The readings this Sunday are from Jeremiah 31:7-9; Hebrews 7:23-28; and Mark 10:46-52.
These lessons make a transition from people who are full to people who are empty.
Jeremiah describes how God seeks out and gathers His people from everywhere. Remember that God’s people are children of Abraham (as Galatians 3:7 says, “Know then that those who are honest about dependence are the children of Abraham.”) People who are full of themselves and full of material possessions can be dishonest about what their life depends on, but people who are scattered and in deep need cannot.
Hebrews talks about how the Lord Jesus ever lives to make intercession for us as our great high priest. More than that, because the Lord is with us, He knows our needs and hears our cries for help. People honest about dependence and about their need, like blind Bartimaeus in Mark 10, cry out for Jesus to have mercy – and He does.
The promises of God convey His mercy by regenerating and empowering our souls and His sacraments are constant confirmation of His Spirit in and with us. Jesus ever lives to raise us up.