Today, I am happy to introduce you to a new friend, Melanie. Melanie writes at Only a Breath and speaks such encouragement and blessing into the lives of others. Her words to you today have blessed me already and I know that you will find inspiration and hope in what she shares. Thank you, Melanie, for sharing with us today! {Oh and Melanie has allowed me to share my heart with her readers today as well … so pop over there and say “Hi!” I know you’ll want to delve into her writings there as well!}
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Have you ever read a passage of scripture that is completely familiar, but reading it again causes a verse to jump out at you?
“As they were leaving Jericho, a large crowd followed Him. And two blind men sitting by the road, hearing that Jesus was passing by, cried out, “Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!” The crowd sternly told them to be quiet, but they cried out all the more, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!” And Jesus stopped and called them, and said, “What do you want Me to do for you?” They said to Him, “Lord, we want our eyes to be opened.” Moved with compassion, Jesus touched their eyes; and immediately they regained their sight and followed Him.” ~ Matthew 20:29-34 (NASB)
Matthew 20:29-34 tells of two blind men who sat on the side of the road with searching hearts and keen ears. They couldn’t see Jesus, but they heard the noisy crowd surrounding the One called The Healer. They cried out to the Jesus, begging Him to have mercy on them. The crowd undoubtedly instructed the blind men to calm down, that Jesus was a very busy man… much too busy for them.
The Bible says that they cried out even louder, and I imagine them waving their arms and jumping up and down to get Jesus’ attention. When Jesus came close to them, he asked them what they wanted Him to do. I wonder if anyone was surprised by that question, because the men were obviously blind and in need of sight. I am so thankful for that question and that the blind men vocalized exactly what their request was to Jesus.
Their answer to Jesus has always penetrated my heart: “Lord”, they said, “we want our eyes to be opened.”
I am a southern wife and mom, and I have never seen Jericho. Out of all of the beautiful accounts contained in the Bible, I never expected to identify the most with these two blind men by the side of the road. Our lives seem very opposite to me. However, these two blind men spoke the same words to Jesus then as I speak to Him now.
Lord, I want my eyes to be opened…
Open my eyes to the lonely one who needs a friend and a listening ear… Lord, you are our refuge and strength (Psalm 46:1)
Open my eyes to the discouraged man or woman that I come in contact with today who may need a simple smile and a word of encouragement … Lord, you are close to the brokenhearted (Psalm 34:18).
Open my eyes to those who poor and by your Holy Spirit, please prompt me to give of my time and resources to be Your hands and feet.
Lord, even as the blind men on the side of the road asked you so long ago, it is also my prayer.
Lord, I want my eyes to be opened.
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What did I tell you? Sweet words of challenge to us today …. Lord, open our eyes!
How have you experienced this eye-opening?
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