Jeremiah 31: 7-9: The Old Testament reading is part of “The Book of Consolation” that is found in chapters 30-33 of Jeremiah.  Much of the book of Jeremiah presents a message of doom and gloom, but these three chapters present a message of hope.  God, who is faithful, will restore Israel after years of defeat.  God, in God’s hesed [steadfast love], will lead the people home.  It bears noting that the blind and the lame, who are excluded from presenting offerings at the altar in the Book of Leviticus, are the first group Jeremiah lists as among those who will return to Israel through God’s saving act.

Hebrews 7: 23-28: The author of Hebrews declares the superiority of Jesus’ priesthood over the priesthood of Israel.  This week’s reading presents two distinct differences between these priesthoods.  First, Jesus’ priesthood is permanent, where the human priest’s tenure is ended in death.  Second, unlike human priests who are subject to sin and weakness, Jesus is without sin and does not need to make continuous sacrifices for himself and for the sins of the people.  These two aspects of Jesus’ priesthood make it possible for Him to serve as intercessor for those who would approach God through Him.

Mark 10: 46-52:  The healing of Bartimaeus stands in contrast to the story of the rich man that we found earlier in Mark’s Gospel.  Bartimaeus recognized who Jesus was and called out for mercy.  Jesus healed him and Bartimaeus threw off his cloak [possibly his only possession], jumped up and joyfully followed Jesus.  The rich man could not part with his possessions and left grieving.

Bartimaeus chose to follow Jesus and his story is rich with symbols and images of what that choice involves.  Note that Bartimaeus placed himself beside the road where he could receive help.  Further, Bartimaeus, who was physically blind, saw with the eyes of faith and recognized who Jesus was.  The disciples who had no physical obstacles to their sight still remain in the dark and fail to see the savior Jesus truly is.  Finally, Bartimaeus throws off his only possession, his cloak, and follows Jesus.  While it may not seem like much, the cloak was Bartimaeus’ means of support.  He would spread it in front of him for people to toss money on when he was begging.  In tossing the cloak away Bartimaeus was trusting completely in God and God’s steadfast, faithful love.  May we all have faith like that of Bartimaeus.

God’s peace,

Bill+