The Gospel of Luke
This devotional is written by Sally Watson. Sally is Operations Manager here at St Mary's
Luke 18:35-43
A Blind Beggar Receives His Sight
35 As Jesus approached Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging. 36 When he heard the crowd going by, he asked what was happening. 37 They told him, "Jesus of Nazareth is passing by."
38 He called out, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!"
39 Those who led the way rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!"
40 Jesus stopped and ordered the man to be brought to him. When he came near, Jesus asked him, 41 "What do you want me to do for you?"
"Lord, I want to see," he replied.
42 Jesus said to him, "Receive your sight; your faith has healed you." 43 Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus, praising God. When all the people saw it, they also praised God.
35 As Jesus approached Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging. 36 When he heard the crowd going by, he asked what was happening. 37 They told him, "Jesus of Nazareth is passing by."
38 He called out, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!"
39 Those who led the way rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!"
40 Jesus stopped and ordered the man to be brought to him. When he came near, Jesus asked him, 41 "What do you want me to do for you?"
"Lord, I want to see," he replied.
42 Jesus said to him, "Receive your sight; your faith has healed you." 43 Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus, praising God. When all the people saw it, they also praised God.
Reflection
The blind man's faith leaps out at me from these verses. He calls Jesus, the son of David - he has faith that he is the Messiah. He can't see where Jesus is, can't walk right up to him so he uses what he has, his voice. He makes a scene. The more people tell him to be quiet, the louder he shouts. He has an unabashed persistence that I, for one, can learn from.
He has an aching need. He longs for help, cries out for it and refuses to be discouraged or intimidated. He believes that though others do not care about him, Jesus might. When Jesus asks him what he can do for him, he is bold and direct. He knows what he wants, asks for it, receives it and then gladly follows Jesus. I love his wholeheartedness, his decision to throw himself onto Jesus' mercy and not to hold back. He puts himself and his needs before Jesus with no hesitation. He responds by following Jesus and so can go on to enjoy what Jesus wants for all of us: an up close and personal relationship full of love and trust that leads us into freedom and the fulness of life.
Jesus is on the road towards Jerusalem and crucifixion and yet when he hears the blind man's cry he immediately responds. In spite of all the noise around him, he hears him. He listens with a love that singles him out and he stops.
Thank you Lord, that you see us, you listen out for us and hear our cries. We want to grow in faith and to rely on you for our every need. Help us to trust you at this time of great anxiety, sadness and uncertainty and to pray knowing that you hear us. Amen
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