“Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” (Luke 18:38).
These are the words of a blind beggar sitting by the side of the road right after he is told that Jesus of Nazareth is passing by. Immediately, without any hesitation, he cries out only to be rebuked by those in front, nearest to Jesus, who, in their annoyance, told him to be silent. Refusing, he screams, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” even louder than before. Hearing him, Jesus stops, commands that the beggar be brought before him, and asks the blind man what he wants to be done for him. He answers, “Lord, let me recover my sight.” And Jesus’ simple response? It is: “Recover your sight; your faith has made you well.” And the man followed Jesus and glorified God (Luke 18:35–43).
There are many things to note in this short story, but perhaps it is most fruitful to consider it from different points of view by putting ourselves in each person’s shoes.
First, and most obviously, consider the blind beggar. Who or what do we turn to when we need help in our everyday lives? Who or what do we trust to fix our problems, heal our bodies, restore our relationships, or do any of the myriad things that we need for our daily lives? Note that the beggar is not being metaphysical here—he’s being very concrete. He is asking for sight, nothing more. Does he need more than physical sight? Of course. He needs the forgiveness of sins and to live in the Kingdom of God. But it is in the reception of physical sight, a physical blessing, that he perceives his even greater need for God as he now follows Jesus, glorifying God for what He has done.
Second, consider Jesus. He heard the cry of the bereft, of the broken, of the outcast, of the one everyone scorned and told to just shut up. He ignored those in the front, those who felt it their place to be first, those who had it all together. He went to the least of these. And He provided the blind beggar with dignity. While Jesus, being God, certainly knew what the man would say, He didn’t presume it. Instead, He asked what the man’s needs were. Upon learning those needs, He addressed them and added something more, something that points to the salvation He brings— “your faith [in me] has made you well” (Luke 18:42).
There are many lessons here which go beyond this short meditation, but consider these questions: How can we reach out with the hope of the Gospel to those whose physical needs are overwhelming? How can we see them with the eyes of Jesus, respecting who they are, and give them both help and hope in Christ? What might this look like in the communities in which we live? Are we, like those up front, hindering those who need help and are crying out for mercy from coming to Jesus, or are we going to them at Jesus’ command and bringing them to Christ by serving them where they are at?
It is true that we all are like the blind beggar, calling out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Even so, as those baptized and called to serve Christ, don’t forget to make this concrete like Jesus made it concrete. We are God’s hands and God’s voice to those in our communities who need very concrete help. Be that help. Serve the neighbor. Speak the hope that is within you. Love as Jesus loved. And yes, cry out: “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”
Photo © LUMO – The Gospels for the visual age/Lightstock
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