October 26, 2003
Some congregations may observe the
Festival of Reformation on the Sunday before November 1. The
text study for Reformation Day is provided as a separate
commentary.
Prayer of the Day
Almighty and everlasting God, increase in us the gifts of
faith, hope, and charity; and, that we may obtain what you promise,
make us love what you command; through your Son, Jesus Christ our
Lord.
Jeremiah 31:7-9
{7} For thus says the
LORD: Sing aloud with gladness for Jacob, and raise shouts for the
chief of the nations; proclaim, give praise, and say, "Save, O LORD,
your people, the remnant of Israel." {8} See, I am going to
bring them from the land of the north, and gather them from the
farthest parts of the earth, among them the blind and the lame, those
with child and those in labor, together; a great company, they shall
return here. {9} With weeping they shall come, and with
consolations I will lead them back, I will let them walk by brooks of
water, in a straight path in which they shall not stumble; for I have
become a father to Israel, and Ephraim is my firstborn.
7. Jacob…the chief of the nations…the
remnant of Israel: Israel (Jacob—the northern kingdom) is
addressed as both "the chief of the nations," and as "the remnant of
Israel." The "chief of the nations" is similar to an ironic phrase in
Amos 6:1. See Deuteronomy 7:7 for an assessment of the status of God
people among the peoples of the earth. The "remnant of Israel" is also
used in Isaiah 10:20, Jeremiah 6:9, and Ezekiel 11:13 as well as in 2
Chronicles 34:9 and Zephaniah 3:13. It specifies those who have
returned to Yahweh.
the land of the north: Assyria, where the northern exiles were
located. In 8-9: In words and images that resemble those of
Isaiah Jeremiah tells of the rescue and restoration of the northern
tribes.
I have become a father to Israel: "…it is appropriate that
‘father’ here is reminiscent of Deut 32:6b, in which Israel is
addressed: ‘Is he not your father, your creator?’ Israel is called
Yahweh’s ‘first-born’…in Exod 4:22, and Israel/Ephraim is called
Yahweh’s ‘son’ in Hos 11:1-3."
Ephraim is my firstborn: Ephraim, another name for Israel.
Ephraim was the second son of Joseph, the eleventh son of Jacob. There
is no literal sense in which Ephraim could be called "my firstborn."
[1]
The point is that no matter how unlikely and even
impossible it may seem, God is able to do whatever he decides. By his
declaration he can change the realities of history and bring about
consequences that have no possibility in human expectations.
Psalm 126
{1} When the LORD
restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream. {2}
Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with
shouts of joy; then it was said among the nations, "The LORD has done
great things for them." {3} The LORD has done great things for
us, and we rejoiced. {4} Restore our fortunes, O LORD, like the
watercourses in the Negeb. {5} May those who sow in tears reap
with shouts of joy. {6} Those who go out weeping, bearing the
seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, carrying their
sheaves.
1. the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion: A
reference to the restoration of the exiles, with the recollection of
all the times that Yahweh had intervened on behalf of the people of
Israel.
we were like those in a dream: There was no reason for hope,
except in the mercy of Yahweh. It was like a dream, and indeed it was,
a dream, but a dream of reality beyond reality, a dream grounded in
the actions of Yahweh.
2. The Lord has done great things for them: The nations
recognize that Israel’s good fortune is not what they expected as the
consequences of historical processes, but rather is the result of
Yahweh’s intervention on her behalf.
Hebrews 7:23-28
{23} Furthermore, the
former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by
death from continuing in office; {24} but he holds his
priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. {25}
Consequently he is able for all time to save those who approach God
through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.
{26} For it was fitting that we should have such a high priest,
holy, blameless, undefiled, separated from sinners, and exalted above
the heavens. {27} Unlike the other high priests, he has no need
to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then
for those of the people; this he did once for all when he offered
himself. {28} For the law appoints as high priests those who
are subject to weakness, but the word of the oath, which came later
than the law, appoints a Son who has been made perfect forever.
24. he holds his priesthood permanently: The
antecedent of the pronoun is "Jesus." Jesus was a high priest of "the
order of Melchizedek," an eternal, permanent priesthood shared by the
Judahite king (Psalm 110:4).
25. he always lives to make intercession for them:
"Hebrews…offers assurance, by referring to the eternal, transcendent
quality of Christ’s life, that the intercessory role traditionally
ascribed to him is indeed effective."
[2] See also Romans
8:34. The Holy Spirit also intercedes for us (Romans 8:27).
to make intercession: "Christ functions as an effective
intercessor because of his human experience, but also because he is
situated ‘at the right hand’ and is thus a part of God’s own sphere….
While first-century notions of heavenly intercession could encompass
expiatory activity, as well as more general assistance, the earlier
descriptions of Christ’s intercessory role in Hebrews indicate that
the provision of such assistance in times of trial is also, if not
primarily, in view." [3]
26. it was fitting: It is appropriate, not as a consequence of
human worth, but fitting for God who is powerful to act mercifully on
behalf of his people.
holy, blameless, undefiled, separated from sinners,… exalted above
the heavens: The high priest is described in moral terms that
remind us that Jesus is sinless, and has no need, himself, of
atonement, so he can offer himself as a perfect sacrifice for his
people.
28. the word of the oath, which came later than the law: A
reference to Hebrews 7:20-22, based on Psalm 110:4, which recalls the
king’s priestly office in Jerusalem. The Sinai covenant, the covenant
of law, was modified by the covenant with David, an everlasting
covenant, which specifically asserted that the continuation of the
covenant did not depend on obedience to the law (2 Samuel 7:8-16).
