Take Heart – Rise – He Is Calling You

Mark 10:46-52

I was shown into a room with all the others and sat down.

Nobody said a word – we were all waiting on tenterhooks.

Suddenly footsteps,  on the floor above. Big heavy footsteps.

“Here they come” said the young woman sitting next to me.

Footsteps on the stairs now – and then the door burst open.

A huge man with a face like a bull filled the doorway

“Andrew Cunnington?” he growled

“Yes” I said timidly – rising on feet that felt like jelly

“Come with me”

Is there any worse place on earth than that place?

The Driving test centre waiting room! – when your name is called.

Is there anything that we hate more than suddenly being singled out?

Picked upon to answer a question! Put on the spot without warning!

I still do not like it.

The thought then of being singled out by God fills us with fear.

He’ll see right through me! He’ll demand of me things I’m not able to give.

We learn from our Gospel reading that this is not true.

When Jesus  calls your name. When he puts your life on the spot – all the fear you once had starts to crumble.

Sometimes he comes without warning as in the life of Bartimeaus.

 Sometimes you can help to make it happen as in the lives of Aneira and Oliver – brought for baptism this morning.

For Bartimeaus it was just the start of another dull day.

Lining up with all the other beggars – hoping to get enough to just go on living.

Something makes him cry out to Jesus.

The crowd tries to shut him up – but he goes on and on – until they call the blind man

Take heart! Rise! He is calling you!

Take heart! – have no fear anymore – your life is so close to God’s life.

Rise! – don’t just sit there – take action now – get up as if your life is risen from the dead.

He is calling you! – calling you by name – calling you as you are – calling you to be a part of his life – to be a follower.

And you see things as you never saw them before.

And this is what is happening in the lives of these two children today.

Take heart! – the wordl is huge and complex whilst you are so small and innocent – but your life is so close to God’s life through this Baptism – it could change that..it really could

Rise! – be like a sun rising to greet a new day – be like that to people – be one ready to embrace life

His is calling you! – even before you two can walk – he knows you by name and wants you to follow.

Baptism is our Amen to all this.

And to the rest of us who sit here.

Regular worshippers or welcome visitors – it is no different.

Take Heart ! – especially in times that are troubled – for his love is here

Rise! – think of those parts of your life that are at a standstill and going nowhere – could there be a new start – here and now – suddenly

He is calling you – It’s not just Oliver  and Aneira who’s names are on the lips of God today – but your name too  - wherever you are in the crowd – his love singles you out.

Forty minutes later out in the car park.

The bull looks at his clipboard and snorts

“Andrew Cunnington – 7 errors – I’m afraid you haven’t passed – good morning!”

And you’re left there at the wheel – not qualified to drive

The Good news is – God does not do that!

RH 25.10.09