I See You

SCRIPTURE: Gen. 44-46; Luke 18

Genesis 46:30
Israel said to Joseph, “I’m ready to die. I’ve looked into your face—you are indeed alive.”

Luke 18:31-43

I Want to See Again

^31-34Then Jesus took the Twelve off to the side and said, “Listen carefully. We’re on our way up to Jerusalem. Everything written in the Prophets about the Son of Man will take place. He will be handed over to the Romans, jeered at, made sport of, and spit on. Then, after giving him the third degree, they will kill him. In three days he will rise, alive.” But they didn’t get it, could make neither heads nor tails of what he was talking about. ^35-37He came to the outskirts of Jericho. A blind man was sitting beside the road asking for handouts. When he heard the rustle of the crowd, he asked what was going on. They told him, “Jesus the Nazarene is going by.”

³⁸He yelled, “Jesus! Son of David! Mercy, have mercy on me!”

³⁹Those ahead of Jesus told the man to shut up, but he only yelled all the louder, “Son of David! Mercy, have mercy on me!”

⁴⁰Jesus stopped and ordered him to be brought over. When he had come near, Jesus asked, “What do you want from me?”

⁴¹He said, “Master, I want to see again.”

^42-43Jesus said, “Go ahead—see again! Your faith has saved and healed you!” The healing was instant: He looked up, seeing—and then followed Jesus, glorifying God. Everyone in the street joined in, shouting praise to God.

OBSERVATION:  I heard and saw the real need to look into the face of the other and see that they are indeed alive.

APPLICATION: I continue my effort to see people as human, to give room for their pains and joys, and to listen carefully to their needs with respect.

PRAYER: Lord, let me see my brothers and sisters with new eyes through Christ, Amen.