Matthew Chapter 20: Verses 30-32 (NIV-UK)
Two blind men were sitting by the roadside, and when they heard that Jesus was passing 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.
James Chapter 1: Verses 2-4 (NIV-UK)
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
I’m sure that for most of their lives the two blind men would have been largely ignored, and thought to be of little worth. So, when they decided to seize their chance and attract Jesus’ attention, they did not let the rebukes and attitude of the crowd put them off. They were determined not to miss this opportunity. Their persistence paid off. James tells his readers that if we persevere in our faith, even when things are difficult, then we become mature in our faith and able to stand firm.
That got me thinking about how easily we can be put off, especially if we face rebuke or ridicule. I thought of all those Christians, even today, who face severe hardship for their faith, yet they are prepared to stand firm. If we feel a particular call on our lives, pursuing that call will not always be easy, and people may well try to put us off. But we too need to show that same persistence. We don’t stand on our own, we have the Holy Spirit to help and guide us.
Dear Lord,
Help me to be as persistent as those two blind men in my determination to follow Your ways and to do Your will, even in the face of opposition. I ask in Jesus’ Name. Amen.