Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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Cross-New Model to Discipleship
Mark 10:45-52
Vs. 52 “Immediately he regained his sight and followed [Jesus] on the way.” 
In his book Cost of Discipleship, Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote “When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die.” After Jesus healed Bartimaeus, Jesus tells him to “Go!” Go with new sights, vision, goal and way of living. “Immediately he regained his sight and followed [Jesus] on the way” (10:50). This is the last healing ministry before Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem where the chain of events will end up at the cross. In the gospel of St. Mark when Jesus tells the person to come and/ or follow him it’s almost always referring to the cross. Regarding true disciples, Jesus said in Mark 8:34, “Let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” After he regained his sight, Bartimaeus throws off his cloak which is perhaps the only property he has and followed him. A famous British born American neurologist, the late Oliver Wolf Sacks, has referred to Jesus’ healing of Bartimaeus in this way, “if it really happened this way, then this once-blind man was the recipient of a double-miracle: not only had Jesus fixed his optic hardware but Jesus must have installed also the necessary mental software that allowed the man to make sense of the information coming through his eyes.” Yes, for once-blind Bartimaeus, now he may misjudge steps and bump into walls all because his eyes have not yet acquired the knack for interpreting visual data. However, what keeps him grounded in his new world with learning and re-learning is his faith in Jesus, Son of David, who can show mercy on him. When we receive new sight from Jesus that must lead us to the way of the cross. Way of the cross is very difficult and require complete faith in Jesus Christ. May this Lent season give us new insights for discipleship.
 PRAYER
Lord when You give us new insights help us to follow You in the way of the cross. Amen.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
“Amazing grace! How sweet the sound. That saved a wretch like me! I once was lost, but now am found; Was blind, but now I see. Amazing grace!

Rev. Biju P. Simon, Austin  MTC
Christian Education Forum, Diocese of NAE of the Mar Thoma Church

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