Origen of Alexandria: Make Him Stop

As Jesus and His disciples were leaving Jericho, a large crowd followed Him. Two blind men were sitting by the roadside, and when they heard that Jesus was going by, they shouted, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!” The crowd rebuked them and told them to be quiet, but they shouted all the louder, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!” Jesus stopped and called them. “What do you want me to do for you?” he asked. “Lord,” they answered, “we want our sight.” Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and followed Him. Matthew 20:29-34

“Would that, realizing our blindness, we were seated by the roadside of the Scriptures, and hearing that Jesus is passing by, that we could make him stop beside us with the force of our prayer.”

Origen of Alexandria (c. 185-253) in Commentary on St. Matthew’s Gospel 12:20.

God has me sitting in this text and the parallel passage in Mark this week. I hope it ministers to you too.

We see the mercy and compassion of Jesus meet the blindness and brokenness of two blind men. They believe that Jesus can give them what they need: mercy (not the judgment they deserve) and sight (vision that can only come from Him).

In Matthew’s Gospel, it is not one blind man named Bartimaeus but two blind men that receive their sight.

This implies that what God did for Bartimaeus was not a one off. Jesus can do it for two men. He can do it for me and you. He can hold back judgment and give clear vision.

Wherever you are today, make Him stop. Ask Jesus for mercy and vision. As He gives it, follow Him wherever He leads.

This shapes our generosity as His calls for giving our lives, our resources, and anything else, will seem crazy according to the world’s way of thinking, but once we have mercy and vision, they make sense in God’s economy.

“Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road. Mark 10:52

“The blind man replies immediately. Lord that I may see. He does not ask the Lord for gold, but for sight. He has little use for anything except to be able to see, because although a blind man can have many other things, without his sight, he cannot see what he has got. Let us imitate, therefore, what we have just heard.”

Gregory the Great in Homilies on the Gospels 2.7.

Gregory makes an interesting point. What does sight give us? The ability to see what we have. This positions us to respond to the “go’ command from Jesus. We see. We discern direction. Then we act, we move, we go.

I have arrived safely at home. And I pray for sight for me and each person that participated in the GTP Global Gathering this past week and I pray this for all readers of Daily Meditations.

Imagine what Bartimaeus got when His prayer was answered. He saw God incarnate standing right in front of him. This is precisely what happens when Jesus gives us sight.

To think we need gold to make things happen is to walk in blindness. To realize what we have – we have God with us – and whatever He has given us, we can go and do whatever He asks of us.

I pray for you and me to have sight today.

“What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him. The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.” Mark 10:51

“Now Bartimaeus is standing before Jesus. The people gather around to see what will happen. Our Lord asks him: What do you want me to do for you? He, who could restore sight – did He really no know what the blind man wanted? Jesus wants us to ask him. He knows our needs before we do, and He wants to remedy them.”

Francis Fernandez in In Conversation with God: Meditations for Each Day of the Year, volume 3 (London: Scepter, 1990) 457.

What do you want Jesus to do for you? I notice as I ponder the act of asking, it does something very interesting. It reveals the condition of my heart.

What do you want Jesus to do for you? Imagine the generosity of our God to pose this question. Imagine the power of this invitation. What are you waiting for?

What do you want Jesus to do for you? Ask Him.

I asked God to bring 60 people from 28 countries and territories together to knit their hearts together in unity for global collaboration. He did that and more, beyond what I could have asked or imagined.

Like great spices come together to make a meal, He worked to expand the GTP global team.

Today, my prayer is asking God to complete the work He started in our time together, in the life of each person. As they discern their faithful activities, I am asking Him to help them do them over the next year.

I concluded our time sending them forth – as board members, staff members, regional facilitators, country coordinators, course moderators, and special friends with this blessing.

But now be strong, Zerubbabel,’ declares the LORD. ‘Be strong, Joshua son of Jozadak, the high priest. Be strong, all you people of the land,’ declares the LORD, ‘and work. For I am with you,’ declares the LORD Almighty. Haggai 2:4

And I am asking God for safe travel as Jenni and I board a long direct flight from Istanbul to Denver. And also lifting up prayers for the rest of the participants to make it safely to their destinations.

He told them: “Take nothing for the journey—no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, no extra shirt. Luke 9:3

“Never forget that Christ cannot be reached without sacrifice. We have to get rid of everything that gets in the way: greatcoat, haversack, water bottle.”

Francis Fernandez in In Conversation with God: Meditations for Each Day of the Year, volume 3 (London: Scepter, 1990) 457.

