From Luke 18:35-43, we read about a blind beggar who receives his sight. “As Jesus approached Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging. When he heard the crowd going by, he asked what was happening. They told him, ‘Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.’ He called out, ‘Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!’ 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!’ Jesus stopped and ordered the man to be brought to him. When he came near, Jesus asked him, ‘What do you want me to do for you?’ ‘Lord, I want to see,’ he replied. Jesus said to him, ‘Receive your sight; your faith has healed you.’ Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus, praising God. When all the people saw it, they also praised God.”
There are many incidences in scripture where the people around the person in need discourage him or her from crying out to God. David, Job, Paul, and many others all heard the naysayers around them echoing the same sentiment, “Be quiet! God can’t deliver you! Who are you that God would even listen?”
In Luke 18 it is no different. A blind beggar is sitting by the road, and he hears the commotion of Jesus Christ. He hears the crowds calling out for Him. He knows something big is happening, and he asks, “What is going on?”
The people around him tell him “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by!”
To relate, it would probably be like a celebrity of today in a parade of sorts where many have gathered, maybe The President of the United States. You ask, “Who is that?” You are told, and you start shouting his name. Immediately, those around you laugh at you. They tell you to hush! What a fool you are to think he would stop for you!
But Jesus is different. He hears the man despite the noise around Him. He orders the disciples to bring the man to Him, and He questions the man as to what He can do for him.
I’ve heard many cries from the altar at the church I serve. I’ve heard many cries from hospital rooms, at graveside, in prison cells, at bank foreclosures; the one assurance I know, that I know, that I know, is Jesus Christ of Nazareth never just passes by. He stops and asks, “Yes? What can I do for you?”
His answer is simple. It is not by His choosing to give the blind man sight. He didn’t say, “Let me consider your plight and get back to you.” Instead, He tells the man “receive your sight.” I don’t believe He was referring to vision; He was talking about a life of following Him, of knowing Him, an eye-opening experience on the path of eternal life. The blind man’s vision is restored by His faith because He cried out to Him despite the ones around Him.
I do not know why some people are healed here on earth and others healed in Heaven. I do not know why some people receive a financial miracle and others receive the restoration later. But I do know that the needs you have are always heard by our King. He doesn’t keep walking by but instead, calls us to the throne of His grace.
Hold tightly to this truth and never doubt the ability of God to restore your sight.
