Luke 18:35-42; As Jesus approached Jericho, a blind beggar was sitting beside the road. When he heard the noise of a crowd going past, he asked what was happening. They told him that Jesus the Nazarene was going by. So he began shouting, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” “Be quiet!” the people in front yelled at him. But he only shouted louder, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” 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.
He could have been born blind or lost his sight in some accident, regardless of how or when it happened, we know he was blind and begging, which means he was dependent on begging as his income. He could have taken this opportunity to make some real money because of the huge crowd, but when he found out who was passing by, he could not be quieted. He yelled loudly. You’d have to yell pretty loud to be heard over a crowd like that, but none the less, he yelled until he got the attention he desired. He knew this was his opportunity, his moment and he wasn’t going to shut up until he was heard. You’ve heard the expression, ‘the squeaky wheel gets the grease’, well in this instance it was ‘he who yells loudest is heard’.
I believe that what really got the attention of Jesus was his desperate faith. This was a man who had never heard Jesus speak, but rather had heard of him. This was a man who sat waiting, praying and hoping that Jesus would someday pass by. He had no means of transportation. He was stuck by the same tree, relying on others to assist him, to merely eek out an existence. But when he heard that it was Jesus, he got so excited because he knew his days of begging were over. He knew, like the woman with the issue of blood, if I can only get his attention, I will be healed.
Do you know that Jesus is just the same today as he was back then? He’s waiting for desperate people to cry out, “Jesus, have mercy on me. I can’t do this alone! I can’t see! I can’t hear! I want you! I’m in need of you!” Whatever it is you are facing today, call out to Jesus and don’t stop until you get his attention. Psalm 50:15 says, “Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me.”
Jesus, son of David, have mercy on me! I can’t make it one more day without you fixing this. I can’t do it on my own! I can’t do anything on my own. If you don’t step in, the things I face will never change. Only your hand can provide. Only you can make things right. Only you can heal me. Only you can deliver me.
Then Jesus asked, “What is it you want me to do for you?” I answered, “Lord, I just want to see you.” Then my eyes were opened and I’ve never been the same.
remnantposts by sandy gregory 