Wednesday 05 March 2008

Background

Two blind men had been following Jesus along the road - perhapspicking up excitement and anticipation from the crowd and coming toshare in the popular hope that Jesus was the long-awaited son ofDavid (and so a descendent of the Jewish royal line).

The public expectation was that the Messiah would free the Jewishpeople from the Roman occupation and reassert God's direct rule.With this high level of expectation around the blind men must havewondered whether they could be healed by Jesus as others had been.They naturally longed to be able to see and their urgent hopescompelled them to follow Jesus into a house. There, he was able tochallenge them in a more direct way without the swirling crowds.Perhaps Jesus thought that if they did not believe he had theauthority to heal them their attitudes would hardly behelpful.

However, they were able to voice their belief in his power to healthem - they were open in attitude. Only then, he touched their eyesand they were opened.

Similarly we are called on to believe in the sun even when it isnot shining and before it breaks through the clouds. We are invitedto believe in Jesus' willingness and ability to help when we mighthave despaired. In 'indoor' moments, when we step out of thecrowds, we are asked what we personally think - not because faithin itself brings healing or because it is a fixed precondition ofhealing (this is clear from other contexts) but becauseco-operative and open attitudes enable love to do a healing workwithin us. A closed frame of mind is plainly unhelpful.

When Jesus healed the "demonic mute" who was brought to him thecrowds were openly amazed but the Pharisees showed theirreservations and prejudice by suggesting that Jesus was working inleague with "the ruler of demons". Our minds become strangelytwisted when we do not have the freedom to admit that what we seeand hear as good really is good. Those who want to step aside fromthe rigidity of blinkered prejudice need to answer the 'in-house'question - 'What is preventing you from taking your blinkersoff?'

To Ponder

What attitudes do you have that close your mindto what divine love can do? (Eg a perceived disappointment)

What could help you keep your attitudes open?