Have faith like the blind man
Luke 18:35-43
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.’43 Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus, praising God. When all the people saw it, they also praised God.
“Your faith has healed you” (vs 42) has appeared in many stories of Luke and reading it in this story has made me think about my faith and dependence on how powerful God is.
In this story there is a blind man sitting on the side of the road. He does not have a good life to say the least. Weirdly this man who would be considered the lowest of the lows is the person in this story who shows the most hope and faith, which to me is astonishing.
This man who cannot even see Jesus calls out to him with the hope that he will answer, not even knowing if he will answer. Being rebuked by the crowd that have probably rebuked him for his whole life this man rather than giving up he calls louder, having faith in Jesus.
This man believes in the generosity and kindness of Jesus and because of this faith he is healed not only physically but spiritually.
For me this attitude of blind faith is something I have been toying with for a while. Having nothing but faith, calling out in the unknown to only get rebuked. Although I don’t live a life as uncomfortable as this blind man lives and although not being physically blind, I am able to understand the concept of blind faith. For the past months that I have been out of school I have been struggling to grasp the concept of how great God is and that he has my life in his hands. Constantly thinking about my career, relationship and milestones as I become a somewhat independent adult, I can become so fixated and overly excited about my life here on earth that my perspective for my life and my faith in God becomes secondary in the grand scheme of things.
It’s so easy to want to be in control and plan for my future and what is to come in this life on earth, but the reality is that God has a plan for me. The struggle of not knowing scares me but reading this story and looking at this blind man’s posture of faith, it reminds me that I should also blindly have faith towards the future for it is in God’s hands.
I hope that as Christians we have the same hope as the blind man, that we know we can call out to God constantly and that we would listen to him carefully and humbly. Even if when rebuked for the faith we have and the way we live for God I pray that we have as much strength and courage as the blind man displayed even through his pain.
Head: Reflecting on the passage and thinking about the reaction of the crowd rebuking the blind man why do you think that was their reaction towards him calling out to Jesus?
Heart: Are you letting yourself blindly follow God with as much hope as the blind man?
Hands: What are practical habits that you can implement that will help you have the same faithful posture to God in your life?
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for being such a loving God. I pray that I will have faith in your plan and constantly listen to what you have planned for me.
In Jesus Name Amen
A song to listen to: Unknown
Maria-Grace Iles – Living church Creek road
