I’m currently at the annual gathering of United Methodists in northern Illinois (aka Annual Conference), which is always a mixed bag. It’s part seeing good colleagues and friends, part hearing about inspirational ministries in our area, part hearing report after report after report and, when we allow it, the Holy Spirit pierces through, as well.
That was the case earlier today when Rev. Grace Imathiu led a Bible study. She led us through Mark 10:46-52 and one of the many highlights was her reflecting on what Bartimaeus (a “blind beggar,” according to the text) called Jesus: “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” He could have called him anything. Jesus of Nazareth. Rabbi. But Rev. Imathiu noted that Son of David was not only a politically dangerous thing to say (it conjured up visions of a messiah, which wouldn’t go over well with the Roman authorities), but it bespoke something strong, something you can hang and hold onto.
When we are struggling in our lives and we need to hold onto something that will literally save us, we need Son of David, savior, Lord. That’s a name that will bring us through.