Mark 10:46-52: Open our Eyes Lord

 Presented to TSA Nipawin Corps 03 May 2009 and TSA Alberni Valley Ministries 09 June 2024 by Captain (Major) Michael Ramsay

 

This is the 2024 BC Version, to read the 2009 SK version, click here:  https://sheepspeaks.blogspot.com/2009/05/mark-1046-52-open-our-eyes-lord-we-want.html

 

People are in Toronto now for Commissioner Floyd Tidd’s Celebration of Life. Later in June Commissioning will be held in Mississauga. In thinking about this I am reminded of when we were commissioned many years ago in Winnipeg and then 2 years after that we went to something called Captains’ Institute in Toronto.

 

Captains’ Institute was where you would get together for a few days with people that you went to CFOT (seminary) with. It was a good chance to talk, listen, pray, and find out the sort of things that God is doing in the lives of people that we used to spend so much time with, people with whom the Lord has already allowed us to connect with spiritually.

 

We had the opportunity to share stories about our ministries and offer assistance to our colleagues but it wasn’t just about connecting we also got to pray and worship and learn together. At one point we were able to join in spiritual activity known as ‘Lectio Devina’ – It is a neat activity where we reflect on various passages of scripture and look for and listen to what the LORD is telling us and then share this in a group. The passage that we looked at was Mark 10:46-52. We read through this a number of times each time seeking an answer – in silence – to a number of questions and then sharing those answers with each other. We were to listen for a word or phrase that struck us from the passage. We were to meditate on that word or that passage in our own life. We were to seek the Lord as to an appropriate response and then we were to pray for each other. I will read now (Mark 10:46-52) from the New Living Translation:

 

46 Then they reached Jericho, and as Jesus and his disciples left town, a large crowd followed him. A blind beggar named Bartimaeus (son of Timaeus) was sitting beside the road. 47 When Bartimaeus heard that Jesus of Nazareth was nearby, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

48 “Be quiet!” many of the people yelled at him.

But he only shouted louder, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”

49 When Jesus heard him, he stopped and said, “Tell him to come here.”

So they called the blind man. “Cheer up,” they said. “Come on, he’s calling you!” 50 Bartimaeus threw aside his coat, jumped up, and came to Jesus.

51 “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked.

“My rabbi,” the blind man said, “I want to see!”

52 And Jesus said to him, “Go, for your faith has healed you.” Instantly the man could see, and he followed Jesus down the road.

 

Here was my revelation at the time about this pericope: Jesus is busy. His disciples are busy. They are doing the work of God. They are traveling the countryside and the Judean townships spreading the work of God. They are busy.

 

I don’t know if any of us ever get so busy that we just don’t feel like we have time for anyone. It seems every season here is busy. I finish one season and we are on to the next. Busy with family; busy with work; me when I just got back from time with family I was working full steam ahead with Port Pub, HR, BC Housing, Heather had dance, band and school events. After the service today we are back to meet family in Victoria only to return here again tonight. I have grant applications due tomorrow: busy.

 

When Jesus is busy with a large crowd and his disciples traveling to Jericho, there is a street person. There’s a beggar. He is just sitting there and then as Jesus and this crowd come near. He just starts to shout at them. He starts to yell. He shouts! He shouts, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me! Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me! Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”[2]

 

I don’t imagine that he just called this out a couple of times or in a quiet and an orderly fashion (vs. 47) because it says that many of the people rebuked him and told him to be quiet but he shouted all the more (vs. 48). Can you imagine if you went to a concert or to see a famous person and he is coming near and you’ve taken time off work and camped out for days and he’s finally coming near and you are trying to see and hear what he is doing and there is this smelly, dirty street person just yelling at the top of his lungs right when the person is coming by? Right when you actually have a chance to hear him in person. Some marginalized person is yelling “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me! Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

 

It must have been quite annoying for them and not for just one of them, not for just a couple of them but many of them. Many of the people who were following Jesus told the beggar to ‘knock it off!’ as it were. They told him to ‘be quiet!’ and they rebuked him (vs. 48) all the more! He was getting in the way of their seeing and hearing Jesus! “Be quiet,’ they said. ‘Stop it!’

 

But Jesus heard him and Jesus stopped. Jesus is the one who stopped (vs. 49). He listens to the man. Jesus asks the noisy beggar what he wants him to do for him (vs. 51) and then Jesus does it (vs. 52). Jesus is busy. The people with Jesus are busy. Jesus takes the time to listen, to hear what the man wants and as the man comes to God in persistent, noisy, confrontational faith, Jesus gives him what he asks for.

 

When someone interrupts us in our busy lives, when we see that annoying person who can just grate on everyone’s nerves, when we are in a hurry, how do we treat the people God sends to us? Do we take the time to ask the people who we come across in life how we can help them or do we just brush them aside? When we are busy and our children or grandchildren want us to read the Bible to them, when we are busy and people knock on our doors with a question or a concern do we open it? Are we open to them? What do we do? What do we do?

