Your Faith has Saved You

Then Jesus took the twelve aside and said to them, "See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written about the Son of Man by the prophets will be accomplished. For he will be handed over to the Gentiles; and he will be mocked and insulted and spat upon. After they have flogged him, they will kill him, and on the third day he will rise again." But they understood nothing about all these things; in fact, what he said was hidden from them, and they did not grasp what was said.

As he approached Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging. When he heard a crowd going by, he asked what was happening. They told him, "Jesus of Nazareth is passing by." Then he shouted, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" Those who were in front sternly ordered him to be quiet; but he shouted even more loudly, "Son of David, have mercy on me!" Jesus stood still and ordered the man to be brought to him; and when he came near, he asked him, "What do you want me to do for you?" He said, "Lord, let me see again." Jesus said to him, "Receive your sight; your faith has saved you." Immediately he regained his sight and followed him, glorifying God; and all the people, when they saw it, praised God. Luke 18:31-43 

There are often storms out on the ocean, just as there are often storms in our lives. Our family has been through so many losses and changes that it can seem overwhelming. It can seem like being lost in the dark, blinded by grief, loss and one too many transitions. There are lighthouses all along the shore and I love to see them, particularly at night. They remind me that in my own times of blindness and loss, there is still a loving God searching the shoreline, listening to our cries and helping us on our way home.

Jesus was on the way to his passion, his final moments in Jerusalem. The disciples didn't want his progress impeded by some loud beggar. But Jesus took the time to listen and to heal. The former beggar immediately became a disciple and follow wherever Jesus would lead. Our wretched need, our terrible losses and lacks are heard by God. Despite the busyness of the world, Jesus had time for our healing too. We might think we are insignificant, but God knows otherwise.

Today, I ask God to help me trust in him completely. May we take all our care to Jesus in prayer, expecting light for our journey and cures for our blindness. And may we take time for others who cry out to us, knowing that we never sail these rough seas or walk these rocky journeys alone.