As Jesus approached Jericho a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging, and hearing a crowd going by, he inquired what was happening. They told him,
“Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.”
He shouted, “Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me!”
The people walking in front rebuked him, telling him to be silent, but he kept calling out all the more,
“Son of David, have pity on me!”
Then Jesus stopped and ordered that he be brought to him; and when he came near, Jesus asked him,
“What do you want me to do for you?”
He replied, “Lord, please let me see.”
Jesus told him, Have sight; your faith has saved you.”
He immediately received his sight and followed him, giving glory to God.
My first thought when I read this was; here is a huge crowd but Jesus hears the voice of the blind man and moves towards him. It says something about what Jesus is attentive to and what we are called to be attentive to. If I am trying to follow the example of Christ, the question is; what constitutes the “crowd” in my life that is drowning out the things I should be attentive to? Is it the demands of my work? Is it obsession to learn something new? Is it shuffling and organisng finances?
ReplyDeleteAnd then it dawned on me…If you are not focussed on Christ, you become the blind man… What Christ does for you is he allows you to see.
Jesus: “What do you want me to do for you?”
Blind man: “Lord, please let me see.”
If you know Christ you see. If you don’t know Christ, you don’t see…
Your response to Luke 18:35-43 offers a compelling interpretation of the parable of the blind man and its relevance to our spiritual lives. The contrast between the crowd and the blind man highlights the importance of attentiveness to the divine presence amidst the distractions of daily life.
ReplyDeleteThe crowd's indifference to the blind man's cries for help symbolizes the distractions and preoccupations that can drown out our inner voice and obscure our connection with God. Just as the crowd failed to notice the blind man's plight, we can become so engrossed in our daily routines and concerns that we fail to perceive the subtle guidance and presence of God in our lives.
The blind man's persistence and direct appeal to Jesus represent our need to seek a deeper understanding and connection with God. His plea, "Lord, please let me see," signifies our desire for spiritual enlightenment and the ability to discern the true meaning and purpose of our existence.
Jesus' response, "What do you want me to do for you?" invites us to reflect on our own needs and aspirations. What do we truly seek in life? Are we seeking material possessions, worldly recognition, or something more profound and enduring?
The blind man's simple request for sight symbolizes our desire for spiritual clarity and the ability to perceive the world through the lens of divine love and understanding. When we align ourselves with God's will and seek His guidance, we gain a deeper perspective on life, enabling us to see beyond the limitations of our ego-driven desires.
Your observation that "If you know Christ, you see. If you don't know Christ, you don't see…" captures the essence of the parable. In a world filled with distractions and conflicting messages, cultivating a relationship with Christ provides a beacon of light, allowing us to navigate life with wisdom, compassion, and a clear vision for our spiritual journey.