Mark
10:46-52 –
Then
they came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd,
were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus (which means “son of Timaeus”),
was sitting by the roadside begging. When he heard that it was Jesus of
Nazareth, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”
Many
rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of
David, have mercy on me!”
Jesus
stopped and said, “Call him.”
So
they called to the blind man, “Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you.”
Throwing
his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus.
“What
do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him.
The
blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.”
“Go,”
said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and
followed Jesus along the road.
Luke
8:40-56 -
Now
when Jesus returned, a crowd welcomed him, for they were all expecting him.
Then a man named Jairus, a synagogue leader, came and fell at Jesus’ feet,
pleading with him to come to his house because his only daughter, a girl of
about twelve, was dying.
As
Jesus was on his way, the crowds almost crushed him. And a woman was there who
had been subject to bleeding for twelve years, but no one could heal her. She
came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak, and immediately her
bleeding stopped.
“Who
touched me?” Jesus asked.
When
they all denied it, Peter said “Master, the people are crowding and pressing
against you.”
But
Jesus said, “Someone touched me; I know that power has gone out from me.”
Then
the woman, seeing that she could not go unnoticed, came trembling and fell at
his feet. In the presence of all the people, she told why she had touched him
and how she had been instantly healed. Then he said to her, “Daughter, your
faith has healed you. Go in peace.”
While
Jesus was still speaking, someone came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue
leader. “Your daughter is dead,” he said. “Don’t bother the teacher anymore.”
Hearing
this, Jesus said to Jairus, “Don’t be afraid; just believe, and she will be
healed.”
When
he arrived at the house of Jairus, he did not let anyone go in with him except
Peter, John and James, and the child’s father and mother. Meanwhile, all the
people were wailing and mourning for her. “Stop wailing,” Jesus said. “She is
not dead but asleep.”
They
laughed at him, knowing that she was dead. But he took her by the hand and
said, “My child, get up!” Her spirit returned, and at once she stood up. Then
Jesus told them to give her something to eat. Her parents were astonished, but
he ordered them not to tell anyone what had happened.
We
were greeted warmly by the pastor, who was part of the reason for our visit.
This delightful young woman went to Grove City with one of our daughters and it
has been a joy to note her growth as a pastor.
The
people manning the doors all spoke to us and during the passing of Christ’s
Peace nearby people greeted us. Actually this is a church I like to visit…I like
the wide pew spacing and the lower peaked ceiling focuses to the atrium-like
chancel area.
I
remember this pastor’s comfort in offertory prayers and that is evident now in
the sermon and rest of the service.
The
sermon asked, how is God calling us to step out in faith? We should also
consider how our stepping out in faith might inspire others in their walk.
The
music this morning was inspired, showing how just a few can be enough. The
drums at the end were particularly enjoyable.
It
has been about three years since we last visited this church and it is just as
well kept and modern-looking as I recalled. One big difference today, though,
was that the Welcome Area was occupied by tables full of international hand-made
crafts and other products from SERRV. In case this organization is new to you,
check out their website at www.serrv.org.
We
opted for the 8:45 service for this visit and had a little time to look around.
I did not remember seeing the children’s area before: it was colorful and
bright and very attractive.
The
pastor has been a friend of our daughter’s since they attended Grove City
College together, and it was a blessing, as always, to see her. We encountered
some friendly people before and after worship, and many greetings were
exchanged during the Passing of the Peace.
The
sermon was entitled “Interrupted” and spoke to an interesting connection among
the stories in these two passages of Scripture.
This
sermon referred to the persistence, faith, and desperation of Bartimaeus,
Jairus, and the woman with the issue of blood, and how Jesus honored the faith
of all three. He responded with grace and compassion, showing each that
although society considered them outcasts, they were worthy of His time and
attention.
She
pointed out that these three stories clearly indicate that some of the greatest
results come from unplanned opportunities. Oftentimes the interruptions in our
lives are God’s attempt to interrupt our expectations so He can give us more
than we even think to ask. Her suggestion was that we work to show the same
grace and compassion when our lives are interrupted. Sometimes great blessings
come when we let go of what we know and expect.
One
statement that caught my ear had to do with the Great Commission as given in
Matthew 28:19-20, where Jesus said: “Therefore go and make disciples of all
nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the
Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And
surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” She declared that the
word “go” is more accurately translated “as you are going.” So although “going”
as we have is a fine thing to do, it seems it is also quite acceptable to make
disciples “as we are going” through life. And how might our perspective change
if we choose to view the incidents we see as interruptions as God-ordained
appointments instead.
Heavenly Father, we pray this church continues to step out in faith to take Christ to the community and the world. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
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