“When they saw this, all the people gave praise to God.” (Luke 18:43)
Have you ever used a story in Scripture as a model for your own prayer? It’s an age-old method that can help us experience the Lord here and now. Today’s Gospel story gives us a perfect opportunity to try this out.
The blind man sits by the roadside begging. Aren’t we like that sometimes, quietly resigned to some hardship, infirmity, or pattern of sin—unable to think that God has more in store for us? But when the blind man hears that Jesus is passing by, something changes in him, and he immediately cries out for mercy. All his rational thinking about accepting his lot vanishes as Jesus draws near. We too have heard about Jesus; we may have even experienced his love and power in our lives at different points. And now we feel that we can cry out to him again, no matter what we’re struggling with!
The blind man meets resistance as others tell him to be quiet, but he continues calling for Jesus. We too can continue to seek the Lord, even if we feel discouraged, even if other people are telling us it’s hopeless. Jesus has the blind man brought to himself. Our own efforts take us only so far. At some point, we have to let his grace and power draw us to him. Jesus asks what the blind man wants, and he answers from the depths of his heart. We can speak to God from our hearts, laying our needs and desires before him as well. We have the promise of his love, the assurance that he knows our needs and wants to help us in the best way possible.
After he is healed, the man follows Jesus, glorifying God. When we are touched by Jesus, it makes us want to leave all else behind and follow him too. We are filled with gratitude and want to glorify him with our lives. And just as those who saw what happened to the blind man gave praise to God, so our transformed lives can draw other people to Jesus as well. We can all become evangelists, demonstrating the power, love, and glory of God!
“Lord, help me to walk through your word and draw closer to you! Let me see how I am one with all those who have experienced your touch in their lives!”
Revelation 1:1-4; 2:1-5; Psalm 1:1-4, 6