Luther Seminary

A daily devotion brought to you by the alumni of Luther Seminary

Friday, October 24, 2003

Mark 10:46-52 (NRSV)

Read Mark 10:46-52 on biblegateway.com

Verse 46They 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. Verse 47When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout out and say, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" Verse 48Many sternly ordered him to be quiet, but he cried out even more loudly, "Son of David, have mercy on me!" Verse 49Jesus stood still and said, "Call him here." And they called the blind man, saying to him, "Take heart; get up, he is calling you." Verse 50So throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus. Verse 51Then 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." Verse 52Jesus said to him, "Go; your faith has made you well." Immediately he regained his sight and followed him on the way.

Devotion

Jesus' miracles were a part of a new tradition, a tradition of signs. They are "signs of the Kingdom," mighty works that show God's power coming to us in Jesus Christ. They point to Jesus as God incarnate come to save us and offer eternal life. We are often wistful about miracles such as that of Bartimaeus, wishing that they would happen today.

Referring to this series of miracles in the Gospel of Mark, Martin Luther said, "This is a mere trifle compared to what God does every day ... babies are born and hear and see and learn to speak." In most of us the miracles of Christ have already been completed at our birth. We are each miracles of God created in God's image in unique and wonderful ways. Praise and thanksgiving should flow from the gifts that God has given us, as we use those gifts to God's glory.

Prayer

God of life, we thank and praise you for our very being and for all the blessings you share with us. Help us to strive to live a 1ife worthy of your trust. Thank you for the greatest miracle of all: the life, death and resurrection of your son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Charlie Axness First Lutheran Church, Mandan, N.D.

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