at the way he says it
Jesus son of David
so much understanding
behind his cry
it's not just Jesus
Jesus son of David
the fulfilment of the scriptures
the promise of God
that he would send his son
into this world
the one who was going to come
he is here before Bartimaeus
in the same way
as he appeared to the woman of Samaria at the well
and said we know that Christ is coming
and Jesus says I who you speak of
am he
he was there
he is here with Bartimaeus
and we can cry out
to the same Jesus
ourselves
Jesus son of David
have mercy on me
that is the cry
we need to have
if we want to have
that abandoned life
if we want to know
that assurance of eternal life
we need to cry out
and sometimes it's to cry out
all the more
Jesus son of David
have mercy on me
you see Bartimaeus
he realised
what Jesus could do
and is there anyone here
who doesn't know
what Jesus can do for you
the Bible makes it so clear
what Jesus can do for you
is to give you life
and life abundantly
because the alternative is
the thief who comes
to seek to kill and destroy
but Jesus has come
that we might have life
and Bartimaeus saw
his greatest opportunity
had come
for years he would have been sitting here
a blind beggar
helpless in so many ways
but as Jesus is passing by
he realises the opportunity
and he's not going to let
this opportunity pass him by
he recognises
just like Peter and the disciples
who said
you know to whom else can we go
for you have the words of eternal life
there's nowhere else
that this help is going to come from
and for Bartimaeus
there's no other help for him
apart from in Christ
so he cries out
and he recognises that this opportunity
could easily pass him by
you know if Bartimaeus had sat silently
Jesus wasn't going to pass that way
again
he was on his way to Jerusalem
on his way
to give his life as a ransom for many
and for so many
that opportunity
you let it pass by
the cry doesn't come
and Jesus is here tonight
for Bartimaeus
no cry would have been tomorrow
just another day like the one before
the one before and the one before that
no different
but as we cry out to God for help
he is able to give us
as it were a new tomorrow
a new tomorrow where we go
in the strength of the Lord
we rejoice in the hope that he gives
the life and life abundant that he is able
to give to us
in faith
we are to recognise that this
this opportunity could easily pass
us by
and you don't want to be in that situation
where you say
if only
I had another opportunity
today
if you hear his voice
as the psalmist says
do not harden
your heart
cry out
Jesus
son of David
have mercy
on me
the third and final thing we see here
is his cure
when Jesus heard
his cry
he said
call him
and they called him
and said
take heart
get up
he is calling you
Jesus
stopped
it's an amazing
image this
the crowd rebuking
Bartimaeus
mocking
telling him to be silent
but Jesus stopping and saying
call him
the climb
up to
up to Jerusalem
facing up to the fact
that he was going to his death
Jesus has this
compassion and concern
to look at the beggar
and to have time
for him
you know in many ways
you could have thought
James and John
they would have been so much more important
than this beggar
if they were to ask
you know whatever
what do you want
we want you to do for us
whatever we ask of you
you think Jesus
just tell me
and I'll do it
but he doesn't
because
their motive
was wrong
they wanted glory
and so Jesus rebuked them
but what would they have thought now
as they're seeing Jesus
saying
those very same words
to this blind beggar
what do you want me
to do for you
but look at the simplicity
of Bartimaeus' answer
Rabbi
let me recover
my sight
who is important
to Jesus in this passage
they all are
because Jesus
is showing his compassion
to James and John
even in rebuking them
he's teaching them
what it means to be a disciple
to follow him
you need to let go
the hope of glory
you need to let go
the sense of status
and power
whoever would be first among you
must be slave of all
he said
for even the son of man
came not to serve
to be served
but to serve
and to give his life
as a ransom for many
there was teaching in that
but he had a concern
concern
for Bartimaeus too
he was important as well
and that's a reminder to us
maybe we don't feel
important to Jesus
he won't trouble himself
with me
he'll see nothing in me
well what he sees is
that you are made in his image
that you have a soul
that is precious to him
and that is why he came
because the thief
wants to steal and kill
and destroy that soul
but Jesus has come
that you might have life
and have it abundantly
so as he says
what do you want me
to do for you
he says Rabbi
let me recover my sight
let me see
