Hello all,

The March lunch was probably our best attended event this year, 15 people showed up and four went riding. Many others had plans or could not ride due to their bike not being ready for the season. I met a bunch of new people and we had some great food at Nifty Fifties. I had two cheeseburgers and a toasted marshmallow soda, yummy! After lunch, hanging out, and sharing the Word we went on a northbound jaunt through Delaware, Chester and Montgomery counties. It was less than 100 miles, we got stuck behind cars and the roads did have some debris; but it still was a cool ride. I discovered some new roads and it was good to out in the wind, riding. The Scripture is below and I hope to see you in April.

Scripture Readings for March 2011

Mark 10:46-52 (New International Version, ©2011)
Blind Bartimaeus Receives His Sight 46 Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus (which means “son of Timaeus”), was sitting by the roadside begging. 47 When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”
48 Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”
49 Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.”
So they called to the blind man, “Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you.” 50 Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus.
51 “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him.
The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.”
52 “Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.

In this passage we see Bartimaeus sitting by the road begging outside of Jericho. As was common in the ancient world, a beggar would lay out their cloak before them so people could cast food or money upon it to help them. Many cities in the ancient world were walled so folk had to go in and out gates where they would pass by beggars. Here is where Bartimaeus would show his mettle and his faith. When he heard Jesus pass by, he calls to Him. The name he uses for Jesus "the Son of David" is a messianic name (showing Jesus was the Messiah, or "annointed one"), the only time it is used in the Gospel of Mark. Even though he is scoffed by the people he still calls out to Jesus in faith. Jesus stops and tells others to tell Bartimaeus to come here. Notice, Jesus doesn't call to Him directly nor does He go to him. Others do the work for God, and the one who seeks God, comes to Him. Here is one of two places Bartimaeus demonstrates his faith in God; first he throws aside his cloak and goes to Jesus. This cloak was his means for sustenance and income, plus his way to stay warm at night. Typically poor folk in the Ancient World didn't have blankets, note Exodus 22:26-27.

Exodus 22:26-27 (New International Version, ©2011)
26 If you take your neighbor’s cloak as a pledge, return it by sunset, 27 because that cloak is the only covering your neighbor has. What else can they sleep in? When they cry out to me, I will hear, for I am compassionate.

The next thing he does to demonstrate his full faith in God is he goes to Jesus, speaks his request, gets healed, and follows Jesus. Notice, he never goes back to get his cloak, he doesn't need it anymore, he is fully reliant on God. The key verse for this passage in verse 51 where Jesus asks Bartimaeus, "What do you want to me to do for you?" This is an example for us all to follow; throw aside things that we've been relying upon to sustain us, go to Jesus and ask to be healed/saved, and then follow Him. My question for all of you is, "What do you want Jesus to do for you?" May God bless you all this coming year.