The song Amazing Grace contains this rich lyric: “I once was blind, but now I see.” The truth is, we are all blind, in some way. And in desperate need of healing.

The gospels tell us that Jesus healed many blind people. Two stories stand out: one in Matthew 20, the other in Mark 10. The stories are very similar, and are likely to be describing the same event: both incidents happen on the road outside of Jericho, and the conversation recorded is almost the same in both stories. In Matthew’s version, there are two blind men, in Mark’s, only one. In Matthew’s narrative, Jesus heals with a touch, in Mark’s, he does so with a word.

In both stories, the men call out as Jesus goes past, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” The crowd tries to shut them up, but they keep yelling. Matthew’s text continues:

 ³²Jesus stopped and called them. "What do you want me to do for you?" he asked.

 ³³"Lord," they answered, "we want our sight."

 ³⁴Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes. Immediately they received their
sight and followed him. (Matthew 20:32-34)

Mark's version of the story is different in that he says there is only one man, and Mark supplies his name.  He also includes Jesus' commendation of the man's faith.

      The blind man said, "Rabbi, I want to see."

Rather than puzzle over the differences in the story, I have been reflecting on their timeless truth. There is a bit of playful irony in them—even when they are blind, the men understand that Jesus’ identity and authority better than the crowd surrounding him. They do not point to their own accomplishments as a reason why they deserve to be healed, but simply ask for mercy. These beggars, though physically blind, have keen spiritual perception.

But the word that has jumped out of the text for me as I’ve reflected on these passages this week is “followed.” In response to receiving their sight, the men in the stories immediately follow Jesus.

You and I may not be physically blind, but we have spiritual blind spots. We have character flaws we cannot see, or sins we choose to ignore. When we encounter with Jesus, recognize his authority and identity, and respond by crying out for mercy, it will change us. We’ll be healed of our spiritual blindness. But what will we do with this new vision? The temptation is to use it to go our own way, to turn our attention and newfound vision toward our own agenda. To say, “Thanks, Jesus, gotta run!”

But these men choose another way. They get up from the side of the road and follow Jesus. And while I have been following Jesus since I was a child, to continue in that following is a daily decision. To be willing to realize I have blind spots that need healing, and that the point of his healing me is to enable me to follow him more closely.

Deeper Connection

In what ways are you blind? In other words, what parts of your character or life would rather ignore? How are seeing and following connected?

Book Review

Reliving the Passion
Walter Wangerin Jr
Zondervan
Retail Price $14.99
Amazon Price: $10.79

                Depending on the religious context in which you were raised, you may or may not realize we are smack dab in the middle of Lent. This season of the church calendar is observed in the forty days before Easter. It seems longer than forty days (meant to correspond to Jesus’ forty day fast and temptation in the wilderness) because according to tradition, the Sundays leading up to Easter are not counted in the forty days.

American culture is not very big on deprivation or introspection, so it’s not surprising we’re uncomfortable with the notion of Lent. Or we reduce it to some sort of strange diet—pepper and egg sandwiches on Fridays and no chocolate. While fasting, in its various forms, can be a helpful spiritual practice, it is meant to be combined with the practice of prayer. Simply depriving yourself of candy or diet Coke won’t impress God or feed your soul.

I’ve seen various approaches to Lent in our culture that are everything from lackadaisical to legalistic. But Lent is truly meant to be a time of reflection on the suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus. It’s meant to be a time of both fasting and prayer, a time of reflection.

Walter Wangerin’s wonderful book Reliving the Passion offers daily meditations for this season. Each day you read a bit of the gospel of Mark, then a simply reflection on the text. Although Lent officially began this year on February 17, it’s not too late to pick up this book. Start reading in the middle, if you want.

Wangerin writes beautifully, but what shines through these simple meditations is his deep love for the Savior. He takes us into the story of Jesus’ last days, and immersed in that story, we cannot help but love Jesus more. That’s really the purpose of Lent, or any other season—to love Jesus more.

Quotable

Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. "Simon," he said to Peter, "are you asleep? Could you not keep watch for one hour? Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak." (Mark 14:37, 38)

Keri’s monthly “For Your Soul” column provides encouragement and soul care for leaders. Check it out at http://www.christianitytoday.com/childrensministry/features/foryoursoul.html

If you are interested in having Keri speak to your group and would like to watch video of her speaking, go to www.keriwyattkent.com/speaking.htm and click on the link to YouTube videos. 

Check out Keri’s blog, Deep Breathing for the Soul, at www.keriwyattkent.com/soul/   You can read Keri’s latest musings on the connection between faith and real life, you can post a question about any of her books or other writings.

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Speaking & Events

Keri’s fall speaking calendar is filling up. It’s possible to “piggy-back” events near each other, so if you are located near any of the already scheduled events you may want to consider having Keri speak at your event on the same trip. For details, contact her at www.keriwyattkent.com/speaking.htm

Fall events:

September 17-18: Charlotte, NC

October 1-3: Junction City, KS

October 14: Indianapolis, IN

November 8: Marietta, GA