Readings
Jeremiah 31:7-9
Psalm 126
Hebrews 7:23-28
Mark 10:46-52
Devotion
Peace be with you!
Jesus is leaving Jericho for Jerusalem with his disciples, surrounded by a crowd. As he goes on his way, a blind man yells out to Jesus, begging for healing. The crowd gathered around Jesus attempts to silence him (Mark 10:46-47, 52). With a sense of urgency, the blind man yells out again, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me” (Mark 10:47b, 48b; NRSV).
How many times do we hush others when something more important – in our eyes – is going on? Maybe we just want the individual to wait for a more appropriate time. Parents will ask their children to be quiet when an adult is talking. The crowd senses Jesus is on an important mission as he leaves Jericho for Jerusalem. After Jesus’ three predictions of his crucifixion, the readers understand Jesus is heading to the cross to bring about the forgiveness of our sins. The needs of the blind man seem small in comparison. How often have you felt that your prayer concerns were so small in comparison with the needs of the world? How many times do you stop yourself from asking Jesus Christ for [whatever “it” is] that would make your life easier?
However, perhaps the blind man understands that this is his last chance to be healed by Jesus. He calls out to Jesus, desperate for his mercy and healing. Jesus stops and calls the blind man over to ask what he wants (Mark 10:49a, 51a). The blind man springs forward asking Jesus to allow him to see again (Mark 10:50, 51b). Jesus knows something the crowd does not know: the blind man will become a follower of Jesus and will become one of his disciples (Mark 10:52b).
Jesus answers the blind man’s request by simply saying, “Go; your faith had made you well.” (Mark 10:52a; NRSV). Upon regaining his sight, the man follows Jesus to Jerusalem (Mark 10:52b) where Jesus will die on the cross for our sins.
Jesus knows he is not just healing a blind man; he is calling a man to become one of his disciples. What seems like something minor to us can be something huge to the Triune God – God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. By healing the blind man, Jesus is bringing the man into the light and giving him the blessing of eternal life. The blind man knows what it is like to live in the darkness; he understands the dangers of the darkness; he knows the feeling of being alone.
When the blind man seeks the healing, he is not only asking for his sight back, but he is asking to live in the light in community with Jesus’ disciples. The blind man wants a relationship with God. Nothing is more important than bringing an individual into the light to be in a relationship with the Triune God and in community with other followers of Jesus Christ.
Thanks be to God!
Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for stopping to tend to the needs of the blind man, even as you were heading to the cross. Help us to ask for [whatever “it” is] that burns on our hearts and holds us back from sharing the good news. Remind us that no prayer request is too small or too insignificant for you to answer. Thank you for healing us of [whatever “it” is] that holds us back, so we can continue to share the good news. Amen.
Works Cited
Thanks to the Triune God – God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.
Reflective Questions
Please answer the following reflective questions in the comments below. Please agree to disagree and be respectful to each other. (If you have not already done so, please also take a moment, to sign the comment.) You can answer as many questions as you would like.
- What are the things you have trouble bringing to Jesus in prayer, worried that they are too insignificant? How could [whatever “it” is] help you further Jesus’ good news?
- How does Jesus continue to call you to share the good news?