Preparing for Worship - October 24, 2021

Jeremiah, the weeping prophet, has Good News for his people in Jeremiah 31:7-9. After the weeping and sorrows of exile in Babylon, because of their sin and rebellion, God will bring a remnant of His people back to Israel in joy. He will be like a shepherd to them, and ransom and redeem them from hands too strong for them. Read also v.10-11.

The Psalm, Psalm 126, is a psalm of joy at the return of God’s people to their homeland after the exile, as God had promised through Jeremiah. “The Lord has done great things for them.” At the same time, there are still sorrows and troubles, even in Israel, and the people need to keep praying, “Restore our fortunes, O Lord.”

In the Gospel lesson, Mark 10:46-52, Jesus shows that He is that promised Shepherd for His sheep. He even gathers in a “blind beggar," as predicted in the Old Testament lesson. Jesus heals the man physically, so that he can see again, but also heals him spiritually, so that he follows Jesus in faith and salvation.

The Epistle lesson, Hebrews 7:23-28, explains why Jesus could be the Savior of people. He was a sinless high priest who offered Himself up once for all, like a perfect sacrificial Lamb, in payment for the sins of all people by His death on the cross. He also rose from the dead and continues alive forever in order to intercede on behalf of all those who draw near to God through Him. Through Him, they (and we) are helped and saved.