“As Jesus approached Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging. When he heard the crowd going by, he asked what was happening. They told him, ‘Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.’ He called out, ‘Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!’ 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!’
“Jesus stopped and ordered the man be brought to him. When he came near, Jesus asked, ‘What do you want me to do for you?’ ‘Lord, I want to see,’ he replied.
“Jesus said to him, ‘Receive your sight; your faith has healed you.’ Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus, praising God. When all the people saw it, they also praised God.” Luke 18:35-43 (Mark 10:46-52)
The blind man had other sharp senses. When he heard the passing crowd, he knew something was abuzz, and discovered it was Jesus. This was the miracle worker he’d heard about. This was the compassionate teacher, the one who did not shy away from invalids and sinners. Bartemaeus was desperate for mercy. With all his resolve, from his seat at the roadside, he cried out. He cried out to Jesus, son of David, the identity he understood. He cried out to Jesus, whose stories of undeserved mercy were now famous. This Jesus was his only hope.
Dulled by sin, we are graciously given the sense that something is wrong. Without Christ, we are beggars all, spiritually blind and helpless at true life’s roadside. Unable to know Him on our own, we know what we want, and that we desperately need. When we sense His approach and bringing us near, we can cry expectantly for mercy, which opens the way for more specific asking. Only His presence, His word, His healing touch, deliver us from our hopeless state, and free us to follow and worship and serve.
In any infirmity of circumstance or soul, have I given in to complacency in weakness, or depression due to the seemingly impossible? Have I resigned myself to hopeless begging from everything and anyone that cannot heal? Perhaps I exhaust myself exerting mustered-up efforts at making it, or depend on my self-crafted way out or betterment?
Would I instead listen for Jesus, and try to perceive His attention? Would I look beyond the palpable and present to Him who is good and does all things well? Recognizing my own helplessness and need for mercy is key to true and full healing. How willing am I to communicate my impotence and need for what He alone can do and give? (Psalm 119:68)
“Long my imprisoned spirit lay
Fast bound in sin and nature’s night;
Thine eye diffused a quick’ning ray,
I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;
My chains fell off, my heart was free;
I rose, went forth and followed Thee.” ~Charles Wesley (1738)
From what has God specifically delivered or healed me, and how am I praising Him for the mercy applied?
“Amazing grace, how sweet the sound,
that saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found,
was blind, but now I see.” ~John Newton (1779)
Lord, meet my every desperation with Your sufficiency and power, to your praise.
As the rain and snow 