Saturday Yr B Sunday bet Jul 17-23
I Chronicles 15:1-2, 16:4-13; Luke 18:35-43; Psalm 89:20-35
Luke 18:35-43
A Blind Beggar Receives His Sight
35As Jesus approached Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging. 36When he heard the crowd going by, he asked what was happening. 37They told him, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.”
38He called out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”
39Those who led the way rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”
40Jesus stopped and ordered the man to be brought to him. When he came near, Jesus asked him, 41“What do you want me to do for you?”
“Lord, I want to see,” he replied.
42Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight; your faith has healed you.” 43Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus, praising God. When all the people saw it, they also praised God.
Persistence Pays Off
“Nancy, are you going to enter the school science fair?” Alex passed her a science fair entrance form.
“No. I don’t have a chance.” Nancy caressed the form in her hands before passing it back.
Alex pushed it back at her. “You are much smarter than you give yourself credit for and with a little help from your friends, you should be fine.”
Nancy read the entrance requirements. “We only have a month to prepare. I’m not sure I can think of something and put it together in that time.”
“We could ask Mrs. Jenkins. She said she would be available to answer questions.” Alex began filling in her form.
“Maybe we could combine our projects.” Nancy read off the rules and regulations. “It says, ‘Groups of students may submit a project collectively, upon receiving authorization of their science teacher.’”
“Do you have something in mind?” Alex asked.
“Well, I was thinking about developing a bio-fuel that can lift a rocket.” Nancy suggested.
“Wow, that sounds like a big project. Did you want to ask anyone else?”
“What if we checked if Steve wants to work with us?” Nancy reached for the telephone and dialed a number. “Steve? Hi, This is Nancy James, Alex is here and we were talking about forming a science group for the science fair.”
The conversation seemed one sided. Alex couldn’t hear what Steve said, but she could tell from Nancy’s words that it wasn’t met with a positive answer.
“Well, Steve, please think about it.” Nancy replaced the telephone in its cradle. “Drat, Steve has a knack for science. I saw his project in 4th grade. Most kids would have been proud of it for this science fair.”
“Let me talk with him too. Maybe if we both ask, we can persuade him.” Alex volunteered.
The next day in school both girls caught up with Steve at lunch break and began babbling about their plans for the science fair. Pleading with him to join them, they didn’t give up until they had a tentative agreement that he would meet with them to talk about their project after school. Steve’s buddies told the girls not to bother him.
Alex and Nancy headed home and found Alex’s mom making a snack. They told of their disappointment about the science fair project and Steve not being able to be with them. Alex’s mom told them the story of a man in Jesus’ time, who was not deterred by the disciples telling him not to bother Jesus, but called out repeatedly until Jesus healed him.
“We can learn from that man’s example that we shouldn’t give up when some people don’t respond immediately. The man’s faith was strong. And he knew exactly what he wanted done. When Jesus asked, ‘What do you want me to do?’ he was ready with an answer, ‘I want to see.’ Perhaps, you both should be clear as to what you want Steve to do. Maybe he’s not excited because he sees you dumping the project all on him and he wants to know that you are a part of it too. Remember, the blind man showed his persistence and he was active in the process.”
Alex and Nancy raced to their books after snack and wrote down a plan for their project, then armed with their work, they headed to Steve’s house and presented it to them. His eyes changed from glazed over to alert and focused. By the time they were finished, Steve was making suggestions and taking part in the plan. Indeed, they made a pact to work together for the next month in order to enter in time.
Alex added, “All we need now, is Mrs. Jenkins authorization.”
Steve chimed in, “That shouldn’t be hard. I’ll get it.” Confidence brimming in his voice.
Daily Prayer: Gracious God, healer of all hurts and giver of every good and perfect gift, we thank you for your love to us. Forgive us for our failure to believe in you. Help us to trust you and believe that you can make a difference for us when we trust you. In Jesus name, Amen.
Memorize: 38He called out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”
