VICTORY: COMMIT

This week will be very special for us. Our confirmation class will make their public profession of faith in Jesus Christ.  This is never a routine moment!  It is a step of faith and a moment of victory for their hearts and lives. These youth are claiming the victory of Jesus Christ over sin. In our series Victory, it is fitting to celebrate this step of faith with the sermon, Commit based on Mark 10:42-52. All of us want to feel a sense of strength as we confront the circumstances in our lives.  The situation in Mark is a genuine contrast.  It begins with Jesus speaking to his disciples about the difference between the use of power in this world and the use of power in God’s Kingdom.  The world’s image of power is domination, but in the Christian life, it is servanthood and sacrifice. This passage ends with an illustration of miraculous healing but also a path to transformation and discipleship. As Jesus enters Jericho, the blind beggar Bartimaeus begins to cry out for Jesus to heal him and let him see!  Everyone else tries to get Bartimaeus to be quiet, but he yelled that much louder.  Jesus calls him over, and of course, heals him, but there is more to this story than we can see! Bartimaeus receives far more than just his sight, and this simple incident helps us to overcome our own blindness. We pray as you read Mark 10:42-52 that you will sense Jesus responding to your cries and he will open your eyes to the great love and strength he has for you in this moment.

Mark 10:42-52: Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. ⁴³ Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, ⁴⁴ and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. ⁴⁵ For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” ⁴⁶ 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. ⁴⁷ When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” ⁴⁸ Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” ⁴⁹ Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” So they called to the blind man, “Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you.” ⁵⁰ Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus. ⁵¹ “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him. The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.” ⁵² “Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road. (NIV)