Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-

 Lent: transforming spectatorship to discipleship

St. Mark 10: 46-52

Chinese philosopher Han Feizi made this observation about life: "Knowing the facts is easy. Knowing how to act based on the facts is difficult."

The account of Jesus' healing of Bartimaeus, a blind man, is found in Mark 10:46-52. As Jesus and his disciples left the city, they were followed by a large crowd. Sitting by the roadside begging, Bartimaeus heard that Jesus was passing by and began calling out the Messianic title, "Son of David, have mercy on me!" Bartimaeus continued to cry out for assistance despite being chastised by the mob. Despite the efforts of those around him to calm him down, Bartimaeus keeps pleading for Jesus. Finally, Bartimaeus responds, "Rabbi, I want to see." Jesus tells him that his faith has healed him, and immediately his eyes are open. He gets up and follows Jesus.

This story is a powerful reminder of the importance of faith and persistence. Bartimaeus was not deterred by the people around him who tried to quiet him down. He knew that Jesus could heal him, and he was persistent in his cries for help. Bartimaeus' persistence and unwavering faith in Jesus despite the efforts of others to silence him is also an inspiration to us to boldly seek out Jesus in our own lives, even when others may discourage us or tell us to be quiet. Bartimaeus' persistence in calling out to Jesus despite being rebuked by the crowd also serves as a reminder of the importance of perseverance and faith in seeking help from God. It is also a reminder that sometimes, the things we ask for in prayer might seem impossible, but with faith in God, all things are possible.

This passage also focuses on the liberation from his bondage. There is a shift in his identity from a wayside beggar to a disciple. When Jesus hears him, he calls for Bartimaeus to be brought to him. Bartimaeus throws off his cloak, jumps up, and goes to Jesus. Jesus asks him, "What do you want me to do for you?" Bartimaeus responds, "Rabbi, I want to see."

Jesus tells Bartimaeus, "Go, your faith has healed you." Immediately, Bartimaeus receives his sight and follows Jesus on the way. He is liberated from his bondage. Jesus gave him a new identity. "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery." (Gal 5:1). Lent is the time to identify our spiritual blindness. There are numerous instances of people demonstrating spiritual blindness in the Bible. For instance, the pride and legalism of the Pharisees frequently rendered them blind, making it challenging for them to perceive Jesus as the Messiah. Similar to how Paul was blind to the truth of Jesus' teaching before becoming a Christian until he had a life-changing encounter with Him on the road to Damascus. Lent also reminds us to follow Jesus closely as the disciple and not to continue as a spectator.

It takes a willingness to seek God's truth and the Holy Spirit's direction to overcome spiritual blindness. This calls for a contrite and teachable heart that is open to rebuke and prepared to yield to God's purpose. In addition, examining and reflecting on God's word can aid in overcoming spiritual blindness and improving comprehension of His truth.
 
Prayer
Heavenly Father, heal us and remove our spiritual blindness so that we transform from mere spectators to your disciples, spreading healing to everyone around us. Amen
 
Rev. Sonu Skariah Varghese
St. Thomas MTC, Cypress, Texas

Christian Education Forum, Diocese of NAE of the Mar Thoma Church

Popular posts from this blog

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
  Constant, patient and welcoming love of God   St. Luke 15: 11-32  V.21: And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ The parable of the ‘Prodigal son’ is one of the most frequently quoted parables that Jesus told His disciples. The parable contains the rich mine of human virtues and emotions. This parable is lived and re-lived in progressing civilizations from time immemorial and continuing. It brings out in vivid detail the pathetic depth of human sinfulness and the glorious heights of God’s forgiveness.      As a story of human nature, fathers are generally merciful to their children in any circumstance. They are very protective and are eager to provide for and secure the lives of their offspring. Jesus is telling this parable to underscore the superlative love of God to His children. The nature of such love is reiterated by Jesus in Matthew 7:11. Humankind who are evil by nature, give good gifts t
Read more

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
PRIESTHOOD: THE ANOINTED MINISTRY Exodus 40:12-16 Bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance to the Tent of Meeting... wash them with water. Then dress Aaron in the sacred garments, anoint him and consecrate him so he may serve me as priest (Exodus 40: 12-13). Priesthood among the people of God was a divine command and initiation. God wanted some people to be separated for the special ministry among his people. God appointed Aaron and his descendants to take up this kind of ministry among the people of God. Priests are always separated and appointed as channels that connect God with his people. All throughout the history of Israel, priests played an important role in connecting people with God and to lead and guide them in the statutes of God. But there are incidents in the Bible where the priests failed in their duties and that led the people to go away from God. So the priests have a special and significant ministry to perform in this world among his people. Two important things
Read more

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
Revelation for Liberation Acts 27:18-26 Sherine Thomas Long Island MTC, NY 20  When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest raged, all hope of our being saved was at last abandoned. “After winter comes the summer.  After night comes the dawn.  And after every storm, there comes clear open skies” so said a Scottish clergyman from the 1600s. It’s been said, that hope can sometimes be the most dangerous weapon.  However, it’s sometimes the hardest weapon to carry when you’re living with the loss of a loved one, something that almost feels like a terrible nightmare that’ll never go away.  It’s a weapon difficult to carry when day in and day out no one seems to hear or see those tears that are shed or silent cries that are made during a heartfelt prayer. It’s a weapon difficult to carry as you see your loved one lying on that hospital bed.  It’s a weapon difficult to carry as you search and seek out answers to tell a child as to why they’ve been a
Read more