Up Front and Open (October 25, 2015 Bulletin Article)

 

"As Jesus approached Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging. When he heard the crowd going by, he asked what was happening. They told him, 'Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.'

 

He called out, 'Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!'

 

Jesus Stopped and ordered the man to be brought to him. When he came near, Jesus asked him, 'What do you want me to do for you?'

 

'Lord, I want to see,' he replied.

 

Jesus said to him, 'Receive your sight; your faith has healed you.' Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus, praising God.

 

When all the people say it, they also praised God." (Luke 18:35-43)

 

Please read the account of the blind man of Jericho recorded above (Mark tells us his name was Bartimaeus.) This story encourages us to make our lives and our needs an "open book." This blind man was facing a rare, if not unique, opportunity when Jesus passed his way one day, and once he learned what was happening, he shouted so much that some of those present were irritated and rebuked him. In the same way, some will likely be irritated with us if we decide to confess with honesty and openness, about our needs too.

But Jesus rewarded this man's openness, for Jesus wanted to encourage everyone to openly confess their needs. In that way, when everyone has been made aware, everyone can join us, just like in this account, as we praise God when he has answered our appeals!

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