Jesus fulfills that office in a new and unexpected way.
Mark 10:46-52
{46} They came to
Jericho. As he and his disciples and a large crowd were leaving
Jericho, Bartimaeus son of Timaeus, a blind beggar, was sitting by the
roadside. {47} When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he
began to shout out and say, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!"
{48} Many sternly ordered him to be quiet, but he cried out even
more loudly, "Son of David, have mercy on me!" {49} 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." {50} So
throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus. {51}
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." {52} Jesus
said to him, "Go; your faith has made you well." Immediately he
regained his sight and followed him on the way.
46. Jericho: Mark followed by Matthew set the
story as Jesus was leaving Jericho; Luke sets it before they arrive in
Jericho.
Bartimaeus: In Aramaic "Bartimaeus" means "son of Timaeus." The
parallels in Matthew and Luke do not have the name, which suggests
that it may be a later addition.
47. Son of David: The blind man capitalizes on Jesus’ Davidic
descent and the expectation that a davidide will act benevolently.
have mercy on me: He asks for a boon. Later, when he is asked
specifically what he wants, he says, "let me see again."
51. My teacher: Rabbouni. The force of the address is
the respect due one of higher rank. Matthew and Luke have kurios,
"lord."
52. Go; your faith has made you well: Matthew has two blind men
in his account of the incident and cures their blindness with a touch,
while Luke includes a word of healing.
he regained his sight and followed him on the way: Having been
healed, Bartimaeus reciprocates by following Jesus, as a disciple.
"The juxtaposition of this story with the preceding
ones about the disciples’ grasping for precedence and honor over each
other is a clear attempt on the part of Mark to draw an association
between physical and [spiritual] conditions." [4]
Reflection
In Jesus the hopes and
expectations of God’s declarations and promises take on new and
unexpected content. God restored the fortunes of the exiles, but that
restoration turned out to be only a pointer to the greater fulfillment
in Jesus. The king’s sacral functions also pointed beyond the mystery
of David’s ministry at the altar to the incomprehensibly greater
ministry of Jesus, son of David, and David’s Lord. The blind beggar
was able to see again, which points to the spiritual healing that
enables us to "see" the reality that is hidden to physical eyes.
We are in the realm of mystery and power beyond our
comprehension here. Our prayer, that of blind beggars, "let me see
again" is answered by wonders beyond our expectation. We pray for the
gifts of "faith, hope, and charity," so we may love what Jesus
commands us to do, and receive the fulfillment of his promises.
Hymns [5]
With One Voice (e.g. 762v), Hymnal Supplement
1991 (e.g. 725s) and LBW (e.g. 32).
E=Entrance; D=Hymn of the Day; I=First Lesson, P=Psalm;
II=Second Lesson; G=Gospel
364 --E--Son of God,
538 --D--Oh, Praise the
764s --P--Taste and See
706v --P--Eat this Bread
|
352 --II--I Know that
426 --G--O Son of God,
431 --G--Your Hand, O
435, 815s, 823s/738v, 425
|
Prayers of the People [6]
We praise you, O God, for the gift
of Jesus, your Son and our great high priest forever. Open our eyes
that we might know him here and in every day of our lives. Restore to
us the great gift of faith and enable us to follow him. God who makes
whole hear our prayer.
Bless all who are involved in the care and nurture of
our pastors: our bishops, committees of theological education and
leadership, seminary staff and faculty, the board responsible for
pensions and benefits, and all congregations. God who makes whole hear
our prayer.
You call the Church into being through the uncertainty
of change. We thank and praise you for the readiness for change at the
time of Martin Luther. We thank you for his ministry of insight. We
thank you also for the signs of mutual understanding evident among the
saints today. We celebrate with sisters and brothers past and present
the signs of growing convergence. God who makes whole hear our prayer.
Or [7]
Presider or deacon
Let us cry out to God through our great high priest, Jesus the Son
of David.
Deacon or other leader
For N our bishop and N our presbyter, for this holy
gathering, and for the people of God in every place.
For mercy, justice, and peace among all peoples.
For good weather, abundant fruits of the earth, and peaceful times.
For our city and those who live in it, and for our families,
companions, and all those we love.
For all those in danger and need: the sick and the suffering, the
blind and the lame, those with child and those in labor.
For those who rest in Christ and for all the dead.
For our deliverance from all affliction, strife, and need.
Lifting our voices with all creation, let us offer ourselves and one
another to the living God through Christ.
To you, O Lord.
Presider
God of compassion, hear the prayers we offer this day, give sight
to your faithful people, and enable us to follow your Son, through
Jesus Christ our Lord.
Notes
[1] William L.
Holladay, Jeremiah 2: A Commentary on the Book of the Prophet
Jeremiah Chapters 26-52. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 1989, p.
185.
[2] Ibid.,
p. 211.
[3] Ibid.,
p. 211-212.
[4] Bruce Malina &
Richard L. Rohrbaugh, Social Science Commentary on the Synoptic
Gospels. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 1992, p. 247. The word
“social’ has been replaced by the word “spiritual” which is used in
the same paragraph in the commentary for Matthew 20:29-34 and Luke
18:35-43.
[5]
http://www.worship.on.ca/text/rclb9900.txt
[6]
http://www.worship.on.ca/text/pray_b2.txt
[7]
http://members.cox.net/oplater/prayer.htm |