The new Steinbeck tasting room has a lot of antiques to see. This “stuff” had been stored in sheds and around the yard for generations. I began gathering this “stuff” and asking my dad about its use. My eyes have been opened to our history through these antiques that are displayed in the tasting room. My eyes have been opened to the importance of preserving and telling our past as we value today and launch into the future.

The blind beggar knew history – Jesus’ and his own. He wanted so much more: And they came to Jericho. And as he was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a great crowd, Bartimaeus, a blind beggar, the son of Timaeus, was sitting by the roadside. ⁴⁷And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" ⁴⁸And many rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he cried out all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!" ⁴⁹And Jesus stopped and said, "Call him." And they called the blind man, saying to him, "Take heart. Get up; he is calling you." ⁵⁰And throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus. ⁵¹And Jesus said to him, "What do you want me to do for you?" And the blind man said to him, "Rabbi, let me recover my sight." ⁵²And Jesus said to him, "Go your way; your faith has made you well." And immediately he recovered his sight and followed him on the way. Mark 10:46-52

Bartimaeus had heard about Jesus of Nazareth; he knew to call him Jesus, Son of David; he knew to cry out for mercy. Bartimaeus cried out because he didn’t want to stay where he was – he wanted a future with a hope and he was certain that his future involved Jesus of Nazareth. He followed Jesus after Jesus restored his sight. He probably saw: Jesus entering Jerusalem triumphantly. He probably saw and heard things he never expected – the man in whom his hope rested speaking harshly to the religious leaders, arrested, beaten and crucified. He may have been one of many who saw the risen Lord.

We will stay where we are in the history of our faith walk if we see Jesus only in the context of history. Following Jesus means we go where he takes us on this journey of life. We are called to confront Jesus’ question "What do you want ME to do for you?" in our heart, spirit and soul. Perhaps our history involves trying to fulfill our needs by getting others to do what we think we want them to do to fulfill our needs. Perhaps our history involves trying to hide behind a façade of strength or self preservation. That tangled web can never fulfill.

We celebrate the birth of the Christ. We know the history, but are our eyes open to the present and the future? Christ Jesus asks, "What do you want ME to do for you?" and “Do you really know why I, God, was born into human skin?” and “Will you beg me into your life?” Jesus says, “I will never leave you or forsake you.” Paul declares that we were baptized into Christ were baptized into his life, his death and his resurrection so that we could walk in a new life (Romans 6).

We celebrate the history of this event and we celebrate that we have eternal life IN Christ. We are called to open our eyes to the life, the freedom, the wholeness, the peace, the joy, and the hope Christ won for us for the present and the future. These gifts are ours IN Christ. We are called to follow and celebrate. May God grant us courage to really want then receive from Jesus that which he graciously gives. May God grant us boldness to give in ways that are beyond comprehension and can only be done in Christ. May his peace guard our hearts and give us joy in the celebration. Blessings IN Christ, Cindy

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