Thoughts for the Day

As he approached Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging. When he heard a crowd going by, he asked what was happening. They told him, ‘Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.’ Then he shouted, ‘Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!’ Those who were in front sternly ordered him to be quiet; but he shouted even more loudly, ‘Son of David, have mercy on me!’ Jesus stood still and ordered the man to be brought to him; and when he came near, he asked him, ‘What do you want me to do for you?’ He said, ‘Lord, let me see again.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Receive your sight; your faith has saved you.’ Immediately he regained his sight and followed him, glorifying God; and all the people, when they saw it, praised God.

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

Luke's account of this miracle has much to teach us. Have you ever felt helpless and unable to get help - perhaps your mobile phone can't get a signal; or you're knocking on a door and no-one seems to be in; or urgently needing more tablets you ring the doctor but no one answers; or you want to return something ordered online and there is no address to send it back; or you need a dental appointment but none is to be found. Recognise these scenarios, or something similar?

This is what happens to the blind man. He has put himself by a busy road where he might help, and when he hears that Jesus is about to pass by he shouts for help, and then again he shouts even louder. The word for this 'shout' is much stronger, meaning a scream of anguish, 'almost an animal cry'. The blind man will be heard, he will put his request to Jesus, who, we should note, immediately stops to respond to the man's cry for help.

Whenever we need help it's no good having a whimsical wish that things will happen, because it probably won't. Our cry for help must be a cry from the centre of our being - an emotional outburst - and God will respond. Of course His answer may not be what we expect, but He will answer. Just as Jesus stops his journey back to Jerusalem for Passover to attend to the plea for help from the blind men, so God will attend to such a cry from us.

Heavenly Father,
we come to You this day
with all kind of needs
for ourselves and for others,
all of which you know,
but primarily our hearts scream
in anguish for ..................................
Hear our prayer we cry,
and answer us;
Amen.