Revelation 21:1-6
The New Heaven and the New Earth
 
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Revelation%2021%3A1-6&version=NRSVUE
 
In my own practice of lectio divina and listening for God through scripture, I have noticed a pattern or a continuation in God’s voice through each week’s readings the past few weeks. Last week, I explored how the biblical characters in Mark 10 all shared a blindness that kept them from seeing or understanding the way of Jesus. For the celebration of All Saints Sunday, our lection moves to a passage in Revelation that promises a new heaven and a new earth, and proclaims God is “making all things new” (v.5). I see a continuation of the emphasis of seeing, and therefore, understanding the work of God.
 
In last week’s reading, we explored Bartimaeus’ request to see: “Let me see again,” or “I want to see.” In this week’s reading, the writer of Revelation, who most scholars think was the apostle John, reports that he “saw” a new heaven and a new earth, and he “saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem” (v.2). He also “heard a loud voice from the throne,” in which we infer was Jesus, saying, “See, the home of God is among humans,” and “See, I am making all things new” (v.3,5). John saw it, and Jesus pointed out that John could see it. If we can see it, perhaps we can better understand it.
 
What Jesus wanted John to see was the “home of God” (v.3). During a time when the holy city was being destroyed, when death, pain and grief consumed them, “the voice” promised that this was not the end and that God dwelled with them. God is present with them during their pain and suffering, and God brings newness through death.
 
So, what does the “home of God” look like? If Jesus wanted John to see it, what does it look like? What did he see? John described it in verse 2 as “a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.” The love that can be seen between two people on their wedding day will look like the love between God and God’s people. God’s home will be filled with love and care as God wipes away tears and puts an end to death. A home with God is a place without pain or mourning. It is a place of assurance where we can put our trust in the God of love. The voice said, “these words are trustworthy and true,” so we have the assurance that a home with God looks like this.
 
What does a home of God look like to you? Can you see it? Take time reflecting on what a home of God looks like to you. Perhaps it isn’t best described as “a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.” Perhaps it looks like a sanctuary from all the pain in the world. Perhaps it is a place free from empire, politics, and hate speech. Perhaps it is a place where we can be our authentic selves without the repercussions of someone’s fear. Perhaps it is a place where no one is unhoused, poor, hungry, sick, or mourning. It is a literal house of love where everyone belongs and everyone is connected to and filled with God’s loving presence.  
 
In a time when we aren’t quite sure who we can trust, and people in power lie to protect their places in power, these words are something we can trust. A home of God is the only thing we can trust 100%. A home of God is coming, but it is also already here. God has already made a home with us, if we allow ourselves to see it. If we open our hearts to God’s loving presence, a home of God resides within us. Can you see it?
 
Reflection Questions:
What do you imagine the home of God looks like? Can you see it?
Can you trust these words in scripture?
How can a home of God reside within you?

Pray:
Open my eyes, O God, to see you among us and within us.

Action:
Do one action this week that represents the home of God.   
 
*New Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition. Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America.

Mark 10:46-52
The healing of blind Bartimaeus
 
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark%2010%3A46-52&version=NRSVA
 
In last week’s reading, James and John asked Jesus for a special favor. Jesus responded, “What is it you want me to do for you?” (v.36). In today’s reading, Jesus asked Bartimaeus a similar question when he cried out for mercy. Bartimaeus is blind, sitting by the road, when he heard Jesus walking by. “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” he shouted (v.48). Even when many try to quieten him, he shouted louder because he believed Jesus could make him well.
 
Despite being in a crowd, Jesus heard the blind man’s call, and said, “Call him here” (v.40). When he was brought to Jesus, he asked Bartimaeus, “What do you want me to do for you?” (v.51). It may seem obvious to the reader that since he is blind, he would want to be healed. He indeed answered Jesus by saying, “Let me see again” (v.51). Several other translations say his response was “I want to see.”
 
The word “again” indicates that he had his sight before, but we don’t know Bartimaeus’ story or even who he was other than “son of Timaeus” (v.46). “Bar” means “son of,” so Bartimaeus literally means “son of Timaeus.” So, who was Timaeus? There is no other mention of Timaeus or Bartimaeus in the bible, but the footnote in The Harper Collins Study Bible, suggests that “the name Timaeus may have reminded some members of Mark’s audience of Plato’s praise of sight in his dialogue of that name” (p. 1745). Plato’s Timaeus explained the human eye is what connects the soul with the external world, and that it is through seeing that humans understand the world.
 
