46 Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus (which means “son of Timaeus”), was sitting by the roadside begging. 47 When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” 48 Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” 49 Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” So they called to the blind man, “Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you.” 50 Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus. 51 “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him. The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.” ​52 “Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.

​There are moments in life when all we can say, when all we need to say, is what Bartimaeus cried out on the roadside: “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” In these nine words, we find a world of truth, a cry of desperation, a confession of faith, and a model for discipleship. Bartimaeus was blind, poor, marginalized, and overlooked by the crowd. But his story is not one of pity, it is a story of hope, persistence, and the life-changing power of Jesus Christ.
 
Psalm 91, often known as a psalm of protection, reminds us that when we dwell in the shelter of the Highest, God’s mercy surrounds us, even when the world seems loud, dark, and chaotic. Bartimaeus’s cry is not simply about receiving sight, it’s about stepping into that shelter, into that promise, into that new life.
 
The blind man sees more than the crowd, Bartimaeus may have been physically blind, but he saw something others missed. He saw Jesus for who He really was, the Son of David, the promised Messiah. In contrast, the crowd was following Jesus out of curiosity or excitement, but they tried to silence Bartimaeus when he cried out. Isn’t that true for us too? Often, the world tries to hush our hunger for God. Our workplaces demand performance. Our society celebrates independence. Even our own hearts sometimes resist admitting our need. But there is spiritual clarity in confession.
 
We may not be physically blind, but we are often spiritually nearsighted, seeing only what is urgent, forgetting what is eternal. A single mother I once met in Honduras said to me during a prayer visit, “I don’t know much theology, Pastor, but I know how to cry out to God.” That’s the heart of this story. She had no formal education, but her prayers were raw and real, much like Bartimaeus’s: Have mercy on me!
 
Mark tells us that “many rebuked him and told him to be quiet,” but Bartimaeus “shouted all the more.” The world often has a way of trying to shut down faith, especially when it becomes inconvenient or uncomfortable. The crowd tried to define what was appropriate, but Bartimaeus refused to be silenced. In our lives, the "crowd" may come in many forms, disappointment, fear, shame, fatigue. Maybe you've been praying for something for years. Maybe you feel invisible, unheard, or unimportant. But Bartimaeus shows us that the way of faith is a path of holy persistence.
 
Don’t let the noise of the world silence your pursuit of God’s truth. I think of a young man in our congregation in San Salvador who kept attending Sunday school even though his family couldn’t afford proper shoes. He walked miles with torn sandals and never missed a Sunday. When we began sharing breakfast with the children, he told me, “Now I feel like I’m part of the church, not just a visitor.” His faith, quiet and steady, spoke louder than any sermon.
 
When Jesus stopped and called Bartimaeus, the man didn’t hesitate. He threw aside his cloak, the one thing he likely depended on for warmth or collecting coins and ran to Jesus. That image is so powerful: a man willing to leave behind his only security to reach the One who could truly restore him. What is the “cloak” you may need to throw off today? What security, fear, or habit keeps you from leaping toward Jesus? In today’s world, we are often trained to cling tightly to what we know, our routines, our roles, our resources. But Jesus calls us to a deeper trust. To let go. To walk forward even when we can’t yet see the outcome.
 
I once met a new Canadian family who left everything behind to seek asylum and arrived at church with nothing but faith. They told me, “We didn’t know anyone, but we knew God would guide us.” Their vulnerability was matched by their courage, just like Bartimaeus, they responded when Christ called.
 
After receiving his sight, Bartimaeus doesn’t go back to his old life. He doesn’t run to his family or go find a job. He follows Jesus on the road. In Mark’s Gospel, this road is leading to Jerusalem, to the cross. Faith is not just about healing, it’s about discipleship. Bartimaeus’s healing becomes the beginning of a journey. He received not only sight but a new direction.
 
Psalm 91 reminds us that God is not just our protector but our guide: “He will command his angels concerning you… He will be with you in trouble.” The Christian life is not always safe, but it is secure in God’s mercy. True faith says: “Now that I see, I want to walk with You, Lord, wherever You go.”
 
