ESOCS Devotional 12 April 2021
TEXT: LUKE 18:31-43
MEMORY VERSE: “And Jesus said unto him, receive thy sight: thy faith hath saved thee.” Luke 18:42 KJV
Blindness in the Bible is often a metaphor for people who are lost, who are in darkness. The Bible tells us people are born blind—spiritually blind—and they remain blind willingly. They refuse to see the truth about Jesus. Many in our world are blinded by false religion. False religion is any religion that seeks to substitute Christ as the solution to the plight of the human race.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus healed a blind beggar at Jericho, who showed tremendous faith in the power of Jesus. Jesus replied that his faith had saved him. The blind beggar was obviously aware of his blindness since it was physical; but unfortunately, those who are spiritually blind may not be aware of their own blindness. Those who are blind to seeing the presence of human life within a mother’s womb ignore the truth, because the truth does not agree with their plans, fit into their personal agenda, or match their desires. Like the blind beggar at Jericho, we need to bring ourselves closer to Jesus in order to be healed. As a result of our faith, our blindness will be healed to see the truth because believing is seeing.
Now, Jesus teaches us more lessons about spiritual vision from a blind man. The lessons include a willingness to see ourselves as we really are; we must see our need. The second lesson in seeing our need is that we must be willing to see Jesus as the fulfiller of that need. Third, we must be willing to cry out to Jesus, “Have mercy on me!”
The moment the blind man heard, “Jesus of Nazareth” he knew what it meant. With Jesus close by, there is hope. With Jesus close by, there is the possibility of wholeness and wellness. What does it mean when Jesus is close by? It means hope and healing. He was sure Jesus could heal him. You should take special note of that. The blind man knew he was blind. You might find this surprising, but some people who are blind do not know they are blind. Helen Keller was both blind and deaf from an early childhood disease. She was once asked, “Isn’t it terrible to be blind?” She responded, “Better to be blind and see with your heart, than to have two good eyes and see nothing”. For this blind man, blindness was in fact a benefit. For some reason, he was able to see what the religious leaders failed to see—the true identity of Jesus Christ.
How about you? If you are seeking salvation, but have met hindrances, don’t give up! Keep crying out to God until you know He has heard you and answered your prayer. Jesus said violent men take the kingdom by force. You must have the attitude that you won’t be denied. You will cry until you know the Lord has granted you His salvation.
Read yesterday’s ESOCS Devotional here
CHALLENGES
What are those things that keep you from crying to God for mercy? Get rid of them and cry to Jesus in humility and sense of urgency to restore you.
PRAYER POINT
Ask the Lord to heal you of your spiritual blindness and restore your relationship with Him
FURTHER READING:
Luke 17:12-19; John 9:1–41
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ESOCS Devotional 12 April 2021
