A “Blind” Beggar
A “Blind” Beggar
In this week’s Gospel reading we find Bartimaeus, a blind beggar who sits on the outskirts of the city of Jericho—an oasis on the edge of a desert but also at the beginning of a mountain pass that leads up to Jerusalem. It’s here that Bartimaeus declares that Jesus is the Son of David.
The fact that he’s sitting on the outskirts of Jericho also has rich biblical significance. Jericho is the city of song and story. It's the place where Joshua “fit" the battle and the walls came a tumblin’ down. But Jericho was also the great impediment to Israel’s entry into the Promised Land. So when God brought victory at Jericho, this former limitation became the gateway to the victory of God.
And it’s here that Jesus performs his final miracle before his triumphal entry into Jerusalem on what would come to be called Palm Sunday.
Apparently Bartimaeus doesn’t understand this fully, but he will become the herald of the great victory of God simply because he “sees” better than most who Jesus really is.
I look forward to exploring this with you Sunday.
Steve+
NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
Eliot Society Lecture and Performance at Redeemer: “A Place to Be: Gospel Resonances in Classical Music” with Roger W. Lowther—TOMORROW, October 26, 7:00PM, Redeemer Sanctuary More information and free tickets here.
Adult Italian Dinner—Saturday November 2, 5:30-8PM. Join us in our Parish Hall as we host an Adult Italian Dinner to mark Redeemer’s 15th Anniversary. RSVP and pay electronically here.
Second Sunday Sandwiches—Sunday, November 10 following worship.
November Vestry Meeting—Sunday, November 10 following Second Sunday Sandwiches.
Redeemer Annual Meeting—Sunday, December 8 following worship and a light brunch.
Lessons and Carols—Tuesday, December 24, 5PM followed by a favorite hors d’oeuvres and wine reception.
Holy Communion—Christmas morning, 11:00AM
Photo Credit: Issac Burke/Unsplash