Friends, may we learn to pray with the same depth and simplicity as Bartimaeus: “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”
 
Let this be our posture today, not one of pride or performance, but of dependence and devotion. Like Bartimaeus, may we refuse to be silenced by the world. May we cast aside anything that hinders us. And may we follow Jesus, not only in belief, but in action, in obedience, and in trust.
 
May the Lord open the eyes of our hearts to see Him more clearly. Like Bartimaeus, may we recognize our deep need for Jesus, and with humble hearts, cry out for His mercy. May we persevere in faith, never allowing the noise of the world to silence our pursuit of God’s truth. When Christ calls, may we respond with eagerness, casting aside anything that hinders our walk with Him. And having received His Word, may we follow faithfully on the road of discipleship, allowing His grace to guide our every step. Now, may the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Go in the grace of our Lord, filled with the Spirit, and prepared to live out His Word in all you do. Amen.

35 Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. “Teacher,” they said, “we want you to do for us whatever we ask.” 36 “What do you want me to do for you?” he asked. 37 They replied, “Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory.” 38 “You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said. “Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?” 39 “We can,” they answered. Jesus said to them, “You will drink the cup I drink and be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with, 40 but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared.”

​This sermon encourages us to reflect on Thanksgiving as a time to show gratitude through service, while also acknowledging the unique ways they can serve in their later years. It aligns with the Free Methodist Church's values of holiness, community, and sacrificial love.
 
"Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. 'Teacher,' they said, 'we want you to do for us whatever we ask.' 'What do you want me to do for you?' he asked. They replied, 'Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory.' 'You don't know what you are asking,' Jesus said. 'Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?' 'We can,' they answered. Jesus said to them, 'You will drink the cup I drink and be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with, but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared.
 
Today, as we gather for this special Thanksgiving service, we not only express our gratitude to God for His countless blessings, but we also reflect on how we can embody gratitude through service. In Mark 10:35-40, Jesus teaches us a powerful lesson about humility and service-a message that can deeply resonate with us, especially as we give thanks for all that God has done in our lives. Thanksgiving is a time of reflection and gratitude for the blessings we've experienced over the years. As Free Methodist Church, many of us can look back on decades of God's provision, guidance, and grace. But today's passage invites us to consider how we can turn that gratitude into action-how we can, in our years, continue to live out our thanks by serving others in humility and love.
 
In this passage, we see James and John, two of Jesus' closest disciples, make a bold request: they ask to sit at His right and left hand in glory. They were looking for positions of honor and prominence, perhaps even thinking that they deserved such recognition for their faithfulness.
 
But Jesus, in His wisdom, responds by gently redirecting their focus. He says, "You don't know what you are asking," and He speaks of the cup He must drink-a cup of suffering and self-sacrifice.
 
This is a reminder to all of us that true greatness in God's kingdom doesn't come from seeking honor or recognition but through humble service. As we reflect on this during Thanksgiving, we are reminded that everything we have-our lives, our families, our health, and even our challenges-comes from God. Our response to His generosity should be one of gratitude expressed in service, not in seeking status.
 
We have lived many seasons of life. We have seen both abundance and times of trial. We have learned the importance of thanking God in all circumstances, just as the apostle Paul urges us to do in 1 Thessalonians 5:18: "Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." But the question we face today is: How do we express that gratitude? James and John sought to express their loyalty to Jesus by asking for places of honor. But Jesus teaches them-and us-that true gratitude is shown through humble service. It's not about what we receive but about how we give. For those of us in the later years of life, this can be a powerful message. We might feel that our most active years of service are behind us. Perhaps we're no longer able to do the things we once could. But Jesus reminds us that humble service can take many forms, and it is never too late to serve others with the heart of gratitude.
 
The Free Methodist Church places a strong emphasis on holiness, service, and community. Holiness, in our tradition, is not just about our personal relationship with God; it is also about how we live out that relationship in love for others. John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, taught that "there is no holiness but social holiness," meaning that our faith is meant to be expressed in community and service to others.
 
This Thanksgiving, we have an opportunity to think about how we can continue to live out this call to holiness and service. Perhaps we can no longer serve in the same ways we did when we were younger. But there are still countless ways to express our gratitude to God through acts of love and service. We can offer the gift of our time by mentoring the younger generations, sharing the wisdom we've gained through years of walking with Christ. We can serve through prayer, lifting our church, our families, and our communities to the Lord. We can give generously of our resources to support ministries that help the poor, the lonely, and the lost. And perhaps most importantly, we can offer the gift of encouragement-being a source of hope and joy for others in our church and beyond.
 
