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“There is one thing I ask of the Lord
for this I long”
Psalm 26
Two blind men followed Jesus out of town shouting one thing: “take pity on us”.
Only a moment earlier they were probably part of the group laughing at Jesus when he told the crowd that the young girl they were about to bury was not dead but only sleeping.
Jesus responded to their ridicule by taking the dead girl by the hand, and she breathed again and got up.
No one was laughing now.
They were all amazed. Inspired. Filled with wonder.
It’s no wonder that the two blind men wouldn’t let Jesus out of their sight.
I like the way that the blind men did not ask for the obvious – that Jesus restore their sight.
Perhaps because they had just seen the dead girl resuscitated they were greedy for all they could get and felt that a more open request might invite an even bigger miracle than the simple restoration of their physical sight? Why would they restrict their invitation to something specific when Jesus could do anything and everything for them?
Whatever their thinking, it worked.
They asked just one thing of Jesus. They asked for his pity, clearly appreciating that Jesus had a better understanding of exactly how to tailor His abundant compassion to their need.
And then we get a sense of the power and depth of Jesus’ transforming response.
After their sight was restored, they could have rushed back home to see (for the first time) the faces of their family and watch The Chase on TV before dinner.
Instead they (despite Jesus asking them not to talk about what happened) couldn’t help themselves and talked not about what had happened to them but about Jesus, all over the countryside.
As I consider this thought I’m thinking it might be time for me to (at least every now and then) be a little less specific in what I ask for.
OK Jesus, here’s my open invitation to you. I ask just one thing. Take pity on me. Simply fill me with what whatever miracles I need today.
Oh gosh, thank you. This spoke to me today.
I always think the blind men, surely had some anonymous carer leading them towards Jesus. Otherwise how would they have known which way he went and the things he had done? Thank you for today’s reflection.
Thank you Father John for your inspiration and reflection Amen
Thank you for your beautiful reflection though not sure about the “chase” loved that input
Fill me with whatever I need today! What a beautiful prayer
I’m having an operation today so will use this for my mantra. Thank you
I like the challenge Jesus put to the men, “Do you believe that I can do this?”. I reflect on my own prayers and requests and imagine Jesus sitting next to me when I pray to him, and challenging me in the same way.
Enjoyed the humour this morning (intended or otherwise!) “It’s no wonder the two blind men wouldn’t let Jesus out of their sight”
Thank you Lord for the blessings you bestow on me and give me strength to deal with the hard stuff. Amen
Love the way you bring the Scriptures into our world, I find it really helps me to relate to Jesus. And yes, why would we want to ask Him for specifics when it is He who knows what we really need.
What can we imagine would have happened had the healed men taken heed of the stern warning of Jesus?
I like that approach/perspective – Please give me what I need today.