A CRY FOR MERCY

“Jesus … granted sight to many blind people” (Luke 7:21), but the Gospels only record the details concerning three of these miracles. John recalled the story of Jesus putting mud in a blind man’s eyes and then telling him to go wash at the pool of Siloam. The blind man “washed and came back seeing” (John 9:7).

Mark told the story of the blind man at Bethsaida (Mark 8:22-26). On that occasion, Jesus took the man outside the village and put saliva in his eyes. When he opened his eyes, his vision was blurry… people looked like trees. But when Jesus touched him again, his vision was healed … 20-20! What a miracle!

All three of the Synoptic Gospels tell the story of Blind Bartimaeus (Matthew 10:29-34; Mark 10:46-52; Luke 18:35-43).

As Jesus was passing through the village of Jericho near the Dead Sea, a blind beggar called out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” (Mark 10:47). Though he was blind, he could see that Jesus was the “Son of David.” He’d heard all the accounts of Jesus’ preaching, teaching, and healing ministry. He heard, and he believed. Jesus, this passer-by, this traveling evangelist, was indeed the long-awaited Messiah, the One to rule and reign upon David’s throne. Bartimaeus faithfully saw that Jesus, and only Jesus, could shower him with God’s miraculous mercy.

If you are looking for succinct prayers that pack a punch, look no farther. Just eight words in the English language… eight words revealing extraordinary spiritual insight… eight words packed with reverence… eight words loaded with hope… eight words that changed the world for a blind beggar. “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

In the first story, healing occurred when the man obeyed Jesus’ instruction. When he washed in the Pool of Siloam, he returned seeing. In the second story, healing for the blind man at Bethsaida came after Jesus’ life-changing touch. In the third, the blind man prayed, and Jesus healed him instantly.

No hocus-pocus… no waiting and watching… no saliva and no mud… just a faithful prayer.

God answers prayer … even the prayers of a blind beggar (like me… like you.)

“… think on these things” (Philippians 4:8, KJV).