June 30, 2018


What Would Happen?

“What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him.
The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.”
“Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.
– Mark 10:51-52

Who would we be if we truly saw Jesus for who He is? What would we do if we truly saw Him?

We spend most of our lives being led by our own common sense and the world’s opinion of what we should do and who we should be. We not only deny Jesus but we deny the person He has called us to be.

We’re just so practical, you know? We don’t see a way so we assume a way doesn’t exist. We walk by faith – but only as far as we can see. We believe in miracles – for other people. We have great faith – but not when it means going where we are uncomfortable.

The sad truth is that we don’t want to cause ripples. And we certainly don’t want to ignite a storm. We just want to get along, to lead a good life, to be successful in the eyes of the world. If we want to be known, it’s for worldly achievements.

Sure, we want to go to heaven one day. Just not today. And we don’t really want to sacrifice anything to get there. We don’t want people to dislike us because we choose to follow Jesus rather than man. We want to do life on our own terms.

We know exactly what that looks like. We stay busy telling people how to live for Jesus. We insist that we know what is right. Yes, our biblical views benefit us. But, well, that’s just how it is. We’re not backing down. No compromise for us. We’re a hard-hearted bunch. All in the name of Jesus, of course.

But what would happen if we stepped back for a moment. Imagine yourself back in the days when Jesus was teaching and preaching and healing on this earth. Look down at your dusty feet. Feel yourself jostled in the crowd. Move close enough to hear His words. Do you still believe?

We’d like to think we would be one of those who gave up everything to follow our Savior. We want to believe that we would have given our very lives for the One who came to save us all. But the truth isn’t so pretty. Would we be like Peter, one of Jesus’ closest friends, who denied Him three times rather than risk his own life? Or would we be like the Pharisees who “knew” so much but were really so focused on their own opinions and power that they missed the Messiah?

The blind man’s faith was simple and direct. He knew Jesus could heal him. There was nothing fancy going on. No rituals. No prayer circles. No debates. Just one man with great faith and a Savior who saw him and heard the cry of his heart.

Why do we need it to be so much more than that? Why do we need signs and plans and the support of all those around us? What keeps us from hearing His voice and walking toward Him with great faith? What would happen in our lives if we stopped looking around us and focused directly on Jesus? What would happen if great faith directed our steps?

Open your eyes. See our Savior. Start walking toward Him. It really is that simple.

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