 

God encourages us even when times are difficult. Verse 49 – the people say to the man, as Jesus is calling him, “Cheer up.”[3] There are times when life may seem difficult when we need to be offered the comforting words of ‘cheer up.’

 

This brings us to two things the really struck me initially about ‘Lectio Devina’ and this text here. One is Mercy. The Lord took mercy upon those who called upon his Name and I trust that He will also have mercy on all of us.

 

The other is faith: God calls us to step out in faith. Bartimaeus stepped out in faith. Even though Bart couldn’t see what was happening. Even though Bart couldn’t possibly see what lay ahead. Even though Bart wasn’t able to see the Lord when He was right in front of him. Even though those around him were telling him NOT to cry out to the LORD. Even though those around him – who were also seeking the Lord – were trying to prevent Bart from coming before the Lord. Even though people in the crowds following Jesus tried to stop this man from reaching Him. He called out. Bart called out to the Lord.

 

And when Bart called out – even though he could not see the Lord – when Bartimaeus called out, the Lord could, would and did see him. The Lord loves him. The Lord has mercy on him and the Lord says to him, “Go, for your faith has healed you.” Bart’s eyes are opened and he in that moment follows the Lord down life’s road.

 

This message is for me and this message is for us. For now we see through not only the eternal glass darkly, but we also only have a blind man’s view of our immediate future here. We do not see right now where God is in this. We do not see what Jesus is doing. We do not see what lies ahead. We cannot possibly see that but what we can do is call upon Jesus. What we can do is call upon Jesus over and over again. What we need to do is to not take ‘no’ for an answer from any who would want to discourage us from seeking the Lord in faith. What we need to do is to call persistently on the Lord in this time and in the times ahead and as we do, I have faith that He will heal us; He will open our eyes and He will make it so we too can see Jesus.

 

Let us pray.

Open our eyes Lord, we want to see Jesus.

http://www.sheepspeak.com/

Thoughts on a Trip to Ontario

 Presented to TSA AVM, 02 June 2024 by Major Michael Ramsay. 

 

Susan and I and all three of our kids went to Ontario this past week to attend a Celebration of Life for Susan’s aunt. We also got to see a little bit of the sites and Sarah-Grace saw a friend or two from our time living out there. Today I am going to share a few scriptures, pictures, and reflections on our family trip to Ontario.

 

Remember (Ex 12:24-27, 1 Cor 11:23-25)

Exodus 12:24-27:

24 “Obey these instructions as a lasting ordinance for you and your descendants. 25 When you enter the land that the Lord will give you as he promised, observe this ceremony. 26 And when your children ask you, ‘What does this ceremony mean to you?’ 27 then tell them, ‘It is the Passover sacrifice to the Lord, who passed over the houses of the Israelites in Egypt and spared our homes when he struck down the Egyptians.’” Then the people bowed down and worshiped.

 

1 Corinthians 11:23-25:

23 For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” 25 In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.”

 

We saw a lot of neat things on our trip. We saw a lot of statues, artwork and displays. We did see a bit of history when we were on our trip. We saw an old city hall in Woodstock that had one of Canada’s fist woman mayors. It was neat seeing the historic City Hall because it was flying what was Canada’s flag back then which is, of course, the Union Jack. We also saw the ROM and interesting displays from Byzantium, Rome, ancient Korea, and China. Did you know that China had a moveable type printing press about 200 years before Gutenberg? We often look for historic Salvation Army things on our trips – our first hotel was actually across the street from a Salvation Army – or family stuff: we did drive by a town called Ramsay. In one museum I was able to see some old Rotary stuff. That was neat because I am a Rotarian. We often look through old churches and read about their history.

 

Our Faith history is so important. We are told in the scriptures to never forget what the Lord has done for us. The is what Passover and then communion are all about. The is what testimonies are about. That is a big part of what the Bible is about too – it is (as well as everything else) an anthology, a collection of stories of what the Lord has done throughout history and whatever we can learn from other people’s mistakes can save us from making the same errors. I invite us all to make every effort to remember our faith history. As we remember our faith history – both in the Bible and from our own and others testimonies – it will encourage us to persevere and share that hope we have in Jesus with everyone we meet.

 

And then it is done (James 4:13-15, Luke 12:20)

James 4:13-15:

13 Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” 14 Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. 15 Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.”

 

Luke 12:20

20 “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’

 

We were in Ottawa for a memorial service. This reminds us that indeed we never know when our time will end here, when we will be called home or – as we used to live in Ontario and our job is what it is - even when we will move to a new appointment, a new community. We never know when will be the last time we will see someone we love. I have friends I used to see everyday in different towns we used to live whom I haven’t now seen for years and I may never see again. I thought of this as we had all three of our children together, the Ramsay five, on a trip. That doesn’t happen very much anymore. Our last big trips have only had two or three people, the ones before that four people. It has been a long time since we had all five of us on a trip together. Who knows when that will happen again?

