Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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 Kurie-elaison - Enlightening Faith

 Luke 18: 35- 43
 
v42 Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight; your faith has healed you”.

The famous global healthcare company GSK has its mission statement, “We have a challenging and inspiring mission to improve the quality of human life by enabling people to do more, feel better, and live longer”.  In Luke’s Gospel, we read the mission statement of Jesus which is known as the Nazareth Manifesto. It includes proclaiming good news to the poor, recovering of sight to the blind, and freedom for the oppressed. Today’s passage includes one among the several incidents, where Jesus gives sight to the blind during his earthly ministry.
 
A large crowd followed Jesus on his final journey to Jerusalem. As He drew near Jericho, there was a blind man sitting by the roadside. Though the man was physically blind, he had the insight to realize that Jesus is the Messiah and the only solution to his problems. With the utmost desire, he was waiting for the opportunity to meet Jesus, and one day he perceived that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by. His determination and intense desire to get healed were very much visible in his actions. He cried out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me”. His humble, earnest, and persistent prayer stopped Jesus. His request was granted and he was healed at that very moment. This healing teaches us that God answers sincere and earnest prayers.
 
This blind man encourages us to put our faith in Jesus Christ no matter what others may say or do. By faith, he crossed all his limitations and setbacks before him. His words and actions reflect the strong faith he had in Christ Jesus. When the crowd tried to silence him, he used his voice, the only ability he had, at its fullest, and did not let Jesus pass him. After getting healed, we see him following Jesus with songs of praise. Thus, the blind man stands before us as an example of faith in action in contrast to the unconcerned crowd. The people who could see physically were blind spiritually. They were not able to recognize Jesus as the Messiah and never believed in him. Even though they witnessed the signs and wonders Jesus performed, they failed to understand him. They also neglected the needs of others just as they failed to meet the expectations of the Heavenly Father.
 
Are we like the crowd who missed salvation and wholeness through Jesus the Messiah or like the blind man who moved from darkness to the Light through faith? May this Lenten season enable us to receive spiritual sight and witness the savior in our day-to-day lives.

 
PRAYER
             Lord, open our eyes , heal our spiritual blindness and help us to follow you more closely, Amen.
 
 
THOOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Expect great things from God; attempt great things for God.
-   William Carey

Rev. Sajit Thomas John
Christian Education Forum, Diocese of NAE of the Mar Thoma Church

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