The Highwaymen - Highwayman

Classic....

The Waterboys-Live In Concert - Fisherman's Blues.HQ

Great Song by the Waterboys....

The widow's mite.

Remember when you went out to dinner for the first time? Or sat at the table with the soup spoon, dessert spoon, dessert fork, starter knife and fork, and the main course knife and fork, the different glasses etc, and look and wonder where to begin? And you’d look to someone else for help, and they’d say something like “Start from the outside and work in.” Having done weddings, I see the etiquette come into play, the suits, the dresses, the hats, and the speeches. I see the nerves of the best man as the moment approaches when he has to call the guests to order to begin the formalities.  We all look to others for guidance when we are somewhere for the first time.

Jesus and the disciples were in Jerusalem and were in the Temple precincts and being from the countryside the disciples were nervous and shy about what to do, and how to conduct themselves there. They sat down opposite the temple treasury and were people watching. Maybe they were hoping to get some indication about how to walk, or bow, or pray in the Temple.  In the precincts of this great House of God built by King David, every step was a prayer and even every breath.

Jesus saw the deference that was being paid to the scribes “who like to walk about in long robes, to be greeted obsequiously in the market squares, to take the front seats in synagogues and the places of honour at banquets...” He was warning the disciples not to become like them.  Beware.

The treasury was a bit like an upside-down trumpet. And it made a noise when money was put into it. These were the days before paper-money and credit cards so the more money that went in, the bigger the boom it made, and the more attention it attracted. And those in charge would smile approvingly when someone would make a large donation. And so would everyone within earshot. What a great feeling to have the adulation of many within the Temple courtyard and indeed those in authority. 

Jesus noticed that a poor widow woman had come along and had made her small donation to the treasury. It barely made a sound as she put it in. No eyebrows were raised here, this woman was invisible. Those in the city were too busy tipping a cap or turning and bowing to some priest with a prayer shawl, for the city was full of holy people. The poor widow just made her offering, and scurried on by. But Jesus saw what she did and he drew the attention of his disciples to her offering. “I tell you solemnly, this poor widow has put more in than all who have contributed to the treasury.”She may have given small money but she gave such great love. No one saw her and what she did, no one noticed. She was used to that. But Jesus Christ saw her heart and told his disciples that this is contribution that God the Father wants.

Each of us are called to place an offering into the treasury and like the person who goes away into their private space and prays to their father in secret, God sees all that is done in secret and will reward those who give from their open and generous hearts.

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"Go, your faith has saved you."

They reached Jericho; and as he left Jericho with his disciples and a great crowd, Bartimaeus -- that is, the son of Timaeus -- a blind beggar, was sitting at the side of the road.

47 When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout and cry out, 'Son of David, Jesus, have pity on me.'

48 And many of them scolded him and told him to keep quiet, but he only shouted all the louder, 'Son of David, have pity on me.'

49 Jesus stopped and said, 'Call him here.' So they called the blind man over. 'Courage,' they said, 'get up; he is calling you.'

50 So throwing off his cloak, he jumped up and went to Jesus.

51 Then Jesus spoke, 'What do you want me to do for you?' The blind man said to him, 'Rabbuni, let me see again.'

52 Jesus said to him, 'Go; your faith has saved you.' And at once his sight returned and he followed him along the road. This is a wonderful account from Mark's gospel of the cry of Bartimaeus for healing. Picture the scene; Jesus is on his way from Jericho with his disciples and a large crowd who are following him. He is renowned for his powerful deeds, his words of life that lift people up, and his willingness to forgive sinners. So it stands to reason that people are curious about him and it is natural that those in need will ask him for healing. Bartimaeus (son of Timaeus) a blind beggar is further up the road and he asks what all the excitement and noise is about. He relys on the goodness of people for his survival and because he is blind people give him small money and food out of their charity. He is a pitiful case and someone must have sinned in his background for him to be blind. This was the thinking at the time. Crowds are pressing around Jesus as he makes his way along the road. Many people follow along hoping to see  miracle or hear something that will set them on fire. Bartimaeus has heard about Jesus before. He may have no sight but he is all ears and he would have paid attention to the news about Jesus. He heard with the eyes of faith. So with all his might he caused a fuss; he began to shout; "Son of David, Jesus, have pity on me." And the more he was told to quieten down, the more he shouted. He KNEW Jesus could heal him.  Jesus stopped and said "Call him here." Imagine the picure; He gets up and throws off his cloak and goes over to Jesus. His cloak represents the old Bartimaeus, he won't need this anymore. Jesus asks him a powerful question; "What do you want me to do for you?" This question may also be for the benefit of the many standing around. "Rabbuni - Master, let me see again." And seeing here means more than a restoration of physical sight. Maybe I with my 20/20 vision have missed things? Or turned my face away from Jesus in his moments of need? Straight away, Jesus says "Go, your faith has saved you." It was through other eyes his blindness was healed; his eyes may have been injured, sore and unable to see, but his heart and his faith was strong. And this once poor blind beggar also witnessed to the power of God in Jesus Christ. And what also can a witness do then? After his sight returned "...he followed him along the road." He became a disciple, a witness for you and me to help with whatever blinds us from the clearer picture of Christ in the world and in those most in need.

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