
Godly Play lessons 5 and 6 present two more moments in Jesus’ faith journey. Lesson five tells the story of Bartimaeus and lesson six tells the story of His majestic entrance to Jerusalem.
Bartimaeus was a blind beggar sitting on the side of the road that led to Jerusalem. Jesus was traveling from Jericho to Jerusalem when he came across him. Bartimaeus called out very loudly, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” Jesus went to the beggar and put mud on his eyes to heel his sight. This was the last miracle that Jesus performed before His death. Bartimaeus received mercy from Jesus. Jesus last act was one of mercy. Mercy is an act of grace and compassion. Jesus offers all of us the same mercy and it is okay for each of us to call out and let Jesus know when we are struggling.
Further on this road to Jerusalem, Jesus approached the Mount of Olives and He sent two of His disciples to fetch a donkey. When Kings of that time entered the town, they did so, on a royal horse not a donkey. “Hosanna to God in the highest!” could be heard throughout the town as He entered. It was a royal greeting for a merciful person. The word Hosanna can be translated to mean “Save us, rescue us, Savior!” We all need a little recuing sometimes. It may be an incidental moment or a moment of huge proportion, but His mercy is always there for us. That is such a comforting feeling.
This week our Sunday School lesson includes Bartimaeus eyes origami craft to help us see the mercy given to us and donkey crafts to remind us to always be humble and kind. Mercy is love that responds to human need in an unexpected or unmerited way. We are beyond grateful for the mercy that our heavenly Father shares with us!