Sharing the Sight!

As Jesus and his disciples were leaving Jericho, a large crowd followed him. Two blind men were sitting by the roadside, and when they heard that Jesus was going by, they shouted, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!”

The crowd rebuked them and told them to be quiet, but they shouted all the louder, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!” Jesus stopped and called them. “What do you want me to do for you?” he asked.“Lord,” they answered, “we want our sight.” Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and followed him. - Matthew 20:29-34

"Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound"....were the words we sang yesterday in worship. There is a sweet sound to realizing the special favor of God on our lives. He is a good God and grants His love and grace on us everyday. My devotion this morning came from, "Today in the Word" at www.todayintheword.com. It read:

Imagine a hospital filled with people who had been instantly and painlessly cured. As word has spread of the amazing wonders done in this place, it begins to overflow with patients who have received the healing they were hoping for, family and friends who rejoice in the miracles, and amazed onlookers who just want to be able to say they were there. It becomes so crowded that when genuinely sick people arrive asking for treatment, the celebrating crowds angrily demand that the sick leave immediately.

Today’s passage describes such a scenario precisely. Jesus had performed countless miracles to the awe of the people in cities, towns, and villages across Israel. He was being followed from town to town by large crowds who had grown fascinated with His teachings on the kingdom. Judging by their response to the pleas of mercy from the two blind men on the side of the road from Jericho, the people who were following Jesus (geographically speaking, at least) were distracted by grand thoughts of political triumph. The kingdom was coming, and they wanted be a part of it. The sick and lowly were not welcome.

Jesus saw things differently, and the blind men didn’t care what the crowds thought. They just cried out louder for Jesus to have mercy on them. Jesus made a point to ask them what they wanted. He didn’t need to ask; He knew they were blind. But amid the insensitive rebukes of the crowd, He gave the blind men a platform to make their request, a considerable gesture of honor and compassion.

At this point in Jesus’ ministry, He didn’t need to tell the people to go and spread the news of their healing. This miracle didn’t add to His renown. No, these recipients of Jesus’ grace and love had the liberty to follow Him as new additions to the growing throng of followers. They were no longer blind, and they were no longer outsiders.

It is true for us today as well. As Christ-followers, we are no longer blind to the lifeless death of the flesh and we are no longer outsiders to the love, grace, and future with Jesus!

You know I love ya, Don