Focus Scripture: Luke 18:40-43 (NLT)
When Jesus heard him, he stopped and ordered that the man be brought to him. As the man came near, Jesus asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?” “Lord,” he said, “I want to see!” And Jesus said, “All right, receive your sight! Your faith has healed you.” Instantly the man could see, and he followed Jesus, praising God. And all who saw it praised God, too.
In Luke’s story, Jesus is traveling from Galilee to Jericho, a city not too far from Jerusalem. Along the way, a blind beggar sits by the roadside. Because he is blind, he cannot earn a living and must beg. Poor, disabled, and needy, he is a member of the lowest class in the society of his day. As he sits there, the blind man hears the crowd’s roar grow louder and more fervent. Curious about the commotion, he asks what is happening. The crowd tells him that Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.
Although the man is blind and must rely on the crowd to interpret the scene for him, he doesn’t need to ask who Jesus is. He has probably heard many rumors about this man from Galilee. Jesus’ reputation has preceded him. Jesus is known for healing the sick, casting out demons, feeding the hungry, making the lame walk, and giving sight to the blind. This Jesus is a healer; that bit of knowledge is all the blind man needs to spring into action.
He began to call out loudly. “Jesus, son of David, have mercy on me!” When the crowd tried to silence him, he shouted all the more: “Mercy,” he cried. Jesus, hearing the man’s cry, approached. He stopped and told his followers to “call him over,” asking them to bring the man to him. There was a brief exchange between them: Jesus asked, “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man replied, “Lord, I just want to see.”
The blind man had faith. He believed that Jesus could heal him, free him from his wretchedness, and relieve his distress. With new sight, the blind man could have new life and new possibilities. So, the blind man persisted, and his persistence paid off. Jesus simply spoke the words:
“Receive your sight,” Jesus said. “Your faith has healed you.” The text tells us that after the healing, the blind man followed Jesus and became one of Jesus’ disciples.
After regaining his sight and traveling with Jesus for a while, I wonder whether the man could perceive the world with greater compassion. I wonder whether he could view reality through the lens of justice. I wonder whether he could look at his neighbors through the lens of love. I wonder.
Prayer
Gracious God, I thank you for new vision. Help me put my faith into action as I live, move, and breathe by your grace. Grant me strength and courage to stand up for you in this fickle world. In your Holy Name I pray. Amen.
From Reflective Renewal: Grace at the Crossroads
