Liturgy for the 23rd Sunday after Pentecost, Year B (Mark)
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Passages of the Day
Job 42:1–6, 10–17: Job acknowledges God’s omnipotence and admits his own limited understanding. He repents for speaking out of turn and is restored by God. His fortunes are renewed, and he is blessed with twice as much as he had before. Job lives out his remaining days in prosperity and his family grows. I imagine how one sees this book (a parable, a biography of a real person) will determine one's theology and what moral one derives from it.
Psalm 34:1–8 (19–22): The psalmist praises the Lord for delivering him from all his fears and troubles. He invites others to taste and see that the Lord is good, promising that God will protect and save those who seek Him. The latter verses assure that God is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. The righteous will be delivered from afflictions, and the Lord redeems His servants. *Pastoral point - when we read Job 42 and Psalm 34 together, do we give the congregation the impression that life will work out fine for them? What if life of a faithful person falls apart? I wonder about this.
Hebrews 7:23–28: This passage contrasts the Levitical priests with Jesus as the ultimate high priest. While the Levitical priests were many due to their mortality, Jesus, as a priest forever, is a permanent intercessor. His sacrifice is once and for all, perfecting and redeeming those who come to God through Him.
Mark 10:46–52: In this passage, Jesus heals Bartimaeus, a blind beggar, near Jericho. Bartimaeus calls out to Jesus, expressing his faith in his ability to heal. Jesus responds to his faith, restores his sight, and commends him for his belief, which leads Bartimaeus to follow Jesus on the road. This is one of my favorite stories in the gospels - unabashed faith, unbounded love.
Overlapping Themes
Restoration and Healing: Job’s fortunes are restored, and he is blessed with new prosperity and family after his trials (Job 42:1–6, 10–17). Similarly, Jesus heals Bartimaeus, restoring his sight and enabling him to follow Him (Mark 10:46–52). Both stories highlight significant changes and renewal brought about by divine intervention and grace.
Divine Deliverance: Psalm 34 speaks of God rescuing the righteous from their troubles and providing comfort to the brokenhearted (Psalm 34:1–8, 19–22). Hebrews 7 describes Jesus as the ultimate high priest who offers a permanent means of redemption and delivers believers from sin (Hebrews 7:23–28). These passages emphasize God’s power to deliver and save.
Faith and Trust in God: Job demonstrates renewed trust in God’s wisdom and plan through his acknowledgment and repentance (Job 42:1–6, 10–17). The psalmist encourages trust in God’s goodness and protection (Psalm 34:1–8, 19–22). Bartimaeus shows faith in Jesus’ healing power, which leads to his sight being restored (Mark 10:46–52).
God’s Provision and Care: Psalm 34 assures that God provides for those who seek Him and cares for the righteous (Psalm 34:1–8, 19–22). Hebrews 7 portrays Jesus as the eternal high priest who provides for believers’ redemption and continual intercession (Hebrews 7:23–28).
Sermon Ideas for Mark 10:46–52 and Job 42
“Blind Bartimaeus: Shadows, Shouting, and Sight:” focus on how his persistent faith in Jesus led to both physical and spiritual restoration. Emphasize Bartimaeus’s determination despite opposition and how his healing represents a profound life transformation. Sometimes faith takes audacity and determination. Do we dare ask God to do daring things? Another concept is that he had the courage to call and the faith to follow.
“Restored to Flourish: Lessons from Job’s Renewal”, reflect on Job’s journey from suffering to restoration, emphasizing his acknowledgment of God’s power and the blessings that followed his perseverance. If I were to preach from this text I would talk about how God can take a situation that seems like desolation and cause it to flower with abundance.
Call to Worship
One: Welcome to this sacred gathering, where we come together to worship and give thanks. Let us lift our hearts in praise.
All: We will bless the Lord at all times; God's praise shall continually be in our mouths.
One: Let us exalt the Lord together and experience the goodness of God. As the psalmist invites, let us taste and see that the Lord is good.
All: We seek refuge in the Lord and find our delight in God's presence.
One: The Lord hears our cries and delivers us from all our fears. As we worship today, let us trust in God's care and rejoice in the Lord's faithfulness.
All: Come, let us worship the Lord with gladness and give thanks for God's abundant grace.
Prayer of Confession
Gracious God, we acknowledge our need for your forgiveness and grace. We recognize our shortcomings and seek insight and healing, confessing our doubts and trusting your goodness. We admit we have let fears overshadow our faith and have not sought refuge in you. Transform our hearts, renew our spirits, and guide us back to a place of deep trust and gratitude. (personal prayer)
One: Lord may your name be glorified in us and through us. We ask this through Christ Jesus, your only begotten son. It is he who is our Lord and our Savior, our brother and our friend.
Assurance of Pardon - (Psalm 34:18)
The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
Prayer of Illumination
O Lord, God of light and truth, we come before you seeking your guidance and wisdom as we open your Word. Enlighten our hearts and minds by your Holy Spirit, that we may understand the teachings of Scripture and be transformed by them. Remove any barriers that obscure our view of your truth and help us to grasp the depth of your wisdom and grace. May your Word penetrate our souls, bringing clarity, conviction, and renewal. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord, we pray. Amen.
Prayer of Dedication
Creator and Redeemer, Loving God, accept our humble offerings and our commitment to live according to your will. Guide us in our endeavors, and help us to use our gifts and talents to serve others and advance your kingdom. May our actions and words reflect your love and grace, and may we be instruments of your peace and justice in the world.