Today, many of my co-workers and fellow volunteers are returning to the corders of the world. This post serves as good packing instructions for them.

But you can’t understand it if you don’t know what a greatcoat, haversack, and water bottle are. The greatcoat implies covering. The haversack is like a backpack which refers carries supplies or tools. And the water bottle carried the most critical element of sustenance, water.

So Jesus with his instructions and Fernandez in reply remind us that it is not these tools which provide the power for ministry, it is Christ.

Only when we stop trusting in these tools do we understand His power. Only then can we wield them when we are free from dependence upon them. The workers understand this sacrifice expected of them by our Lord so they are ready and fit for service. Are you?

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. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” So they called to the blind man, “Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you.” Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus. “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him. The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.” “Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road. Mark 10:46-52

“Difficulties soon arise for the man who searched in darkness for Christ, who is passing by… Bartimaeus doesn’t pay the slightest attention. Jesus is his great hope, and he doesn’t know if their paths will ever cross again. And instead of keeping quiet, he cries out all the louder. Son of David, have mercy on me… The blind man’s prayer is heard. He has achieved His desire, in spite of external difficulties, in spite of the pressure of his surroundings, and despite his own blindness, which has prevented him from knowing exactly where Jesus is. For Jesus has remained silent, apparently indifferent to his petition…”

Francis Fernandez in In Conversation with God: Meditations for Each Day of the Year, volume 3 (London: Scepter, 1990) 455-456.

After gathering a sampling of passionate Christians from around the world, I plan to warn them today about the difficulties that will arise for them the minute or the hour they get home.

That’s how the evil on works. Their contexts are filled with darkness. They have experienced light and clarity. But the minute they get him, it will be difficult for them.

What should they do? What should we all do, even when it seems like Jesus is indifferent to our petition, even when it seems like we pray to no avail.

Serving our context generously means that we ignore the difficulties and cry out to Jesus. And when we get His attention, we ask for vision so we can see.

Father in heaven, grant every Global Gathering participant (and every person reading this) courage to call to Jesus, despite difficulties, and ask for the ability to see in this dark world. And make it so by your Holy Spirit. Amen.

Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. Ephesians 4:2-3

“When we serve someone with a smile and a pleasant manner it is as if our action has acquired an enhanced value, apart from its being all the more appreciated. And when a chance or the duty arises of offering a service which is likely to be disagreeable or even repugnant, do it with a special joy with the humility you would manifest if you were indeed the servant of everyone. You will draw such great treasure of virtue and of grace from acting in such circumstances in this way. Sometimes we can find this kind of thing hard, and then we will pray: Jesus, keep me smiling.”

Vincenzo Gioacchino Raffaele Luigi Pecci (1810-1903) in The Practice of Humility, 32.

Our time together at the GTP Global Gathering has exceeded all expectations. God has poured out His Spirit on board members, staff, regional facilitators, country coordinators, course moderators, and special guests.

Their zeal to serve with a smile to add enhanced value has brought them and everyone special joy. I could not be any more thankful at this moment. Special thanks to all our senders for sending us here with their love, support, and prayers.

Keep praying as we have a few more days and then everyone will be deployed to the corners of the earth. If that’s where you finds yourself while reading this, then please know this: if you serve with a smile wherever you are it may not change the world, but it will change your world.

One of my daily readers looked at the photo of the spices from the Spice Market in Istanbul and pondered which spice he would be. So I ask you to think about that and consider the implications for those around you.

Serve the LORD with gladness; Come before Him with joyful singing. Psalm 100:2

“We cannot imagine our Lord looking strained or irritated or reluctant, when the multitudes surge around him or when he washes the feet of His disciples. He serves joyfully, cheerfully, agreeably. And that is how we should carry out those duties that are a service to God, to society, and to our neighbor.”

Francis Fernandez in In Conversation with God: Meditations for Each Day of the Year, volume 3 (London: Scepter, 1990) 451.

Yesterday evening we walked to the Spice Market before dinner in Old Town Istanbul.

I pondered the spice that our service brings to life and to the world around us. Or that it could bring when we all resolve to serve the LORD with gladness.

Today we pivot from a time of learning together to a time of listening and discernment.

We will do this functionally (as board members, regional facilitators, country coordinators, and course moderators) as a basis for moving to more tactical discussions tomorrow.

Pray for each person to take a joyful, cheerful, and agreeable posture of service.

Pray for God to gently and clearly lead and guide us in the way we should go as we wait on Him. And join us. Wherever you are, wait on the LORD for leading and guidance and serve Him with gladness.

