Son of David!

"As Jesus and his disciples were leaving Jericho, a large crowd followed him. Two blind men were sitting by the roadside, and when they heard that Jesus was going by, they shouted, 'Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!' The crowd rebuked them and told them to be quiet, but they shouted all the louder, 'Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!' Jesus stopped and called them. 'What do you want me to do for you?' he asked. 'Lord,' they answered, 'we want our sight.' Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and followed him."
Matthew 20:29-34

Jesus always had compassion for those in need. This story is no exception. When everyone else was telling the two blind men to be quiet, Jesus was paying attention. They did not go unnoticed. Jesus had said earlier that even one sparrow that falls to the ground is noticed by God. Now, he was showing everyone in the crowd the compassion God had for two blind men who certainly were the least in the eyes of all the people.
    There are so many things for us to learn from this story. Perhaps the most important is the persistence of the two blind men. When all those around them were saying, "shut up," they were set on getting the attention of the one who could heal them. Often, those around us will say, "Just accept what you have." But if God has put in your heart a desire and a passion to call out to him, do it! And when the world tells you to be quiet, shout all the louder! Our God is a God of compassion. He is a healing, forgiving, delivering, and redemptive God. We should accept nothing that stands against who he is. We can always know that God is paying attention to us. In the midst of doubters, we need to believe in the one who can save us.
    I have a picture in my mind about the exchange that took place between Jesus and the two blind men. I can see Jesus turning to look at them. He spoke with compassion in his voice, "What do you want me to do for you?" And with what little strength the two men had left, they cried, "Lord, we want our sight." Isn't it a little strange that Jesus would ask them what they wanted of him? It was obvious that they were blind. They were placed in the ditch on the side of the road so they would not be in the way. They were undoubtedly, beggars. This would have been the only way for them to survive. I think Jesus asked the question because it was important for the men to say it out loud. When they did, it removed all doubt. It was what they wanted more than anything else. When God asks us what we want from him, we must be as honest as the blind men. It may be obvious, or it may be something that we have never had the courage to ask. But God wants us to speak it out, confess it, and believe that he will do it for us.
    When the men declared what they wanted, it was done for them...immediately. God wants to respond to us. He wants us to cry out with the same tenacity as the blind men. He wants us to shout, in spite of what the crowd says. He wants us to believe for our healing. Like the blind men, all of us have handicaps that keep us from entering into the life that we desire with God. When we declare it, there is a power and authority that quiets the crowd. Don't be afraid. Don't give into the wishes of the crowd that wants to thwart your declaration. Cry out, "Son of David, have mercy on me!" You can be assured that he will hear you, that you have his full attention, and that his compassion is more than enough to meet your needs. Take a lesson from the two blind men, and receive your healing!