Title: Speak Up!
Theme: Let your requests be known to God. Proper 25/(30) - 22nd Sunday after Pentecost, Yr. B
Object: A baby (You could have the child's mother hold it.) If a baby is not available, use a photo.
Scripture: "What do you want me to do for you?" Jesus asked him. The blind man said, "Rabbi, I want to see." Mark 10:51 (NIV)
What a beautiful baby. We've all been there, but it has been so long that I don't remember much about being a baby. Do you remember when you were a baby? One thing I know about babies is that they are not shy when it comes to letting you know when they want something. They will let you know when they are hungry, thirsty, sick, tired, or wet. Since a little baby doesn't know how to talk, how can he or she tell you all these things? Right! A baby lets you know these things by crying. The baby doesn't care if you are in church, at a movie, or eating dinner in a fine restaurant. If a baby wants or needs something, you are going to hear about it! As we get older, we learn to be more reserved about making our wants and wishes known. Or do we? Today we will hear the story about a man who was not at all bashful about letting Jesus know that he needed something.
Jesus and his disciples had spent some time in the city of Jericho. As they were leaving town, a blind man by the name of Bartimaeus was sitting beside the road. When he heard the people saying that Jesus was approaching, he began to cry out, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!"
His crying out disturbed the people around him. "Be quiet!" they yelled at him.
But he only shouted louder, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!"
When Jesus heard Bartimaeus crying out, he stopped and said, "Tell him to come to me."
So they called the blind man. "Cheer up," they said. "Come on, Jesus is calling you to come to him. Bartimaeus jumped up, threw aside his coat, and went to Jesus.
"What do you want me to do for you?" Jesus asked.
"I want to see," Bartimaeus answered.
"Go," Jesus said. "Your faith has healed you." Instantly Bartimaeus could see and he followed Jesus down the road.
Can you imagine a mother hearing her baby cry and just ignoring it? No way! A mother will do whatever she can to find out what her baby wants or needs and tend to that need. Can you imagine God knowing that we have a need and ignoring it? Not a chance! God loves his children and wants what is best for them. The Bible says, "Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done." (Philippians 4:6)
When you have a need in your life, don't be shy. Speak up! Remember what Jesus said. "I will do whatever you ask in my name." (John 14:13)
Heavenly Father, we know that you love your children and want what is best for them. Help us to remember that we need not worry about anything. All we need to do is to ask in Jesus' name. Amen.
| 
