Never Give up
Good Morning Friends,
Yesterday we were reading the daily lectionary passage with millions of others around the world who were contemplating its meaning and message. So today I follow it up with another story in scripture about blind men receiving sight. It is also a story about how Jesus carried out His mission, how He invested His time and focus… how He opens our eyes to His ways. Appreciate that the setting is on the road to Jerusalem…but on the way out of town not on the way in. Jesus is in the final week of His ministry. Observe the crowds and how they love Him because they believe He will soon deliver them from the yoke of the Romans. Understand that these same crowds will soon be crying, “Crucify him,”… that soon Jesus would be betrayed, arrested, beaten and killed. As you look into the story notice how Jesus, the crowd and the blind man react. Distinguish the pace of people’s responses and timing. Notice that Jesus slowed down when He heard the cry of humility. See with Jesus the big picture, an investment in something eternal. Perceive how He puts service before self. Witness that it was compassion that prompted His investment in others. Focus on the fact that Jesus provides a response to the blind man’s requests that very instant. See that the rewards for the blind man are not bestowed by Jesus because the blind man was good, but because he wanted to be with the One who is. Get the message that the rewards are not found in how much honor is received but in how much honor is given. Discover that Jesus is not focused on meeting our agenda and building our kingdom but wants us to trust completely in Him… Jesus wants us to Never Give up.
Scripture: They came to Jericho. As he and his disciples and a large crowd were leaving Jericho, Bartimaeus son of Timaeus, a blind beggar, was sitting by the roadside. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Many sternly ordered him to be quiet, but he cried out even more loudly, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” Jesus stood still and said, “Call him here.” And they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take heart; get up, he is calling you.” So throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus. Then Jesus said to him, “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man said to him, “My teacher, let me see again.” Jesus said to him, “Go; your faith has made you well.” Immediately he regained his sight and followed him on the way.
Mark 10:46-52 (NRSV)
Happy are those whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD their God, who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them; who keeps faith forever; who executes justice for the oppressed; who gives food to the hungry. The LORD sets the prisoners free; the LORD opens the eyes of the blind. The LORD lifts up those who are bowed down; the LORD loves the righteous. The LORD watches over the strangers; he upholds the orphan and the widow, but the way of the wicked he brings to ruin. The LORD will reign forever, your God, O Zion, for all generations. Praise the LORD!
Psalm 146:5-10 (NRSV)
Message: Today’s message is for those who are discouraged and thinking of giving up. The message is simple. God is bigger than the problem. And God wants to open our eyes to the truth of Jesus… God want us to gain spiritual sight so we can follow in kingdom service. Here we learn that we cannot listen to the naysayers. We have to do our part with faith. Here we learn that God is big enough to solve big problems and will help us with ours.
Helen Keller once said that, “What a blind person needs is not a teacher but another self.” This is so true for us in facing our challenges. Helen Keller also said that, “Walking with a friend in the dark is better than walking alone in the light.” She realized in her blindness some important truths about Jesus. She realized that, “In the knowledge of a friend is love and light and vision.” Friends we are so blind in our sins but when we walk with Jesus we are never in the dark. Friends, we need the love of Jesus not as a teacher alone, but as another self bringing us vision. So today we learn from a blind man who discovered that with Jesus he could see. Today we learn that God’s love can remove even the worst of stain on our soul. Friends, here in relationship and fellowship with Jesus we experience a love and life that keeps us from giving up.
Pray we experience what it is to have faith. Pray we understand the difference between observation and participation. Pray in life we do not just survive but thrive. Pray we see like Bartimaeus that Jesus is the Christ. Pray we see like Bartimaeus that Jesus is our only chance. Pray we see like Bartimaeus that our actions will make us like fools in the eyes of the world. Pray we see like Bartimaeus that there is no turning back. Pray we see like Bartimaeus our obvious need for Christ. Pray we see like Bartimaeus that we were born to bless not beg. Pray we open the eyes of our hearts and see.
Pray the walls come down.
Pray we have vision born out of fellowship.
Blessings,
John Lawson
Daily Devotionals 