MERCY, ME

SCRIPTURE

Mark 10:32-34, 46-52 (NRSV)
Jesus approaches Jerusalem

They were on the road, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking ahead of them; they were amazed, and those who followed were afraid. He took the twelve aside again and 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 handed over to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death; then they will hand him over to the Gentiles; they will mock him, and spit upon him, and flog him, and kill him; and after three days he will rise again." ...

They came to Jericho. s he and his disciples and a large crowd were leaving Jericho, Bartimaeus son of Timaeus, a blind beggar, was sitting by the roadside. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout out and say, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" Many sternly ordered him to be quiet, but he cried out even more loudly, "Son of David, have mercy on me!" Jesus stood still and said, "Call him here." And they called the blind man, saying to him, "Take heart; get up, he is calling you." So throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus. Then Jesus said to him, "What do you want me to do for you?" The blind man said to him, "My teacher, let me see again." Jesus said to him, "Go; your faith has made you well." Immediately he regained his sight and followed him on the way.

MEDITATION—Today is Saturday Psalmody! Today, the meditation is offered as a psalm from my heart. If you would like a more traditional devotion, please search the archives for a title that appeals to you! (smile)



MERCY, ME…

We are following you along the road to Jerusalem
It is a frightful road
A scary road
A dark road

It is full of potholes and large bumps
It is a treacherous road
Enemies are lurking behind every tree, rock, and hill
They are standing in ambush around the corners

Our stomachs are fluttering
full of a million butterflies
struggling to go free

You keep telling us that this is a death march
Why then would we go up with you?
Why then have we not tied you up and hidden you away until you come to your senses?

Jesus! We love you! Do not leave us in this way…
What do you mean “in three days you will rise from the dead?”
That doesn’t make sense.
If they kill you, all of our hope is gone.
If they kill you, where then is Messiah?
If they kill you
our dreams
will scatter
to the four winds
And be
no more…

JESUS!
Be quiet.

JESUS!
Shut up.

JESUS!
Leave him alone.

JESUS!
JESUS!
JESUS! HAVE MERCY ON ME!

Do you want us to shake you?

Who are you?

Blind.

Stupid.

Loud.

Go away.

We are marching to Jerusalem
to die.

JESUS!
JESUS!
SON of DAVID! HAVE MERCY ON ME!
Bring him here…

Bring him?
Yes,
Bring him.

What do you desire?
My Lord and My God
I wish
to see…
(you).

Your faith has made you well.

All of you!
Listen!

Your FAITH has made you WELL.
Your FAITH (in me) has made you WELL.
Your FAITH (in my love) has made you WELL.
Your FAITH (in my love and my sacrifice) has made you WELL.
Your FAITH (in my love and my sacrifice and my promise) has made you WELL.
Your FAITH
Has Made
You WELL!

Go in peace;
Serve the Lord.
Thanks be to God!

ANNOUNCEMENTS
If you have questions about how to become a friend and follower of Jesus, please see the devotion entitled, "Come to Jesus" found at
http://aintathatgoodnews.blogspot.com/2009/03/come-to-jesus.html

We are celebrating with the 8 people who have recently put all their hope in Jesus! Happy Re-birthday!

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