A few months ago, my grandson, Isaac started to try to stand on his feet to walk. Nope….it just wasn’t happening! His younger cousin, Rhys had been walking for a month or two. So Isaac crawls with this cute lion gate, shaking his head back and forth, determined to get where he wants to go…..up on his feet again and down! “C’mon Isaac, get up you can do it!” I say, and up he would try to stand again! It’s funny as you watch a child learn to walk, they rarely get mad, they rarely feel disappointed, and they just keep trying…. and trying….. and trying again. Oh, if we were all that persistent in the things we know we need to do! In many ways we have become an “I want it now”, no waiting society, haven’t we? We give up way to easily!
Mark 10:48-52 (TNIV)
48 Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” 49 Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” So they called to the blind man, “Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you.” 50 Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus. 51 “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him. The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.” 52 “Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.
Prayer is often the same as a child learning to walk. It often takes persistence, perseverance and obedience!
Before we get started I need t share a side note: It is interesting to note there are no healings of the blind in the Old Testament. In fact, the Jews considered that such a miracle would be a sign of the Messiah.
Isaiah 29:18 (TNIV)
In that day the deaf will hear the words of the scroll, and out of gloom and darkness the eyes of the blind will see.Isaiah 35:5 (TNIV)
Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped.
Back to our blind friend…….he was persistent in overcoming barriers to contact Jesus. He just kept crying out and crying out calling on His name, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” This man was blind and couldn’t get to Jesus in the crowd. In fact, he was rebuked and told to be quiet by the crowd when he called out for mercy.
Has life not been working well for ya? Do you feel often like you must be cursed? Is everything going wrong? If you are a person of faith, or even more so, if you don’t have faith in Jesus……..are you the blind man? Are you blind in faith? When you cry out to Him, how often is the crowd saying, “fix your own problems! Jesus can’t help you! We can’t believe you even believe in this stuff!”
The key is to keep crying out to the One who CAN and DOES heal…..Jesus. He will hear your plea! He knows your desperate condition and perhaps, this is the final barrier between you and Him. Jesus wants to heal you; Jesus wants to be in your life and wants you in His!
This blind man obeyed immediately when he finally heard Jesus’ call. He obeyed and jumped to his feet! He left behind his only comfort and possession, his cloak….and went immediately to Jesus!
Be like the blind man, even if you only wear glasses. Recognize your need for Jesus healing in your life and a relationship with Him. Cry out so he can hear your voice and then cry out again. Don’t let anyone else keep you from reaching out to the One who can heal your life, for now and for eternity! When He calls……..go to Him!
My grandson Isaac not only walks now….he runs! My heart swells with love and pride when he comes into the room and runs with his arms outstretched and his eyes wide with anticipation to my arms. He knows that I am there and will always be there for him.
Run to Jesus……he is there and will always be there with open arms!