New Message

Luke 18:35-43 (NLT) Jesus Heals a Blind Beggar

As Jesus approached Jericho, a blind beggar was sitting beside the road. When he heard the noise of a crowd going past, he asked what was happening. They told him that Jesus of Nazareth was going by. So he began shouting, "JESUS, Son of David, have mercy on me!"

"Be quiet!" the people in front yelled at him. But he only shouted louder, "Son of David, have mercy on me!"

When Jesus heard him, He stopped and ordered that the man be brought to him. As the man cam near, Jesus asked him, "What do you want me to do for you?" "Lord," he said, "I want to see!" And Jesus said, "All right, receive your sight! Your faith has healed you."

Instantly the man could see, and he followed Jesus, praising God. And all who saw praised God too.

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As I read this passage, I cannot help but wonder at the faith of this blind beggar. He was sitting, by himself most likely, and had the faith to call out to Jesus when he heard of His imminent presence. Even when the others told him to keep quiet, he continued to shout for Jesus to hear him. How many times in life do we stress about the economy, work, and life in general only to forget that all we need is our faith? Do we have the faith to call out to Jesus, like this blind man, for our needs even in the heat of battle on a daily basis?

I want to encourage you today to keep calling out for Jesus even if others are telling you to keep quiet. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. What do you need to call out to Him about today? It may not be to heal your blindness but could it be that you just want to cry out to Him to have mercy on you for another area in your life.

I believe that God wants us, as believers, to reach out to those who may be suffering around us in the field. How many calls have you been on recently where there was someone similar to the blind beggar but he was not calling out to Jesus, he was cursing Him? As you shag your calls each day, or night, be on the lookout for people like this to whom you can display the compassion of Jesus. You may be the only Jesus they ever encounter and it could change their eternity.