In the Moment

More than half of the selfies clicked are about appearance of people, highlighting their make-up, clothes and lips, according to a study that analysed 2.5 million pictures on popular photo-sharing website Instagram.
Read more here

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:

It was a moment in time, when Jesus was getting ready to leave Jericho. The crowds were huge and there were two blind men, probably begging, at the side of the road. They couldn’t see the man Jesus and they would not have had the opportunity to get near to him. So many others would have had the benefit of seeing and hearing him, watching him do his work. These men, pushed aside and begging on the side of the road had heard and understood more than those who had all of their senses. 

Realizing that they would have one moment in time to have an encounter with Jesus, they seized upon the opportunity. Before Jesus would pass them by, they would cry out from the margins of the crowd, “Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!” Had they heard something that the sighted people had missed? They called him Lord, and Son of David. The blind men have not been welcomed to the party, but from the outside have been carefully listening. They have comprehended who Jesus truly is and recognizing this, they know that they must live in this very moment. Continuing to shout they turn up the volume. “Over here, Jesus! We are here and we are asking you, Lord, Son of David, to have mercy on us!” The crowd tries to shush them up, for who are they to be crying out to this man? Having none of it, knowing that this is the moment, they will not give up. Finally Jesus stops and calls over the crowd to them, “What do you want me to do for you?” Their response can be taken in two ways, one is physical and the other spiritual. 

Cognizant of both their physical and spiritual need Jesus touches their eyes and they are healed in both ways. They regain their sight and they immediately follow Jesus. They had embraced the moment that had come their way and now, their lives were completely transformed. 

Application:

The blind men become for us, those with the deep hunger and desire for the circumstances of their life to change. Sitting in spiritual darkness, imagining that there is no hope is where many may be found. We live in a day and age where people find little hope. The secularization of life means that suddenly everything turns inward and we become the saviors of our own souls. Salvation must then be found in the pleasures of life, whether job, relationships or activities. But what happens when these are not enough? What happens when life is very different than that which we portray on social media?

As I sat at a graduation the other day I watched a group of beautiful young ladies. It was a fascinating time as they looked absolutely gorgeous and ready to graduate. At the same time they weren’t paying attention to anything happening around them but took selfie after selfie. I would watch as they took a moment to pose for their picture, cocking their head just right to get the best angle of the lighting. Smiling into their phone they would take several pictures. Then, in a moment their countenance would return to a look of boredom as they looked at their pictures and deleted those they didn’t like. The entire procedure would be repeated every 7-10 minutes. I was wondering what had changed in that amount of time! They portrayed an external image that was beautiful and that had everything together. But when the camera wasn’t clicking, they looked a bit sad. I wondered what was really going on inside of them and whether they had ever caught the moment. They had spent four years studying at a Christian University where they were required to attend chapel services. Did they notice when Jesus was there? That day the commencement speaker gave a powerful address about serving Jesus. Did they hear? They had all of their faculties and have had numerous opportunities to know Jesus. The moments have come, but now, maybe they have gone. 

I don’t know these young women, nor do I know their circumstances but maybe they represent us. So caught up in ourselves and the way in which we want to be perceived by the world that we miss the moments. We are all given moments, those of prevenient grace, when Jesus passes by. The opportunity to respond is always open to us and we can have our spiritual eyes opened to see the Truth. 

No matter today’s need, there is the moment in which we can cry out to Jesus. Preoccupation with the things of this world may keep us from noticing that Jesus is here. Put the phone down. Stop trying to be like someone else. We are a people in desperate need of the Lord, Son of David. He comes in the moment with healing for our body and soul. Lord, have mercy. 

Prayer:

Lord, I need to live into the spiritual disciplines in my life. This includes reducing the distractions that may keep me from experiencing the moments with you. Amen.