Luke 18:35-43

As Jesus was approaching Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the road begging. Now hearing a crowd going by, he began to inquire what this was. They told him that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by. And he called out, saying, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Those who led the way were sternly telling him to be quiet; but he kept crying out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” And Jesus stopped and commanded that he be brought to Him; and when he came near, He questioned him, “What do you want Me to do for you?” And he said, “Lord, I want to regain my sight!” And Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight; your faith has made you well.” Immediately he regained his sight and began following Him, glorifying God; and when all the people saw it, they gave praise to God.^[1]

“Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” It is the most direct desperate prayer one can pray. For all of our articulation, the many words we craft to rationalize and legitimize our earnest pleas, when our backs are against the wall and we have no more words to say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me,” is the greatest cry we can utter. This nameless blind man seated by the side of road uttered this prayer and in doing so got the attention of Jesus.

Why is it that we do not know how to cry out to the Lord? Perhaps it is because we lack what Jesus affirmed had healed this man, faith. There is no telling how long this man had been blind or what he had tried and how long he had tried to change his situation. The odds were stacked against him. He was treated as a leper, castigated and marginalized for no other reason than that he was blind. When he heard, though he could not see, the commotion of Jesus’ passing the crowds tried to silence him. His faith, however, would allow him to remain silent. But the more they tried to silence him the louder he cried, and when he got Jesus’ attention he was prepared. He told Jesus exactly what he wanted. Jesus is passing by and just as He stood ready to respond to this man’s plea He stands ready to hear and answer our plea. Don’t allow Your very real circumstances to be obstacles to what Jesus desires to do for you. Keep crying because He is listening and ready to answer your prayer.

Gracious Father, we rejoice knowing You hear and answer prayer. Boldly we cry aloud before You bringing our petitions in faith. You alone can heal our soul’s diseases. Only You can turn our fortunes around. Only You can change the inevitable outcomes of our lives because of the messes we have made. Increase our faith so that those who have yet to believe will see that the things You do on our behalf are miraculous and that You can do the same for them. Amen.

^[1] New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (LaHabra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995), Lk 18:35–43.