Bartimaeus was a biblical character who perhaps did not understand the world. His blindness disconnected him, but he wanted to see again and believed Jesus was the one who could recover his sight. The gospel writer of Mark probably wanted to expand on Plato’s ideas that when our sight fails and we feel disconnected from the world, Jesus is the one who can reconnect us.
 
Placed along with the other stories in Mark 10, this request to “see” seems important to highlight. All the biblical characters in this chapter had some form of blindness that kept them from understanding Jesus’ way of life. The rich man was focused too much on his material possessions, James and John were blinded by ambition, and Bartimaeus’ physical ailment made it difficult to follow Jesus. Perhaps the gospel writer wanted to point out that everyone has a blindness that can disconnect us from Jesus’ way.
 
Yet, Bartimaeus shows us that faith in Jesus can make us well. And, once Jesus spoke the words, “Go; your faith has made you well,” he “immediately … regained his sight and followed [Jesus] on the way” (v.52). Bartimaeus’ faith was what healed him, according to Jesus. Perhaps the gospel writer wanted to illustrate that faith in Jesus has the power to make us well. No matter what blinds us – our material wealth, our ambition, or physical ailments – our faith can make us well. Our blindness may make us feel disconnected and lost, but our faith can reconnect us and send us along Jesus’ way of compassion and love.
 
Reflection Questions:
If Jesus asked you, “What do you want me to do for you?” How would you respond? What do you want Jesus to do for you?
What is your blindness? What gets in the way of following Jesus?
Do you want to see?
Do you think faith can make you well?

Pray:
Pray for a faith that can make you well.

Action:
Remove something in your life that prevents you from seeing.  
 
*New Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition. Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. 

Mark 10:35-45
The request of James and John
 
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark%2010%3A35-45&version=NRSVUE
 
James and John ask Jesus for places of power. Well, verse 35 shows that they didn’t really ask, they told Jesus what they wanted: “We want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” It almost seems as though sitting in these places of honor and power would not be the only thing they will ask of Jesus. They left it open-ended with “whatever.” “Whatever we ask of you” seems endless with a long string of self-serving desires.
 
Jesus responds: “What is it you want me to do for you?” (v.36). I read this with a certain tone from Jesus. Perhaps he picked up on their non-asking request and open-ended word choice. Perhaps he wanted to see into their hearts what it is that they truly want. We don’t really know Jesus’ tone. He could have asked this question as a loving teacher or parent who wants to nurture their mutual relationship. Either way, James and John continue with their request: “Appoint us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory” (v.37). What is it that James and John want Jesus to do for them? It seems they want to rise to places of power that put them equal to Jesus. Ambition seems to have taken a hold in their hearts.
 
Jesus’ initial response was: “You do not know what you are asking” (v.38). Isn’t that the truth? When we “ask” Jesus or demand Jesus to answer our prayers, we often don’t know what we are asking. We only know what our heart’s desire is pleading in the moment. We only know what perhaps our family expects from us or what our social structure or culture has implanted into our thinking as what we’re supposed to be doing.
 
The gospel of Matthew tells this story a little differently. It was James and John’s mother, Salame, who asks Jesus for a favor, that he “declare” ther sons sit on either side of Jesus in his kingdom” (Matt. 20:21). She also didn’t ask, but forms the request in a statement. I’m not sure which one is worse, demanding to be placed in seats of power or having your mother ask on your behalf. It certainly suggests that there is possibly a family expectation placed on them to be ambitious or it’s a product of their placement in their hierarchical social structure to want to rise from their lower position as fishermen. 
 
Jesus tries to answer in both stories by asking if they are able to “drink the cup” that he will drink, and in both stories, they say, “We are able” (v.22). We always think we are able to do whatever it takes until we are in the moment, and then realize that we didn’t really understand what would be required of us. We usually answer, “Yes, we are able,” just to get what we want, without fully understanding what we are agreeing to.
 
