"As Jesus and the disciples left the town of Jericho, a large crowd followed behind. Two blind men were sitting beside the road. When they heard that Jesus was coming that way, they began shouting, "Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!"
"Be quiet!" the crowd yelled at them.
But they only shouted louder, "Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!"
When Jesus heard them, he stopped and called, "What do you want me to do for you?"
"Lord," they said, "We want to see!" Jesus felt sorry for them and touched their eyes.
Instantly, they could see! Then they followed him. Matthew 20:29-34
The crowd was large. They seemed to follow His every move. No doubt, it was standing room only. Those in the crowd jockeyed for postion - constantly pressing, pulling, and elbowing their way in closer and closer to this man called Jesus. Many in the crowd wanted to see for themselves this renowned prophet. Others were seeking to be cured of some ailment. Others were simply curious, wanting to see the side-show, this magician they'd heard about. But did the crowd really know who they had come to see? Did they truly get it? Despite their blindness, there were two who knew Who was walking among them. Yet these two were not a part of the crowd. They were ignored. They were blind. They were poor. They'd been pushed away.
"Son of David!" They shouted. "Have mercy on us!" They knew Who He was. They knew only He could heal them. But the crowd tried to shut them up. "Quiet! Know your place, you have no right to speak!" But the more the crowd tried to silence them, he louder the blind men became. There was an urgency to these blind beggars' request. They knew more than anyone the gravity of the situation. They realized this was the opportunity of a lifetime...no an opportunity for eternity! So they shouted even louder than before, "Son of David!" They pleaded. "Have mercy on us!" They only had this one chance and they weren't going to give up.
Suddenly, Jesus stopped. He heard them. Turning to them he asked, "What do you want me to do for you?" Out of the whole crowd that surrounded Jesus, He had heard THEM! Giving them His full attention, He waited for their response.
Their hearts were pounding with anticipation. Their request was simple, "Lord, we want to see!" It was their plea. Jesus felt sorry for them. He reached out His hand, touching their eyes. Jesus' hands, yes, the very hands that were days later nailed to the cross, gently touched these men. Instantly, both men were able to see! Jesus paused, in the midst of the crowd, in the deluge of demands and requests, and responded to two blind beggars. Surely there were those of earthly importance who were far more deserving of such attention. Yet it was these two paupers who captured the attention and the heart of Christ. And as a result, out of the enormous crowd surrounding Jesus, it was these two blind men who ended up following Him as a result.
Two lives were changed forever that day.
Jesus was on His way to Jerusalem when He stopped to heal these two men. Jesus knew what lay ahead for Him, yet He paused to demonstrate love and compassion for two people who were considered 'the least of these.' Though blind, these two beggars saw Truth where others of importance were spiritually blind. Their response to the compassion and love shown them was to follow Christ.
Jesus' compassion is evidenced time and again in the New Testament. Christ's compassion and love for us was perfectly displayed upon the cross - He gave His very life to pay the price for our sins so that we who are in Christ would be saved from eternal damnation. That's how much love and compassion He has for us.
What do you want Christ to do for you? Have you cried out to Him with your request in full faith and confidence in Him as the "Son of David?" Do you know Him as Lord and Savior? If so, are you living out what you say you believe?
Open your eyes and your heart.
See Him for Who He really is - the LIVING Son of God, our Lord and Savior.
Respond to Him in your life.
Follow Him!
In His Love, Cathy
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