Greatness: Matthew 14-20Sample

When my kids want something, they will keep asking and asking and asking. As a parent, it can be really frustrating. I might be in the middle of an important task or on the phone but they keep on asking. Responding with “I’ll think about it” only emboldens them and they repeat their request until they get what they want or they get in trouble. In which case, they try their luck with the other parent!

In today’s readings, Jesus is leaving Jericho, and a great crowd is with Him. He is busy. On the side of the road are blind men who are calling out to Jesus asking for mercy, wanting to be healed. The crowd with their own agendas tells them to be quiet. In fact, not only are they telling the men to be quiet, but the Bible also says they rebuke them.

But the men are desperate. They know Jesus is their only hope and so cry out, “Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!” (Matthew 20:30, ESV). Despite the condemnation they receive from others, they keep calling out. Jesus stops what He is doing, listens to them and heals them. He credits their faith as the reason for their healing.

In another part of the Gospels, Jesus tells us we need to come to Him like little children. These men are a great example of that. They kept calling out, kept asking even when everyone else disapproved. It was this faith that resulted in their healing.

Today, ponder this: Today’s example shows us that God wants us to desperately call out to Him and to keep calling, with faith. Are you prepared to do this? Will you keep calling out to God in faith through prayer, waiting for Him to answer?