isn't that a beautiful response
of all the things
he could have asked for
he just says
Rabbi, teacher
let me see
and isn't that the response
that we should all want
not glory
not status
not power
not any of these things
but just to come
Lord have mercy on me
let me see
see
because this is about
not just seeing
physically
but seeing
spiritually
this is coming
as you see
what Jesus' response
go your way
your faith
has made you well
the faith was there
and Jesus opened his eyes
and I'm sure for many here tonight
the faith is there
faith is there
but your eyes
but your eyes just need
to be opened
and that's our prayer
Rabbi
teacher
let me see
sometimes we just need
to be disturbed
in our life
and there's a prayer
often attributed to
Francis Drake
and it's a prayer
that we could all pray
where he says this
disturb us Lord
when we are too well pleased
with ourselves
when our dreams have come through
because we have dreamed too little
when we arrive safely
because we have sailed too close to the shore
the shore
disturb us Lord
when with the abundance of things we possess
we have lost our thirst
for the waters of life
having fallen in love with life
we have ceased to dream of eternity
and in our efforts to build a new earth
we have allowed our vision of the new heaven to dim
disturb us
that's sometimes
what we need
disturb us
when we see the abundance of things we possess
and yet we have lost our thirst
for the waters of life
may God give us a thirst for him
a desire to see him
that as we come away
from the Lord's table today
as we come away from the Lord's day
and this season of communion
that we would come away with the response
of Bartimaeus
Rabbi let me see
and to know the blessing of the cure that Jesus gives
go your way
your faith has made you well
and to respond
like Bartimaeus
who immediately recovered his sight
and followed him
on the way
let us look
to Jesus
and see the one
who is able to give us life
and life abundant
and follow him
on the way
let us pray
our Father in heaven
we give you thanks
oh Lord
for your
remembrance of us
for your compassion towards us
that is so great
that despite
our hopelessness
despite all
the scars of sin
in our lives and in our hearts
that you are the one who shows us
so much compassion
that you are the one who even comes
and you this evening
asking us
what you want me
to do for you
and we pray Lord
to have the faith of Bartimaeus
and the hope of Bartimaeus
to cry out to the Lord
Lord Jesus
son of David
have mercy on me
and as we come
help us to see
help us to see you
and follow you on the way
as we ask it all
in Jesus name
Amen
We'll conclude
this evening by singing
to God's praise
the words of
Psalm 16
in the singed Psalms
on page 17
from verse 8
down to the end
of the Psalm
a wonderful Psalm
that reminds us
as we come away
from the Lord's table
how we are to live
we are to go on
in the life
of the strength
of the Lord
is to set him
constantly
before us
before me
constantly
I set
the Lord alone
because he is
at my right hand
I'll not be
overthrown
therefore my heart
is glad
my tongue
with joy
will sing
my body too
will rest secure
in hope
unwavering
we'll sing
from verse 8
to the end of the Psalm
to God's praise
verse 9
forget
before me
constantly
Eve
set the heart
alone
because
He
ила
set
the heart
alone
because
He
At my right hand I'll not be overthrown.
Therefore my heart is glad, my tongue which I will sing,
My body too will rest secure in open way for me.
For you will not allow my soul in death to stay,
Nor will you leave your Holy One to see the tomb decay.
You have made known to me the path of life divine.
This shall I know at your right hand, Joy from your face will shine.
Now as we're going next door, I'll give thanks for the food that's been prepared
and then close with a benediction.
And after the benediction, if you'll allow James to go to the main door,
I'll go to the door to my left hand side here.
Lord, our gracious God, we continue to look to you for all the good gifts
that you provide for us day by day.
We give you thanks, O Lord, for this day, for our fellowship,
for the blessings you have bestowed upon us, Lord, with encouragement,
with your word, with sacrament.
And we pray, Lord, that your blessing would go with us,
that we will continue in our fellowship next door to enjoy your presence
and your peace with us,
that you will bless our time and bless all the provision that has been made for us.
Lord, we thank you for all who help in every way in serving you and your people here.
And now may grace, mercy, and peace from God,
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit rest upon and abide with you all,
now and forevermore.
Amen.