Jesus' response to James and John also speaks to the reality that following Him is not always easy. When He asks, "Can you drink the cup I drink?" He is speaking of the suffering and sacrifice that often accompany a life of discipleship. We know that life comes with its challenges. We may face health issues, the loss of loved ones, or the loneliness that can come with aging. But even in these difficult times, we are called to give thanks-not because we deny our struggles, but because we trust that God is with us amid them. This Thanksgiving, as we reflect on the blessings God has given us, let's also remember to give thanks in the hard times. Our gratitude is not based on our circumstances but on the unchanging faithfulness of God. And as we give thanks, we can continue to serve, trusting that God will use our lives-no matter our age-to bring glory to His name.
 
In this season of Thanksgiving, let us be reminded that true gratitude is more than words-it is a way of life. Jesus invites us to live out our gratitude through humble service, just as He did. We have the privilege of showing the younger generations what it looks like to live a life of faithfulness, humility, and gratitude. As we gather with family and friends this Thanksgiving, let us take time to reflect on how we can continue to serve others, even in the later years of our lives. How can we show the love of Christ to those around us? How can we use our time, our resources, and our wisdom to bless others? Let us remember that every act of service, no matter how small, is an expression of our gratitude to God. Whether it's offering a word of encouragement, praying for someone in need, or simply sharing a meal with a neighbor, these are all ways we can give thanks to God for His goodness and grace in our lives.
 
As we celebrate Thanksgiving, may we, like James and John, learn from Jesus that the true path to greatness is not through seeking honor or recognition, but through humble service. Let our gratitude for God's blessings overflow into acts of love and kindness toward others. As Free Methodist Church, we have a unique role to play in the life of our church and community. We have a legacy of faithfulness to pass on to the next generation, and we can do that through humble service, prayer, and generosity. This Thanksgiving, let us commit ourselves to living lives of gratitude-not just in our words, but in our actions. Let us drink from the cup of service that Jesus offers, trusting that as we do, we will experience the fullness of His grace and the joy of serving in His kingdom.
 

28 Then Peter spoke up, “We have left everything to follow you!” ​29 “Truly I tell you,” Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel 30 will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age: homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—along with persecutions—and in the age to come eternal life. 31 But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”

The human life needs a sense, a meaning, to find purpose and fullness, there’s a lot of possibilities to achieve it. During many centuries people has reflect about how to offers to humanity sense or meaning for their lives. Some people find the meaning through accumulation of wealthy and power, others seek it through fun and diversion, many of them have tried trough reflection philosophical and ethical and other through following Jesus. For the people who find the meaning in the wealthy there is a special teaching in the next story contained in the Our daily bread. As Dust Bowl sandstorms ravaged the United Stated during the Great Depression, John Millburn Davis, a resident of Hiawatha, Kansas, decide to make a name for himself. A self-made millionaire with no children, Davis might invest in charity or economic development. Instead, at great expense, he commissioned eleven life-size statues of himself and his deceased wife to stand in the local cemetery. They hate me in Kansas, David told journalist Ernie Pyle, local resident wanted him to fund construction of public facilities like a hospital, swimming pool, or park. Yet all he said was it’s my money and I spend it the way that I please. This story connects with the biblical experience contained in Mark 10 between Jesus and the rich boy and the implications that this encounter had for the Jesus’ disciples.
 
Wesley mentions about this passage that is a kind of continuation of the conversation between Jesus and the rich boy, even it’s a reaction coming from Peter to the attitude of this rich boy due he was not able to makes the total renunciation to his possession to follow Jesus. All the ideals of this rich young man collapsed before the difficulty of fulfilling the necessary condition. He did not have the courage to leave his riches. And he preferred to follow the path of the Pharisees, who saw in riches a sign of their own justice—a reward from God to the righteous—and a means of increasing it by giving alms. And this way of earning heaven with alms allows, and even justifies, preserving and increasing wealth. According to the Jewish doctrine in use, he who gave alms in heaven acquired a treasure in heaven (cf. Mt 6:24 and 20). Therefore, wealth was an opportunity for a pious and rich man to earn heaven more easily than the poor.

