united methodist lectionary readings 2019

Despite the fact that he could not see Jesus with his eyes, in faith he saw Jesus’ true identity more clearly even than many of Jesus’ own disciples. This is an explicit confession of Jesus as messiah. Sunday, OctoProper 25 (30)- Season after Pentecost, Year Bīartimaeus’ faith is proved by the title he gives to Jesus: Son of David. The meaning of crossing ourselves or hanging a cross around our necks is that we accept, embrace, and mark ourselves with ignobility and hardship for the sake of delivering God’s love to the world. In various ways throughout our lives we too are asked to endure shame and false accusations for the sake of Jesus’ name and for the good of the world. James and John for their part would receive theirs in martyrdom and exile-see Acts 12:2 and Revelation 1:9-winning the higher honor of saints in heaven instead of rulers on earth. But this is the cup and baptism that Jesus endured, and he offers it to us, as he did his disciples, as the path to triumph. The shame of undeserved accusation is, in many ways, the hardest part of the whole Passion: it is the polar opposite of a place of honor. “He must have deserved it” would be the default reaction. Roman justice, moreover, was a reliable enough institution that a crucified man would not immediately elicit pity from onlookers. It is hard to see the bleak shame of a death on a cross for modern Christians, we are so used to seeing burnished crucifixes and decorative crosses hanging from necklaces. Relinquishing honor and recognition for the sake of others is what wins the highest reward from God. Jesus uses James’ and John’s ambitions as an opportunity to reveal another aspect of the mystery of the cross.

Sunday, OctoProper 24 (29)- Season after Pentecost, Year B

United methodist lectionary readings 2019