 

This relates to our faith as well. If you love someone you probably do want to share your faith with them. Let them know about Jesus and how God loves you and looks out for you now and will do so forever – even after you die. You never know when the last time you will see someone is so please do share with them the reason that you do have hope in this life and the next – don’t keep them guessing.

 

Just Visiting (Heb 13:14, 2 Cor 5:1-2)

Hebrews 13:14 (LB):

For this world is not our home; we are looking forward to our everlasting home in heaven.

 

2 Corinthians 5:1-2 (CEV):

Our bodies are like tents that we live in here on earth. But when these tents are destroyed, we know that God will give each of us a place to live. These homes will not be buildings someone has made, but they are in heaven and will last forever. 2 While we are here on earth, we sigh because we want to live in that heavenly home.

 

It was interesting visiting Toronto, if only for a very little while. We saw the ROM. That was good. We weren’t there long. We didn’t get to see any friends – well Sarah-Grace did; she was prepared but the rest of us didn’t. It did remind me, like it has reminded me when we have visited other places we used to live – Winnipeg, Nipawin, Swift Current, Victoria, Vancouver – that things continue to change when we aren’t there and very quickly the people and places we used to know are not there. Toronto was where we lived just prior to here and already some of our friends have passed away; the two corps we led no longer exist; the buildings we used to worship in are not in use by the Army anymore and the Ministry Unit names do not even exist anymore – they have faded into memory and soon those memories will be gone to. Truthfully, the community of Regent Park, as it was, is now just a memory.

 

Just like Toronto is not our home anymore, this world is not our home for any of us really. Just like Susan and I are moved from one community to the next, we all here are just passing through this time and place. Our home is in heaven with our Lord and Saviour and one day He will return bringing our home with Him and there will be a whole new heavens and earth and even more than that: also our very bodies are not really our homes either – here and now they keep getting older! But one day the tent that is our body will be replaced we will have new bodies that no longer decay and age! This is certainly something to look forward to!

 

Joy  (1 Thess 5:16-18, Phil 4:4)

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18:

16 Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

 

Philippians 4:4:

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!

 

There were many great things about our trip, including just being together but -believe it or not – it was not perfect! The children and everyone else didn’t always get along perfectly – especially when we are travelling in a car for hours together and then sleeping three or so people in a twin bed – when our children aren’t little anymore. And then after having no sleep for a few nights driving and flying through the whole night, one can be tired and cranky. There is a little rainfall in everyone’s life. But here is the thing, the Lord is with us in everything we experience. He will never leave us nor forsake us. A friend of ours, Major David Ivany, whom we have quoted regularly, regularly says, ‘in the end it will all be all right; so, if it is not all right it is not the end’. I think that is a wonderful encouragement to persevere in the strength of the Lord.

 

Be Prepared (2 Tomothy 4:2)

2 Timothy 4:2:

Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.

 

We went to Ontario couple of days before the Celebration of Life. We spent our first two nights in a community called Woodstock because it was within driving distance of Stratford. You know what Stratford is famous for? It’s Shakespeare Festival! That is quite interesting. Do you know the history of the festival? Stratford Ontario, as we know, is named after Stratford, UK. And Stratford UK has a strong connection with William Shakespeare. So the Tom Patterson a few years after returning from World War II started the festival to help revive his home town. It is really worked and the town and the festival are still going and bigger than ever.

 

Now, we were one week early to actually catch the festival itself but we did get to see one play: Romeo and Juliet. This was especially good because Sarah-Grace was with us and she is, of course, studying Shakespeare at UVic. She knows Shakespeare – all the nuances, all the history, all the comedy, everything! It was good: I was also able to get her birthday present while we were there a book where a bunch of scholars debate Shakespeare – the kind of book only a university student could appreciate! At one point before we went to the show, she actually was reading Romeo and Juliet with full commentary as we were driving for hours in the car before the show. She was prepared for Stratford! And she prepared her sisters and us for Stratford! She was so prepared she even wore shoes with Shakespeare’s face on them!

 

Like the scriptures says we need to be prepared in and out of season to share our faith. In the old days I used to carry little New Testaments in my pocket but now the Bible is all online. But I encourage you all to be prepared for when the opportunity presents itself, to share your faith arises. Like Sarah-Grace had her Shakespeare shoes and a copy of the play, maybe have a few good Bible quotes, memory verses or a testimony ready to go, off the top of your head, just in case. Even offering a prayer for someone in need. I encourage you to be a prepared as Sarah-Grace!

 

Oh, and one more thing. Not only was she prepared when we saw Romeo and Julliet – look at this picture. We stopped by a place called primitive designs that had many neat designs, including a shark sculpture and Sarah-Grace was prepared. Here she is with a Shark dress!

 

Actually I guess that is the moral of today’s message: be a Sarah-Grace! Now you don’t need to go out and buy a shark dress or shoes with your favourite playwright on them. You don’t need to coordinate your clothes perfectly with every activity you are participating in but you should always do your best to be prepared, to share your faith and what you know about our Lord and Saviour with everyone you meet. Be ready to offer a word of encouragement to those you meet,

 

Let us pray.