It is not clear enough if the reaction coming from Peter but on behalf of the rest of disciples was legitimate or accepted by Jesus, Jesus doesn’t make any complain to Peter about it. The Peter’s question was simple: What about us? We have left all and followed you… then Jesus developed a strong answer to this interrogation. Firstly, Jesus highlighted the idea of renunciation as part of the cost of discipleship, Jesus enlisted some specific areas of renunciation, all of them deeper and relevant, egg, left family, possessions or status, this last item was also attended in the verse 21st. They already have accomplished the two requirements about renunciation, they have left everything behind, and they have followed Jesus. Jesus also referred to the rewards but not like an exchange, it’s not a kind of transaction but a consequence. Julian the apostate tried to interpret Jesus’ message in a wrong way affirming that Jesus was offering hundred of wives, as a literal interpretation but totally wrong. The rewards represent a new dimension which comes into life through a strong relation with God, the new status of sonship, the new meaning, the reward is the new creation.

It's interesting to check the condition of both parties represented in the passage; the rich boy had a lot of things to lose as the bible says. On the other hand, appeared the disciples, who were poor people, fishers, sicks, some of them were people in wealthy position but the majority were crowds of people in disadvantage. Even that, the question coming from Peter reminder us the human nature, because all the time the reaction is to think about all the material things that we accumulate, and we can lose with a simple decision as follow Jesus. The true is the God’s Kingdom is a dimension that transcends the human comprehension, transcends the human limitations about holding all the wealth and gives to the poverty a possibility as deliverance of selfishness and ego. Also, the God’s dimension transcends the human limitation about life because is beyond the human time but includes eternity. In the context of the passage, appears the reference of the Roman Cesar who accumulated a lot of power and a lot of wealth, but also appears the image of Jesus the Son of God who was the real owner of everything. Jesus was talking about leaving house and lands, and the disciples did it, they sold lands and opened their homes to others. No doubts, only God is capable to control the reality because nobody is bigger than God and no ones can be more powerful than Him. The historical and biblical evidence shows that the commitment of the disciples to follow this ethical program coming from Jesus, which starts with renunciation but follows with the solidarity, as appears in passage as Acts 4:36, and represents the seed of a new humanity. The early church was the seed for a new programmatic human project.

Talking about mission, we can share the story of Jim (1927-1956) and Elisabeth (1926-2015) Elliot; Jim and Elisabeth met in college, but they didn’t get married until they separately went to Ecuador to minister to the Quichua. They married in Quito and moved to a more remote area to try to contact the Huaorani tribe (called the Aucas by the Quichua). Jim and four other missionaries were later killed by the tribe they were trying to reach. After her husband’s death, Elisabeth returned and spent two years ministering to the tribe that killed him. Elisabeth Elliot is one of the most known and loved women missionaries in the last few generations. Through her extensive speaking and many beautiful books, her legacy and inspiration will live on in the hearts of all who read them.
​
The reward is contained in the cost of discipleship. The sense of the discipleship include renunciation but has as consequence: the reward, but not like something to seek but as part of the God promise. Nowadays, some Christian, as Julian the apostate, teach wrongly the material wealth is the only evidence of Christianism, especially the prosperity theologicians try to teach that God only bless His people trough material signs, this prosperity thinkers follows the path of the Pharisees, who saw in riches a sign of their own justice—a reward from God to the righteous—and a means of increasing it by giving alms. They still believe in this way of earning heaven with alms allows, and even justifies, preserving and increasing wealth. They continue acting according to the Jewish doctrine in use, he who gave alms in heaven acquired a treasure in heaven and in earth also. The reality is God is the same in our poverty or in our abundance. The influence of Jesus was not so much due to the novelty of his teaching as to the mysterious power of attraction that radiated from his whole person. Many upright and religious men suddenly discovered on meeting him what it means to be perfect. If we have been disciples of Jesus, it doesn’t matter our material or physical condition, God has kept a promise for us, we can live in a life full of sense, meaning and purpose and share this legacy with the new generations and God has kept a place for us in the eternity to share His love forever.