Luke 18:35-43 (NLT)

Jesus Heals a Blind Beggar
35 As Jesus approached Jericho, a blind beggar was sitting beside the road. 36 When he heard the noise of a crowd going past, he asked what was happening. 37 They told him that Jesus the Nazarene was going by. 38 So he began shouting, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

39 “Be quiet!” the people in front yelled at him.

But he only shouted louder, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”

40 When Jesus heard him, he stopped and ordered that the man be brought to him. As the man came near, Jesus asked him, 41 “What do you want me to do for you?”

“Lord,” he said, “I want to see!”

42 And Jesus said, “All right, receive your sight! Your faith has healed you.” 43 Instantly the man could see, and he followed Jesus, praising God. And all who saw it praised God, too.

Perhaps the Christmas season should make us more aware, but often we can become a bit numb to the needs around us. Every day, we walk past people with needs — needs we have the ability to meet. Whether the single mom struggling to provide for her children or the college student with no family in town, we sometimes hear cries for help and dismiss them for more pressing matters. 

Jesus arrived at Jericho with a large following. Over the noise and energy of the crowd, Jesus heard a blind man call out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” (Luke 18:38). The crowd attempted to quiet him, but he yelled out again. Jesus stopped in his tracks. 

This man’s situation couldn’t get much worse. Unable to see, he was unable to work. Unable to work, he was forced to beg to survive. Hearing Jesus pass by, the blind man put aside propriety and dared to take a risk. 

So many others had passed this man day after day. But the Creator of the universe heard and saw the blind beggar. Jesus gave the man what he needed. 

Jesus came to earth so everyone — from beggar to billionaire — could have a relationship with their Creator. Reaching everyone starts by hearing seeing and meeting the needs of one. Are you listening? 

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