So he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him. John 13:4-5

“Once again He preaches by example, by what He did. In the presence of the disciples, who are arguing out of pride and vanity, Jesus bows down and gladly carries on with the task of a servant… This tactfulness of our Lord moves us deeply. He does not say, “If I do this, how much more ought you to do it? He puts Himself at their level, and in so doing, He lovingly chides these men for the lack of generosity.”

Josemaría Escrivá (1902-1975) in Friends of God: Homilies by Josemaría Escrivá (Sinag-Tala Publishers, 1977) 103.

We serve a God who lovingly chides us. He does not beat us up for our lack of generosity. He models the way for us, graciously and humbly.

This serves as a timely lesson for me as host of the GTP Global Gathering 2024 in Turkey. I must model the precise behavior and set the example that I want people to follow.

How does this relate to your situation? Who do you serve? Who is watching you? What example are you setting for them to follow?

While I have fully present and focused on those I am serving here in Turkey, I am prayerful for my parents who have a hurricane headed right toward them.

May God strengthen us here in Istanbul and around the world to set good example. And may He protect those in danger or distress and deliver them from their troubles.

Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Him. “Teacher,” they said, “we want you to do for us whatever we ask.” “What do you want me to do for you?” he asked. They replied, “Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory.” “You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said. “Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?” “We can,” they answered. Jesus said to them, “You will drink the cup I drink and be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with, but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared.” When the ten heard about this, they became indignant with James and John. Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Mark 10:35-42

“[Today’s Scripture] records the petition of the sons of Zebedee that they might be given the first place in the new kingdom. When the other disciples discovered this ambition of theirs, they were indignant with the two brothers. It was not, in all likelihood, the unusual character of the request that annoyed them. It was probably rather because they all felt that each one of them had an equal or better claim than James and John to fill such a top position. Jesus knew the ambition of those who were to be the foundation stones of His Church. He tells them that they cannot behave like those princelings who oppress and lord it over their subjects. The authority of the Church will be very different from this: quite the opposite, in fact, whoever would be great among you much be your servant and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. This is a new kind of lordship, a new way of ‘being great’. And our Lord shows them the grounds for this new dignity and the reason for it: for the Son of man also came not be be served but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.”

Francis Fernandez in In Conversation with God: Meditations for Each Day of the Year, volume 3 (London: Scepter, 1990) 445.

What do you want me to do for you? These words of Jesus stood out to me.

Today about 60 people convene from 30 countries in Istanbul. It will be amazing. We will do an activity (facilitated by a complex algorithm) so they all get to know each other.

And they don’t know it yet, but they will have fun doing a values activity.

They will come together as strangers, and in Jesus name, leave as likeminded servants who all have the Spirit of God within them and who discover their shared values.

These are the 10 values of GTP.

Christian commitment, listening, humble service, global diversity, partnership, biblical teaching, empowerment, transparency, accountability standards, and sustained interdependence.

Learn more about them here.

The exercise aims to remind us all what knits us together and to focus not on personal aspirations, like the sons of Zebedee, but to focus on our service together where God has us.

Thanks for your prayers for a rich day.

I am hearing Jesus ask me this question – What do you want me to do for you? – And in reply I am saying, “forge relationships through which the Spirit produces unimaginable fruit.”

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Hebrews 12:1-3

“Christ has promised eternal happiness to those who are faithful to Him. They will hear the voice of the Lord whom they served on earth, telling them. Come O blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. All we renounce in order to follow Christ more closely, or the little we suffer for Him is rewarded on hearing these words of welcome as we enter into eternity. Jesus himself leads us into heaven. Although we follow Christ for love, a moment may come when everything is suddenly somehow more difficult. Then is the time for us to utter some aspiration that will help us think of the prize. It is worth while, let us remind ourselves, it is worth while, it is worth while. So our hope will be strengthened and our way becomes more assured.”

Francis Fernandez in In Conversation with God: Meditations for Each Day of the Year, volume 3 (London: Scepter, 1990) 445.

It is worth while. I am telling myself this today.

I want the words on my tongue to remind those whose visas have been rejected and who have been hindered from attending the GTP Global Gathering in Istanbul.

This rejection strengthens my resolve to use my USA passport to serve these people.

Today, I mourn that workers from Rwanda, Ghana, Benin, Pakistan, and Togo have been hindered from attending. These workers needed to attend as much as anyone.

Perhaps your life has gotten suddenly somehow more difficult?

In that moment, we cannot give up. I am tempted all the time. We cannot give in to the temptation. We cannot grow weary and lose heart.