When Jesus Passes By

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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!”  Those who led the way rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “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 saw it, they also praised God.”  — Luke 18:35-43

Can you put yourself in the shoes of a blind man sitting by the wayside and begging?  I cannot. However, I would imagine he must have felt he was in an “impossible” situation. As a blind man, he must have always been dependent on others to lead and assist him through life. How miserable would life be dependent on the mercy of others?

“Others.”  Many times “others” have disappointed me more than I care to share. The “others” I thought I could count on during my “impossible” situation, were nowhere. Even my closest “others” deserted me when I needed them the most. “Impossible” situations can cripple us through our own emptiness, pain, sorrow, heartache, and hopelessness. Hopelessness can be so overwhelming, you can barely breathe. You feel as if you have been left sitting by the road as life passes you by pretending not even to notice. Begging? Yes, begging that the pain will stop. Begging for the long, dark night to fade as the brightest of a new day dawns. Begging for “why this or why that.” Begging and pleading to find some way out of this “impossible” situation.

“When your doorbell rings” as mine did, announcing your beloved son had been killed in combat, it is as if your life is like a crystal vase dropped on the floor, instantly shattering into a million pieces. Who can put all the tiny, broken pieces crying out with pain and sorrow back together again? Can you? I could not. I found myself in an “impossible” situation just like the blind man. Without my permission, I was made to sit by the wayside, begging as a blind man. My sight blinded by my pain.

When your doorbell of life rings, no matter what it may bring, the “real you” answers the door. Your doorbell might ring announcing financial devastation, a serious illness, divorce, death, false religion, depression, or addiction. In the midst of your broken and helpless situation you have a choice to make. You could become angry, bitter, curse God, and even walk away from Him. “Others” may encourage you to be mad—after all, they think you have the right—look how God allowed “this” to happen to you. If God were good, then He would not have allowed this in your life, they say. “Others” lead you to believe you are entitled to enjoy a blessed and favored life, of course, without pain or sorrow.

Or, on the other hand, in Luke 18 we read how Bartimaeus (so named in the account in Mark), a blind man sitting by the wayside begging, heard Jesus was passing by. Instantly he began to cry out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Despite discouragement from “others,” he cried out even more.

Suddenly, JESUS STOPS. Jesus asks Bartimaeus a very specific and personal question, “What do you want me to do for you?” He answers, “Lord, I want to see.” And Jesus says to him, “Receive your sight; your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Him . . . .

Likewise, you can choose by FAITH to surrender in the midst of your brokenness, admitting to yourself and then crying out, “Jesus, have mercy on me. You are my only hope in the midst of this ‘impossible’ situation.” Just like the blind man, it seems I sit helpless by the wayside of my life, blind as to how to heal my wounded heart and put the pieces back together again. As with Bartimaeus, the blind beggar, when by FAITH we surrender our needs and cry out to Jesus for help, God WILL listen, hear, and see us in our “impossible” situation.

Brokenness and heartache can blind you spiritually. In your “impossible” situation it is imperative that you receive your “spiritual” sight. Jesus is the ONLY ONE who can open your spiritual eyes so that you can see HIM and HIS sovereign control in your life. Never, never underestimate God, even when you cannot feel, hear, or see Him. He is in control to accomplish His perfect will and His purpose.

As Jesus was passing by, He heard my desperate cry in the midst of my “impossible” situation. Jesus stopped. He asked, “Miss Jackie, what do you want me to do for you?”  I said, “Lord, I want to receive my spiritual sight. Open my eyes to see YOU.”  Then Jesus said to me, “Receive your spiritual sight: your FAITH has saved you.” Immediately I received my spiritual sight and followed Him with passion and purpose, glorifying God. My prayer continues to be that others will see and give praise to Him.

Jesus is passing by. Will you cry out to Him?

Questions to Share:

1. What is the “impossible” situation you are experiencing right now?

2. How can you “see” God working in your life, your spiritual life, right now?