November 20, 2022
Gospel – November 18, 2019 – Luke 18:35-43
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.
When they saw this, all the people gave praise to God.
In my ministry I have dealt with many different fractured families. Many different fractures. But they are all calling out.
Imagine a woman and son. She believes he’s a lost cause because he doesn’t respond in the way she’d like for him to respond. So she just tries to make it unnoticeable. She is hurt. He on the other hand becomes more and more unruly. Just wanting to be seen and heard by one he loves.
How many people have we known, or know, who are sitting on the side of the road crying out “have pity on me”? How many do we know who’ve given up and sit silent?
The son is a blind beggar on the side of the road crying out, “Jesus, son of David, have pity on me.”
It’s hard to ask for help – to cry out and let everyone know our hurts. Especially when we’ve been rejected time after time.
When we’re told time and again to be quiet we tend to lose hope and sight of Jesus passing by. We ask for help from the wrong one.
Jesus helps those who ask. Notice he asks the beggar,
“What do you want me to do for you?” And the beggar says to let him see. And Jesus says his faith has healed him and he could see.
What of our beggars? What of us as beggars? Do we sit silent? Or do we shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me”? Are we the widow with the corrupt judge?
Once again, from our depths, Jesus is there, ready to reach in and pull us out.
We just have to ask.
At least that’s what I heard Him say…
What I Heard Him Say 