This story shows that people don’t really understand Jesus’ kingdom and what it takes to be a part of it nor how to bring it here on earth. Even his disciples and their families didn’t understand it. Even his disciples had to wrestle with their own familial and societal expectations placed upon them. One way to read these requests would be to see how close Jesus and the disciples were in order for James and John to make such a request. It wasn’t as if they were asking a ruler for these places. They were asking their beloved teacher. And, perhaps they asked because they wanted to be near him and to show their support. They would follow him until the end when they are in glory with him.
 
But, I think Jesus asked the follow-up question -- “What is it you want me to do for you?” (v.36) -- to get to the source of their questioning to show them that they are really asking the wrong question. Jesus doesn’t appoint us to sit period. Following Jesus is not about seeking personal gain and rising to sit comfortably in places of honor or power. If we do find ourselves in those places in the world’s hierarchical structures, we are to have a heart for service to use this place to serve others, not ourselves.
 
Jesus’ kingdom is not a self-serving kingdom. We are not ambitious ladder-climbers. We are not appointed to sit in complacency or to sit in places of power to rule over people. Jesus “came not to be served but to serve and to give his life a ransom for many” (v.45). We should do the same. We live our lives not focusing on selfish ambition, but seeking to serve and deliver people from what enslaves them. Jesus’ kingdom resides in our hearts when we think of others first before ourselves.
 
Reflection Questions:
Have you ever asked Jesus for something that you didn’t really know what you were asking at the time?
Have you ever demanded something from Jesus or asked Jesus for a favor?
Has Jesus ever called you to a place of power just so you could be comfortable, adored, and to rule over people? What has Jesus called you to? What is Jesus calling you to now?

Pray:
Show me, Jesus, the people you are calling me to serve.

Action:
Do at least one act of service this week.
 
*New Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition. Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America.

Mark 10:17-31
The Rich Man 
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark%2010%3A17-31&version=NRSVUE
 
“You lack one thing.” Imagine Jesus speaking directly to you, and that is what he says. How would you respond? I think I would be taken aback at first because we don’t like to hear what we lack, especially from Jesus, but then, I’d probably ask, “Only one thing? I only lack one thing? Wow, I’m crushing it!”
 
This scripture includes a very important detail about Jesus’ words. He said them lovingly. Jesus looked intently at the man to answer his question thoughtfully, and verse 21 tells us that he genuinely loved the man. Jesus’ intent was not to condemn him or shame him for being wealthy, but to truthfully answer his question in a loving way. I think it’s hard for us to tell those we love truthful answers like this because we don’t want to hurt them. Jesus models for us that loving someone requires us to speak hard truths in loving ways.
 
Even so, the rich man was not open to Jesus’ words. For someone who had many possessions, he was not open to hearing what he lacked or what he had to do to receive what he lacked. He went away shocked and grieving perhaps because he finally experienced what it felt like to be in need. We don’t know if he followed Jesus’ instructions. This verse makes us believe he didn’t since he went away, but perhaps he needed time to process and actually do what Jesus told him to do. In fact, there were specific things that Jesus told him to do to inherit eternal life, and it would take time to do them.
 
If he was to go and sell what he owned, it would take time to do that, especially since he had many possessions. Notice Jesus didn’t tell him to give away his possessions. He instructed the man to sell them, and then give the money to the poor. Jesus saw how valuable money can be to serve those in need.
 
Since the rich man had a lot of earthly treasures, what was that the “one thing” that he lacked? Jesus’ instructions actually involved many parts, so what was the “one thing?” Verse 21 said, “…(1) go, (2) sell what you own, and (3) give the money to the poor, … (4) then come, follow me.” Go, sell, give, come, follow, which are many actions that seem like more than one thing. Are they all part of the “one thing?”
 
Is it eternal life? That’s what the man seems to think he lacks. Is it “treasure in heaven?” That’s the phrase Jesus used if he would “go, sell, and give.” Does he lack a generous heart? Does he lack empathy for the plight of the poor? Does he lack a desire for sacrifice since he probably inherited his wealth?
 
