Don't Let This Moment Pass You By 15 March 2008

Mark 10:46-52
Saturday, 15 March 2008

Timing is everything. Strike while the iron is hot. Seize the day. Tomorrow is not promised. I am sure there are a hundred other common sayings in the English language that remind a person that opportunity does not always knock twice. And each of us has a testimony of chances that we missed that never came around again.

Jesus has passed through Jericho, a city just fifteen miles, less than a day's walk from his destination Jerusalem. His miracles and teaching continue to attract followers and a crowd accompanies him and listens to his teaching. Murmurings in the crowd indicate to Bartimaeus that the source of the commotion is the presence of Jesus of Nazareth. Bartimaeus recognizes that opportunities for him are a few and far between. He cries out. "Jesus Son of David have mercy on me." Bystanders seek to quiet him, but he does not relent. He grows even louder. Jesus calls for him. He leaves behind what is likely his only possession, his cloak. When Jesus asks what he wants, Bartimaeus is specific. "I want to see again."

Talking about the ascension of a legally blind man David Paterson to office of governor of New York, Stephen Kuusisto wrote how perceptive blind people are by necessity. They are especially known for listening well. Like Bartimaeus we are sometimes sitting at the crossroads waiting for our chance to see significant change in our circumstances. Unfortunately, we are not always perceptive enough to make the most of the chances that we do have. Jesus by his Spirit is passing through our midst even now. I pray that we will not miss hearing what he has to say or experiencing his transformative power.

Sing, "Amazing Grace"

Let us pray:
Thank you Jesus, for coming by again. Forgive us, Lord, for the ways in which we are prone to take your presence in our neighborhood for granted and for all of the opportunities we squandered in consequence of that negligence. Help us now to redeem the time. Open our hearts and make us relentless and unwavering in our determination not to miss another chance to see you and to have you heal and remake us. Thank you, Jesus, for coming by again. Amen.