Monday 15 November 2010

Background

Here is a well-known story, perhaps so well known that theextraordinary insight into the grace of God and the courage ofhuman beings can be missed. Stop for a moment and wonderagain.

Remember that blindness not only made life difficult for the personand indeed their family, but also was seen as a consequence ofbehaviour. People got what they deserved. Remember also that hewasn't just a blind man but someone who begged for a living becausehe was blind. His blindness was not only a difficulty he livedwith, but also the only way he had to live. His begging waspossible because of his lack of sight.

In the light of this, it is worth noticing how unhappy the crowdwere with the man and his shouting. After all, he deserved hisblindness and the misery of others is always embarrassing. Inparticular listen carefully to Jesus' question in verse 41, "Whatdo you want me to do for you?" It might seem an obvious question,but it wasn't. Being a blind beggar must have been a hard enoughlife to lead. Being a healed blind beggar would be a lot harder andwho would give a job to a man whose only skill was begging?

Given all this, the blind man's answer is wonderful, moving, braveand challenging - "Lord, let me see again" (verse 41). Jesusunderstands the cost of this answer, and knows that it is the man'sfaith that has made the change possible. It is a faith in an unseenfuture for a man who knows all about the difficulties of not beingable to see. It is faith in a person who offers love and respect toanother, someone at the bottom of the social heap, poor, dependent,sitting by the roadside of life. It is faith that letting go ofcertainties, certain only of the grace of another, will lead togood and not evil.

To Ponder

How do other people's desperate needs make usfeel?

What do we want Jesus to do for us?

In Prisons Week, where might we be imprisoned butfearful of release?

And Pray
For the courage to be made well; the patience to live withour difficulties; the grace to let others know what is best forthem.