The gospel lectionary reading for the so-called Last Sunday after Trinity (or Trinity 22) in this Year B is the story of the healing of blind Bartimaeus in Mark 10.46–52.
This reading has an appeal at two levels. First, it is in Mark’s usual lively and direct style, and has a similar feeling to some of the very personal accounts in Luke; it bears comparison with the other story set in Jericho, the call of Zacchaeus in Luke 19.1–10, since both stories offer a concise but vivid characterisation of the main character in the story, and both are named. This is the only healing story in Mark where the one healed is also named.
But it also forms a satisfying end to this section of Mark’s gospel, completing the journey to Jerusalem that began in chapter 8, and will reach its denouement in the coming chapters.
Come and join Ian and James as they discuss this fascinating passage. Full commentary will follow in the next article.
Matthew – exact numbers – tax collector, seems simples?
Ah! Jericho “the garden city” was the enterance in to the Promised Land.
After decades of unbelief they were called to “the obedience of faith” [Romans 1 : 5 ]
Conquest consequently came upon their obedience to God’s word.
The word “obedience” comes from the Latin oboedire meaning whose most fundamental meaning is to “hear through.” The implication is that the hearer commits to listen to the will and intent of the one asking the obedience; “the obedience of faith” in Romans 1:5 as referring to the response of faith, trust in God, that is both intellectual and obedient. This means that faith/trust is not simply a passive belief or assent to certain truths, but it also involves an active response of obedience to our best understanding of God’s will.
Therefore, the obedience of faith encompasses both belief and action. It involves living out the teachings of Christ, following His commandments, and cooperating with the grace of God. It is through this obedience of faith that one participates in the saving work of Christ and grows in holiness.
Like a good tree naturally producing good fruit. It doesn’t have to ‘think’ about producing fruit. They just happen. Such is holiness. /stfrncis.org/the-obedience-of-faith/
Paul in Romans 1 v 5 speaks of his service as subsequent to his blinding and then the grace/Mercy of God who commissioned him to preach the obedience of faith.
Bartimaeus gives further “insights” as to the culmination of “who then can be saved?”
Gates have great significance in the Scriptures and how one enters the kingdom is significant
Along with sola faith we might well add “ and by sola mercy.”
Gates have great significance in the Scriptures and how one enters the kingdom is significant.
Along with sola faith we might well add “and by sola mercy.”
As the giant walls of the city had fallen by the simplest means, so now the darkness was conquered by light through a single word.
MERCY! In all the turmoil in Church, Culture and Nation who is crying out Mercy! And that Relentlessly?
Jesus cried out for mercy on the Cross for his persecutors and replicated in the martyr Stephens’ cry.
What Bartimaeus understood about the ultimate fulfillment of the Davidic promises {Covenant}, we of course cannot know. But he understood, evidently, a great deal about it, and he knew that there was an everlasting covenant made with David, and it had sure and faithful mercies
Now when we say the “sure mercies of David,” we mean mercies that will be carried out, that is, that the men for whom they are given will actually experience them.
Some may want to ignore the Scriptures of Jesus’ time and the centrality of mercy in the Jewish economy, thinking, that Christianity is of a different order. “Jesus shows us a new and living way through His Blood and Sacrifice”
Yes, but what is that new and living way?
The office and work of the Priests and their sacrificial offerings was to obtain Mercy for the people, the people waited outside the Holy of Holies to see if he did in fact obtain Mercy for them. Would there be mercy or judgement?
Of the “new and living way” it is for the purpose of obtaining mercy….
Heb 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
We may do well to soak well and long in the book of Hebrews.
How shall we escape if we neglect so great Salvation?
And what a great fillip it must have been for Jesus to continue on that way in order to obtain mercy for the people.
The conquest of the land beginning in Jerico passed through David to Jerusalem and the throne.