The Immediate Word
When Jesus Says "no"
Children's sermon
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Dear Fellow Preacher,
Two requests of Jesus from characters in the Gospel readings assigned in the lectionary for this Sunday and the next dominate this issue of The Immediate Word. The request of James and John for places of honor beside Jesus in his time of glory is typical of the self-aggrandizement that is so prized in contemporary life. But Bartimaeus' prayer, "Lord, have mercy on me," has much less appeal to many.
Two requests of Jesus from characters in the Gospel readings assigned in the lectionary for this Sunday and the next dominate this issue of The Immediate Word. The request of James and John for places of honor beside Jesus in his time of glory is typical of the self-aggrandizement that is so prized in contemporary life. But Bartimaeus' prayer, "Lord, have mercy on me," has much less appeal to many.
