“35 As Jesus approached Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging. 36 When he heard the crowd going by, he asked what was happening. 37 They told him, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.” 38 He called out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” 39 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!” 40 Jesus stopped and ordered the man to be brought to him. When he came near, Jesus asked him, 41 “What do you want me to do for you?” “Lord, I want to see,” he replied. 42 Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight; your faith has healed you.” 43 Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus, praising God. When all the people saw it, they also praised God.” Luke 18.35-43
Lesson Number One: When we call out to God, He stops and listens.
The beggar got the attention of Jesus because of his desperation. The people around him told him, “Be quiet! Stop shouting! He’s far too important to deal with a meager beggar like you!” But the man shouted all the more.
What did he shout? “Son of David, have mercy on me!” Jesus is drawn to the hurting. In fact, He cares for anyone who will call upon His name. That was true then, and it is true now. Jesus died, but He rose again—and He is now all ears to everyone who calls upon His name.
The beggar was in a desperate situation. He was poor, blind, and homeless. He could not see the crowd, but he could hear them. He heard their rebuke and responded by calling out even louder, twice: “Son of David, have mercy on me!” And Jesus did what He does best—He restores life. He stopped, had the man brought to Him, asked what he wanted, and said, “Receive your sight; your faith has healed you.” Without hesitation, the man regained his sight. He began following Jesus, praising God. When all the people saw what had happened, they too praised God.
This is what God does. He heals. He restores. He listens to the brokenhearted. He attends to those who are blind, sick, sad, anxious, depressed, or hurting in any way. Jesus brings physical, emotional, and mental healing so that the soul might be healed.
It is His money-back guarantee: “All who call upon the name of the Lord will be saved.” And by “saved,” I mean made whole in every aspect. When I first experienced Christ’s salvation at camp at age 17—forty years ago—I thought it was too good to be true. I had found what I was looking for: a God and a friend. All these years later, He has never let me down.
Christ is awaiting your call. Will you shout out to Him, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”? If you call, He will respond.
“O Lord God, thank You for providing for me in every sense possible. Thank You for loving me, for caring for me, and for the power to be made whole. I love You, Lord, and exalt Your name. I know that You are a good and loving God. Come now, Holy Spirit. Find me ready and willing. Meet with Your people and be ‘too good to be true’ for each of us. For You are good, and Your love endures forever.” Amen.