A Merciful Messiah – Through Lent we are considering what we can do to “act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly,” and our focus is now on mercy.  The scripture today is the encounter of Jesus with blind Bartimaeus who knows Jesus is approaching and calls out to him.  Some around the scene react to restrain the blind beggar, but Jesus asks him what he wants Jesus to do.  We can put ourselves into the story as the beggar, the crowd, the disciples, or Jesus, but the actions of Jesus teach what we are to do and reflect the words of Micah to love mercy.  Jesus is heading to Jerusalem with an agenda, much as we frequently have an agenda when we’re in transit, but it doesn’t prevent Jesus from asking what Bartimaeus needs.  Further, Jesus does not assume what Bartimaeus needs, but asks and supplies.  Bartimaeus ends up with the ability to see, and as a result he becomes a disciple.  Jesus did not deliver that mercy expecting anything in return, but delivered precisely what the beggar needed.  It is a model for us to show mercy.   (NOTE: Reflecting the importance of the Word, the video begins with the scripture, but once it starts you can scroll back to the beginning of the service if you want.  The entire service is videoed.)