Psalm 87, 90; Isa. 61:10-62:5; 2 Tim. 4:1-8; Mark 10:46-52
How many of us are longing for a new name and a changed future? Truly it is a wonderful thing to know that your destiny was changed in Jesus. We know that the new Jerusalem will fulfill all the words of the prophecy and yet we have a longing for this life as well. Do we long for this life to be different, to see the kingdom established and advanced? He has changed us and given us new hearts and new Spirits that should long for the coming of the kingdom, to see it established in us, and in that to see us reaching out and extending the kingdom into the world around us. As we seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness we will begin to turn outwards to the world so that we will begin to love the world the Lord has created and to love those whom He has created and to reach out to them in love for the sake and glory of Jesus.
As Jesus passes through Jericho with His disciples and a great crowd of pilgrims on their way to Jerusalem for the festival, a blind man hears that Jesus of Nazareth is coming and whatever he has heard about this man causes Him to cry out for mercy. He recognizes Jesus as the Son of David. What an irony that the blind man recognizes Jesus not as “of Nazareth” but as Son of David. Where others have mistakenly identified Jesus as to origin, this blind man makes a correct identification. His prayer is heard and he receives what he asks for, to recover his sight and the first thing he sees is Jesus and joins the band. Shortly he will regret having the gift of sight based on what he sees happening to Jesus.
Paul is passing on the torch to Timothy, his disciple. His final words of instruction are simple, preach the word. The work of an evangelist is important work and we are called to do it at all times and in all places by all means. St Francis was right, “Preach the Gospel at all times, if necessary, use words.” Even though most people self-identify as not having the gift of evangelism, we are all called to be evangelists. Our lives should tell a story that the world wants to hear and when someone asks we are to be prepared to give an accounting of the hope that lives in us. Let us resolve to be evangelists today by living in the Spirit and in hope.
Majesty worship His Majesty
Unto Jesus, be all glory,
Power and praise
Majesty, Kingdom authority
Flow from His throne,
Unto his own, His anthem raise.
So exalt, lift up on high
The Name of Jesus
Magnify, come glorify,
Christ Jesus the King
Majesty, worship His Majesty
Jesus who died, now glorified,
King of all Kings.
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