What a place!

Wow, COP26 is fast approaching, the large exhibition tents are up and plans are being circulated for the divers to comb the River Clyde, which roads may be closed, and the changes to the public transport system to accompany the thousands who will arrive in Glasgow. Albeit some national leaders may still prefer an aircraft and a helicopter flight to gain access to the centre – are they using the electric variant perhaps? They are coming to Glasgow – what a place!

Last week I offered a short video tour of some of the sights of Glasgow: Buchanan Street, Jamaica Street, the Tron as I learnt about the past links with the rum, sugar and tobacco trade and then to slavery. To me Glasgow offers such delights as we weave through this great city, of the architecture, the hills not so far away – if it isn’t raining; and of course the people. The people here, to my limited experience, are ones who who will chat and help you to your destination. We might discover that in our Bible readings today.

Do we have hope?

In the Hebrew Scriptures we read from Isaiah 35:1-9. This is where the Israelites are given hope of the future, of what will be if they follow God.

How are we feeling as COP26 is about to start? Do we feel expectant that progress, real substantial progress will be made or will there be soundbites and publicity statements to appease their own supporters? Isaiah 35 presents the promise of the salvation of Israel. The redeemed of the Lord, all Israel, will have everlasting joy. Why? The people will journey to Zion from the wilderness (noted in Ezekiel 20:35) along the Highway of Holiness. Sounds grand. This passage speaks of so much hope: of water that will not only break forth in the wilderness, across the desert even; but lush green lands where God’s kin_dommay be seen/felt/experienced.

Our beautiful world

All that we hear seems the opposite of what is predicted currently. Yes, water is being released, in torrents, but from the ice caps. Water now flows through urban areas causing carnage, sweeping away livelihoods, losing the harvest. We have fires burning swathes of land, destroying crops; the lungs of the world being either cut down or destroyed for financial temporal gain. What a passage to stop and ponder what we, as society, have done and seemingly continue to do… unless we make significant changes. Our world, God’s world, what a place…and what have we done?

Do we need to question our approach to COP26, to Climate Change? Is this a fortnight of activity which will then safely be put back to bed for another year, a transient moment amidst this already turbulent year, or can we, will we, find ways that we can make real substantial progress: individually, at our work, within our church, even what our church says and importantly does: not just within COP26 but afterwards, a living legacy. This hope for the way that God desires has been in view, in our focus, for many decades now. Albeit years ago in reality, now is the time for that change, not just for our generation but many more after us. As we have just read: when will the eyes of the blind be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped? When

Where is Jesus this week?

As we are reading from the Gospel according to Mark, we have to keep our seatbelts fastened as the author takes this way and then immediately that way – there’s little time for sightseeing on this trip, that’s for sure.

Before we read from Mark’s Gospel I want to take us back a month or so. In Mark Chapter 8 there is a passage about Jesus healing a blind man. We are in Bethsaida, and the man is brought to Jesus by his mates. Jesus applies spittle to his eyes, and on the second application, the man can see. The man is not named and nor are we told what he does afterwards – other than he is directed to avoid the village.

And so we now have a glance at Mark 10:46-52.

Jericho

We have moved from Bethsaida, near to the very northern point of the Sea of Galilee, to Jericho, north west from the Dead Sea – for Jesus is still en route to Jerusalem.

Jericho is purportedly the oldest city in the world and also the lowest in the world. It is the city where the Israelites entered the promised land, the city of Joshua, and of Rahab. It is where Herod would have his winter palace. The Romans were very much present within Jericho. Jericho would be the last stop en route to Jerusalem for pilgrims. It was only another 15 miles to go to their destination. Hence beggars might congregate there hoping that the pilgrims might be generous.

In Verse 46 we read that Jesus arrives in Jericho and as they were leaving the city… just a moment – leaving Jericho, what a place! With so much political, historical and even theological wonders, why Jesus, why are you so keen to leave this place behind? Just think there are so many opportunities for making good news here – people will talk, which will spread far and wide.

Political Dynamite

No, Jesus, possibly head down, is striding out of the city when this lone voice cries out “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” One sentence packed full of political dynamite.

Jesus has been called many things in his time – Son of God, Son of Man and here Son of David. This last title suggests strongly to all who heard that cry that here is the rightful heir to the throne of David – this is a political statement of intent. Here is the Messiah, the one who will overthrow the external rulers and bring forward the kin_dom of God here on Earth. Who was that crying out?

Bartimaeus

It was Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, the ‘son of the defiled or unclean’. This beggar – what are your thoughts when we see a street beggar? – this blind beggar – oh my goodness, how could we have got to this? – this blind beggar who may well have been nigh on naked bar for a cloak… Bartimaeus comes with no pretensions, no side story – he is desperate. The disciples having developed a track record for not understanding what Jesus is doing, the crowd tell Bartimaeus to be quiet and rebuked him. Recall that Mark’s Gospel was written around the time of the Jewish revolt – that line about Son of David would have resonated strongly with the readers then. They wouldn’t want retribution due to an upstart. But Bartimaeus has sufficient energy to throw off that cloak, probably his sole element of livelihood for he would spread it out to receive money – and goes to Jesus.

Jesus doesn’t apply balm to the eyes this time but sees that this man’s faith is sufficient. It isn’t about status that interests Bartimaeus but vision. It is Bartimaeus’ intent to meet with Jesus, be with Jesus, and to follow Jesus that is key. We see that when Bartimaeus follows Jesus along the road – he doesn’t stay in that place either.

And so to us

We may have lived in Glasgow for many years. We may have grown accustomed to its ways. Yes it might be uncomfortable at times, but we might be able to see some stability, some pattern to life which gives us some certainty, and so we elect to stay – it’s a dear green place after all.

Glasgow may not have the distinct wonders of Jericho but it is the focal point of the world from next week. Leaders from across our world, God’s world, will flock here to be counted, to have their say, to be heard. The trappings of COP26, the media spotlight upon this fair city may be illuminating for a while, the many people who we hope might flock to his church, to receive hospitality, a great welcome, to see/feel/experience God’s love here and in other places across the city, may be alluring. But what matters is what happens afterwards.

If the blind man in Bethsaida is not content to remain there, if Bartimaeus wishes to follow Jesus rather than return to where he has grown accustomed to, then we also must not return to our place of comfort. No, I am not suggesting we leave Glasgow en masse, but our perspective must change – and like these two characters that Jesus met, their outlook, our outlook, must change radically.

If we return after COP26 and nothing has changed in our lives, nothing has changed in our own churches, or with the Methodist Church, then what can we say? Bartimaeus was unwilling to accept the current situation, demanding that something change. He was transformed from a road-sitter to a Jesus follower, one who sought the kin_dom of God here on Earth.

Transformation is one of the Circuit’s key words: how might we – us, the Church – be really transformed throughout COP26?

Now that would be a great place to be.