Opportunity and Perseverance

Scripture:

Matt. 20:29   As they were leaving Jericho, a large crowd followed him.  30 There were two blind men sitting by the roadside. When they heard that Jesus was passing by, they shouted, “Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!”  31 The crowd sternly ordered them to be quiet; but they shouted even more loudly, “Have mercy on us, Lord, Son of David!”  32 Jesus stood still and called them, saying, “What do you want me to do for you?”  33 They said to him, “Lord, let our eyes be opened.”  34 Moved with compassion, Jesus touched their eyes. Immediately they regained their sight and followed him.

Observation:

Jesus was going to pass by and the blind men who were sitting on the side of the road realized that they had an opportunity. They had heard about this man Jesus and that he was a miracle worker. This was it - the opportunity for their lives to be significantly changed.

Their social status would have encouraged them to stay in the background — remaining quiet! And yet they recognized that this moment might never come again and so they persevered. They began to shout “Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!”

The crowd’s response reflects the way they felt about these two individuals. They told them to be quiet! They were not worth it — they were simply poor, blind beggars! Unworthy to ask this man for anything.

They would not give up. They refused to listen to what people said to them — and in essence, about them. They shouted even louder.

Jesus stopped. The opportunity now stood right in front of them and with boldness they declared that they wanted to see. Jesus was moved and they were healed. Their perseverance had been well worth it!

Application:
There are moments of opportunity within our own lives — moments when Jesus comes our way. I’m afraid that we take it for granted that he will pass this way again another day. That the still small voice that may be encouraging us to respond to the Lord, or to something he’s challenging us to do — that this voice will come again another time. There are moments of opportunity — ones which will never pass again and had the blind men let the moment pass, they would have remained blind.

Some of us, by refusing to respond when Jesus passes by are missing the opportunities which he has placed before us.

At the same time, we may need to persevere in our faith. The blind men would not let anything discourage them. Too often we allow the negative voices around us to discourage us from what we ought to be doing, or how we should be responding. They aren’t worth it! Persevere, step forward in faith — and allow the Lord to do his work in you.

Prayer:

Lord, may I walk forward, persevering with faith in you.  Amen.