3rd. September. 2020. Daily Devotion.
29 As Jesus and his disciples were leaving Jericho, a large crowd followed him. 30 Two blind men were sitting by the roadside, and when they heard that Jesus was passing by, they shouted, ‘Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!’31 The crowd rebuked them and told them to be quiet, but they shouted all the louder, ‘Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!’32 Jesus stopped and called them. ‘What do you want me to do for you?’ he asked.33 ‘Lord,’ they answered, ‘we want our sight.’34 Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and followed him. Matthew 20:29-34
How much for granted we take our eyesight! If you have ever had cataracts removed, you will know how wonderful it is to recover the vivid vision and bright colours that clouded lenses dimmed for so long.
Physical blindness can creep up on us as cataracts or, much worse with macular degeneration or stroke which can be devastating.
Blindness is often a metaphor in the Bible for inability or unwillingness to see spiritual truth. Jesus often warned people to be careful what they believed and taught. He spoke of the blind leading the blind, and both falling into a ditch.
Helen Keller is quoted as saying, “As selfishness and complaint pervert the mind, so love with its joy clears and sharpens the vision.” She was very aware that spiritual blindness often has a moral dimension to it, a refusal or neglect of God and his Word.
In Matthew 13 the disciples asked Jesus why He taught in parables. He said that it gave them the ability see and thus understand who He was. It also allowed the people to see Him, and what He did, because “they don’t really see” who He is. Their eyes were closed to the fact that Jesus was their Messiah, so He felt the parables helped overcome this and give them proper vision. As we see in the passage above, Jesus healed physical blindness out of compassion. The same compassion impels his desire to heal our spiritual blindness which is often deliberate.
Oswald Chambers wrote, “We have to pray with our eyes on God.“ Let’s keep our “vision sharpened” by focusing on Him, praying constantly that we will retain the desire in our heart to grow spiritually deeper and to be aware of the needs of others around us. We are comforted by knowing the eyes of God watch over us. “But blessed are your eyes, because they see.” ~ Matthew 13:16
Prayers
Gracious God accept my worship today and give me assurance of the forgiveness of my sins and faults as I confess and repent of them. Give me your grace and power to overcome them as well as self-knowledge and humility. Amen
For Healing
Compassionate God, your Son gives rest to those who are weary with heavy burdens. Heal the sick in body, mind, and spirit. Lift up the depressed. Befriend those who grieve. Comfort the anxious. Stand with all victims of abuse and violence. Uphold those who live with addiction. Fill us all with your Holy Spirit that we may bear each other’s burdens and so fulfil the law of Christ. God of mercy hear our prayer. Amen.
A Prayer for the Blind
Lord, mercifully look on all people afflicted with blindness. Comfort those whose visual impairment is recent and who have been used to getting around by their sight. Strengthen body and mind in their struggle with this new affliction. Heal them if it be your will, give them patience with themselves and others, and give them a spirit of determination to live their lives to the fullest despite their recent loss. Give sensitivity and compassion to all sighted people when they meet people who have physical limitations. We know that you healed many of the blind who came to you and that you decried spiritual blindness. Grant that all our eyes may be open to your Word and let it speak within the depths of our hearts and give us inward sight. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen
Benediction
Holy God, I pray to be filled with your Holy Spirit throughout this day that I may be filled with joy, energy and praise for your entire creation, thankful for your many blessings, and revealing your light in my every word and deed. This I pray in Christ’s name, Amen.
