My family has issues with eyesight.  All of us wear glasses or contact lenses of some sort, and some have had cataract surgery.  My mother has glaucoma and other eye issues, which makes life difficult, although she manages to get around by familiarity with her surroundings.  My father alone had fine, blue eyes.  At his untimely death in his mid-forties, his eyes were donated as organs so that two other recipients might see.

The ability to see was as vital in Jesus’ day as it is today.  A blind man on a Jericho road heard a crowd approach.  “They told him, ‘Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.’  And he cried out, ‘Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!’  And those who were in front rebuked him, and told him to be silent.  But he cried out all the more, ‘Son of David, have mercy on me!’ And Jesus stopped and commanded him to be brought to Him.  And when he came near, He asked him, ‘What do you want Me to do for you?’ He said, ‘Lord, let me recover my sight.’  And Jesus said to him, ‘Recover your sight; your faith has made you well.’  And immediately he recovered his sight and followed Him, glorifying God.  And all the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God.” (Luke 18:37-48 ESV)

This man was desperate to see again, too much to care about being shunned and told to shut up.  Jesus loved healing people, especially ones with a persistent request.  His plain question is so profound yet so simple; What do you want me to do for you?  Jesus knew the man was blind, and knows we need help too, but He wants us to keep asking, to lay out all our needs before Him, as this is our continual display of faithful trust and dependence on God.

Healing, in person and in spirit, is connected with our faith in Him.  Do you know who Jesus is, and what you want Him to do for you?  Are you willing to call Him Lord, follow Him, and glorify God, as the man healed of blindness readily did?  I pray you will let your requests be known to God each day, for He loves to hear His children pray, and heal them.

Shirley Moulton