The rich man didn’t lack faith. He confessed to following the commandments, and he knows who Jesus is since he is there asking him face-to-face how to inherit eternal life. Perhaps he realized that following some of the commandments was not enough to receive eternal life. Perhaps he realized that there was something more “to do” since he probably didn’t do much to receive his inheritance so far. An inheritance is something one receives without work or sacrifice. The man had certainly come to a point in his life when he realized that he did lack something despite all of his earthly possessions. So, what was it?
 
Was it Jesus? Was it being willing to give up his earthly treasures to receive spiritual treasure? The desire to give sacrificially? Was it shifting his focus from himself to others and Jesus, or shifting his focus from material wealth to spiritual wealth? Certainly all of these could be wrapped up in the one thing he lacked.
 
What do you think the man was lacking? Spend some time reflecting on this scripture, and determine for yourself what the rich man lacked. Remember, when we find ourselves in a time of need, a time when we lack one thing, or many things, or many parts of one thing, Jesus looks at us lovingly and tells us what we can do to receive what we lack. Go to Jesus, and ask him what you must do to receive it.  
 
Reflection Questions:
What do you think the man was lacking? What are you lacking?
When Jesus looks at you lovingly, what would he say you lack? Would you be open to hearing what you lack?
What would he tell you to do to receive it?
 
Pray:
Help me, Jesus, to be open to your loving words.
 
Action:
Give to the poor or someone in need this week as an act to follow Jesus.
 
*New Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition. Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. 

1 Corinthians 10:16-17
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Corinthians%2010%3A16-17&version=NRSVUE
 
In my early twenties, I moved out-of-state and away from my family. When I went back to visit over the holidays, it became very difficult for me. I had three separate sets of family to visit: my mother’s family, my father’s family, and my stepmother’s family. After my mother died, my father remarried, which created three separate families. As a young adult in the workforce, my vacation time was limited, and my time with my family left me more exhausted than before my vacation. Instead of having a time of refreshment and rest over my vacation time, I spent the time driving to three separate family gatherings.
 
One year, I decided to limit my time at home, so I could actually have some rest time after the holiday gatherings before I returned to work. I jampacked all three into just a few days as well as make time to see my friends. I tried to organize a visit with my maternal grandmother one afternoon before sharing a meal with my father’s family. She asked, “We don’t get to eat together?” I explained that we didn’t have to eat every time we spent time together, that being together was most important. She understood and asked if we could have a meal together the next time I came for a visit. To me, it seemed that she felt if we didn’t eat together then our visit didn’t count. What I didn’t understand then was what actually happens when people sit down at a table and share a meal together.  
 
When we sit down at the table and share food together, we are becoming one. We don’t eat separate food or have separate lives. In this moment, we all share in the same food and our lives become blended together as one. I also did not understand at the time that when my grandmother cooked for me it was a gift that she was giving to me. And, her food was definitely a blessing! She was a wonderful cook.
 
However, the three separate families did not seem like a blessing. It was quite difficult that the three families could not come together, or at least two of the families could not come together, at least for a holiday meal. Each family seemed to hold on to their tradition that they ate together for Thanksgiving lunch, or Thanksgiving dinner, or Christmas dinner. No one wanted to alter their tradition for the sake of unity.
 
Jesus altered tradition for the sake of unity. When tradition becomes a point of separation, it is time to be open to changing for the sake of unity. We were never meant to be fragmented and separated as the body of Christ. What happens is that the separateness fragments us away from one another. In my own life, the three separate families became just too difficult, and I stopped returning home as often. When I did visit, I did not attend all of the gatherings. I chose the ones that made efforts to be connected to me.
 
Being together is supposed to be a blessing. Sharing time and food together connects us. Sharing the bread and the cup is a blessing because we share it Christ and with one another in that moment together. It IS a blessing to share the cup that connects us as one. May we drink from the cup of blessing often and always!   
 
Reflection Questions:
Have you ever experienced a true coming together when you sat down at a table and shared a meal with someone? Did you feel a special connection?

Have you experienced a time when the separateness was just too difficult to find a place of unity?

What does sharing Christ mean to you?
 
Pray:
Pray for a difficult situation to resolve and become a blessing.
 
Action:
Be willing to alter a tradition for the sake of unity.
 
*New Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition. Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America.