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.

It is not lost on me that Jericho is mentioned here. Just before this story, two of Jesus’ disciples were trying to climb the leadership ladder with Jesus. If Jesus would have asked her, the disciples' mom (who made the request they sit at Jesus’s right and left sides in heaven) probably would have provided a long list of accomplishments.

Back in the Old Testament, Jericho was a city known for its large, protective wall. The city leaders likely laughed and scoffed at armies who would try and penetrate it. But God used praise, worship, and shouts, to bring that wall down.

Now in this story, we have two men who were blind who sought for Jesus to heal them. They were typically ignored and passed over by the townsfolk, I imagine. Here when they cry out for Jesus to heal them, not having anyone to lead them to Jesus. Then, to cap it off, they were rebuked.

Have you ever been rebuked or scolded for doing something that is not considered appropriate or in line with societal norms? I have. So what did these blind men do? They shouted all the more. They had nothing to lose and everything to gain. And gain they did, because Jesus heard them and came over and healed their blindness.

Jesus has the power not only to heal physical disabilities, but also our spiritual wounds and rescue us from the sinful entanglements that limit our ability to thrive.

There is a spiritual principle at play here too. Sin puts chains on us so we cannot move about freely, like a blind man. When we recognize the depth of depravity our sinful lives have created and ask for Jesus to heal us, we should do it without worrying about what others think or being concerned about their selfish rebukes.

I need to cry out to Jesus and seek his healing touch. What do I need to repent of and cry out to him for today?

Lord, thank you for your truth which feeds me. This story shows your true power to heal. It also shows that we are rewarded when we persistently call out to you. You will heal those who seek you, not always physically, but always spiritually.