Luke 18:35-43 NRSVue
35As he approached Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging. 36When he heard a crowd going by, he asked what was happening. 37They told him, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.” 38Then he shouted, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” 39Those who were in front sternly ordered him to be quiet, but he shouted even more loudly, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” 40Jesus stood still and ordered the man to be brought to him, and when he came near, he asked him, 41“What do you want me to do for you?” He said, “Lord, let me see again.” 42Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight; your faith has saved you.” 43Immediately he regained his sight and followed him, glorifying God, and all the people, when they saw it, praised God.
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Some thoughts on this scripture
Reflection
Can I imagine I am present at this scene - in the scene? Who do I identify
with?
Reflection
Am I the blind person crying for help? Am I one of the interested bystanders
irritated by the cries of the poor man? Am I one of Jesus' followers?
Reflection
How does what transpires here move and challenge me?
Reflection
Jesus does not cure unbidden. He waits to be asked. What may seem from the
outside as a desperate need (i.e. for sight) could for the sightless be such
a habitual state that they could not imagine themselves otherwise. So Jesus
checks out: /What do you want me to do for you?/
Reflection
Lord, there is a sort of sight I ask from you: to use my eyes fully, to
relish every nuance of colour that surrounds me, to pick up the life and
feeling in others' faces and bodies, to appreciate and be open to the
glorious world of vision which I would miss if I was like this blind man.
Reflection
Wouldn't it be great to get really excited like the blind man because Jesus
is near? He kept shouting a welcome and a request to Jesus. In his blindness
he recognised Jesus, whom others with sight missed. We can recognise Jesus
when we know we need him; when we know there is something he can give to our
lives which nobody else can give. Maybe it's a security from a faith in
belonging to him, or the mercy we know we need, or the assurance of God's
love now and forever. Ask for this in prayer, and if you don't know what to
ask for, just simply say, ‘Lord give me in my life what I most need.'