A Cry for Mercy

Jeremiah 31:7-9; Hebrews 5:1-6; Mark 10:46-52

Today is the last Sunday in October! Somehow, it seems that the time has just flown. It seems like summer only just got started. But now we are in the middle of Fall. And with the leaves upon the ground we are reminded of the cycle of life. For all of creation there seems to be a season of renewal, a season of building, a season of decline, and a season of rest. The cycle goes on and keeps repeating itself, over and over again. And we see this cycle not only in the trees and nature, not only in our own lives, but also in the life of the people of God.

In the history of God's people there has always been a season where God called God's people anew. There have always been the Abraham events, where the promise of a great nation has been given. And this has always seemed to lead to the Isaac and Jacob events wherein God's people have grown. And this has always led to the Egypt event where God's people have been tested, suffered and declined. But, miraculously, this has always led to a Passover event wherein the People of God have entered into a season of rest, leading into a season of renewal, once again.

You can go through the Bible and see this cycle repeated over and over again. And, you can look at the history of the church and see this cycle played out among God's people unto this very day. And, often, we might ask ourselves just where we are in this cycle of renewal, growth, decline, and rest.

Jeremiah was certainly aware of this cycle. Over time, Israel had declined and was beginning a period of rest. Like fallen leaves on a windy autumn day, Israel's people would be dispersed throughout the world by the breath of God. But with them would go the promise of renewal. Jeremiah's words, from our Old Testament lesson for today stood as a promise to God's people: "I will bring them from the land of the north and gather them from the ends of the earth. Among them will be the blind and the lame, expectant mothers and women in labor; a great throng will return. They will come with weeping; they will pray as I bring them back. I will lead them beside streams of water on a level path where they will not stumble."

For some time, now, the people of God known as United Methodists have been in a season of decline, even in a season of rest. It is true that over the years since the mid-sixties our denomination has lost over a million members. But, in spite of this, God's promise is faithful. The winds of God's Spirit are blowing. And there are ever-increasing signs that the season for renewal is upon us. For the first time in many years a good number of churches in the Detroit Annual Conference are beginning to report an actual increase in membership. Average attendance at worship services is beginning to climb, once again. For the church is reaching out to the unexpected places of the earth -- to the lame and to the blind, to women and little children. And there is the vision of a great throng on the horizon, returning as God's people to the Promised Land.

As God's people there is something that we are once again learning: That God is the author of life; and that it is only through Jesus Christ that we can hope for eternal life. In today's lesson from Hebrews we are reminded that Jesus is our great high priest who alone has the power to save.

For many years now, many of God's people have been caught up in lifestyles which have enslaved them. Some have sought their salvation in the gathering of material possessions. Some have sought their salvation by surrounding themselves with technology. Some have sought their salvation by pursuing every fad and novelty that has come along. Others have sought their salvation by simply joining a church, or a club, or a service organization. But the book of Hebrews tells us that salvation is through Jesus Christ, the perfect priest, the perfect mediator between ourselves and the author of salvation, the creator of heaven and earth.

There is the old story of how three wealthy young men decided to go to New York City to find the best that this life has to offer. Willing to try anything, they were now on their way to New York City to "paint the town red." With a whole week ahead of them, they were anticipating some high times. They had money, position and culture. The only thing they wanted was action and they were now ready to get it.

As their train glided to a stop at Grand Central Station, the three, full of excitement and frivolity, stepped off into a busy world. Amidst the confusion the three jovial young men were able to hail a taxi and direct the driver to the Ambassador Hotel where they had planned to spend the week. The cabby promptly took them to their destination. As the cab drove off, the three men just stood on the pavement staring up the side of their tall building. Not having visited New York City before, they were amazed at the sight of such a tall structure.

Upon entering the hotel, they were greeted by a bellhop who took their bags and led them to the main desk. At the desk the clerk asked them what type of room they wanted and the tree men replied, "Give us the best you have!" The clerk looked at the register and then told the men that the only room left of that type was on the 29th floor. It had a sauna, four kingsized beds, a kitchen with a refrigerator full of food, overstuffed furniture. The men looked at each other and quickly decided to take it. The key was then handed over and the bellhop led them to the elevator.

Arriving to their room the three young men arranged their belongings in the proper order, and put on their best clothes and returned to the lobby. Leaving their key at the desk, they were off to see New York City's high spots. Hours went by and the three began to get weary, so they headed back to the hotel. At the lobby desk they were told that the elevator had developed some complications and was not able to take them upstairs. They were given the alternative of either walking up twenty-nine flights of steps or sleeping in a small, less luxurious room on the second floor. The three huddled together and decided to take the long walk upstairs and enjoy the comforts of their own room. So, up they started.

The first few flights went quickly and easily and the three companions were joking and having a good time. Each flight seemed a little bit longer, but the men kept pressing on. Five, six, seven floors were passed and each one meant that they were one flight closer to the top. The men, already weary from a hard night, began to slow down and the floors dragged by slower each time. The eleventh, twelfth, thirteenth floor was passed. "Almost halfway there," said one of them. The others just grunted and pushed on. Seventeen, eighteen .... they wondered if they would ever reach their floor. On the 20th floor one of them sat down and said he couldn't go on. After resting a few moments the others finally persuaded him to try it .... after all only nine floors left and then those nice, soft mattresses, and all that good food in the refrigerator. So, on they went!

Each flight seemed like a mile and it seemed as if it took an eternity to get there. All three men were now on their knees, crawling step by step in hopes of reaching the twenty-ninth floor. Just one more to go. Slowly they proceeded, inch by inch, until one of them shouted out that he could see the room, only eight more steps and then about fifteen feet down the hall. With this added inspiration each young man put all the energy into it that he had and to their relief they were all on the last floor. They had reached their goal now. As soon as the door to the room was opened, they would be able to enjoy all the luxuries which had spurred them on during their climb.

The first one to get to the door reached down into his pocket for the key. To his amazement the key wasn't there. Each of them checked their pockets, but none of them had it. Here they were on the 29th floor, just inches from what they considered "Heaven" and yet they could not get in. They had left the key in the lobby.

For us the key to eternal life is Jesus. But, amazingly, there are many, who in their pursuit of salvation, in their climb to heaven, have left the key in the lobby. Certainly, we need to ask ourselves if we have the key with us as we make that climb.

In our gospel lesson for today, we come upon a blind man by the name of Bartimaeus. For him salvation meant being able to see. And, so, as Jesus went by he cried out, "Jesus, son of David, have mercy on me!" For blind Bartimaeus, the key to his salvation was Jesus Christ. And, upon receiving his sight, he followed Jesus along the road.

God calls us to be renewed, to be reborn, remade, re-kindled in spirit, refurbished in heart and soul. But the key is Jesus who hears our cry for mercy. Pray that we have not left the key in the lobby when we make it to the door. Amen.