Ponderings
May 23, 2012
Luke 18:35-43
A Blind Beggar Receives His Sight
35 As Jesus approached Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging. 36 When he heard the crowd going by, he asked what was happening. 37 They told him, "Jesus of Nazareth is passing by."
38 He called out, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!"
39 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!"
40 Jesus stopped and ordered the man to be brought to him. When he came near, Jesus asked him, 41 "What do you want me to do for you?"
"Lord, I want to see," he replied.
42 Jesus said to him, "Receive your sight; your faith has healed you." 43Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus, praising God. When all the people saw it, they also praised God.
There are several accounts of Jesus healing a blind man; in Matthew (chapter 20), Mark (chapters 8 and 10), John (chapter 9), and here in Luke. In Mark 10 the blind man is named Bartimaeus.
Here in Luke's version we might focus on the words, Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus! To put it simply - when one sees clearly, when one sees wisely, then one can't help but follow this Jesus. I'm by no means denigrating other religious traditions, but I do believe that in Jesus of Nazareth we have the person God intends us to follow and the message God intends us to hear.
Where else do we find one who guides us so faithfully to the will and intent of God?
Where else do we find one who calls us to a life which will change us forever?
Where else do we find one whose way of treating people invites
us to new way of living and relating?
Where else do we find one whose moral integrity compels us beyond moral complacency?
Where else do we find one whose absolute trust amidst life's storms
empowers us to faith and courage?
Where else do we find one whose joy about life winsomely heightens our joy?
In Mark 8 the penetrating question Jesus asks is Do you see anything? From a preacher's perspective the key insight there is whether once following Jesus we really do see things differently?
Do you see things the way God sees them?
Do you see the things only people of wonder and awe see?
Do you see the hurts and needs Jesus as saw them?
Do you see the opportunities for service for making this world a better place?
Do you see people in the light of God's love?
One could go on and on with insights these varied scenarios bring us but here are some starting thoughts by which we each can hopefully grow in Christ!
