As Jesus and His disciples were leaving Jericho, a large crowd followed Him. Two blind men were sitting by the roadside, and when they heard that Jesus was going 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. “Lord,” they answered, “we want our sight.” Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and followed Him. Matthew 29:29-34
“There is nothing good, nothing holy, nothing beautiful, nothing joyous which He is not to His servants. No one need be poor, because, if he chooses, he can have Jesus as his own property and possession. No one need be downcast, for Jesus is the joy of heaven, and it is His joy to enter into sorrowful hearts. We can exaggerate about many things; but we can never exaggerate our obligation to Jesus, or the compassionate abundance of the love of Jesus to us. All our lives long we might talk of Jesus, and yet we should never come to an end of the sweet things that might be said of Him.”
A.W. Tozer in The Pursuit of God (Abbotsford: Aneko, 2015) 28-29.
The crowds in antiquity rebuked the blind who cried out to Jesus for help. Consider the irony of this moment. Those who can see are blind to what Christ can do while the blind appear to see quite clearly. The same thing happens today. Don’t worry about what others think. The compassionate abundance of the love us Jesus toward us is unfathomable. And notice what He says to those who call to Him. “What do you want me to do for you?” What service! It sounds like a humble, yet enthusiastic, waiter or waitress eager to serve us. “What do you want me to do for you?” Let’s take that posture with others as well, empowered by His love.
Father in heaven, thank you for the compassionate abundance of the love us Jesus toward us. By your Holy Spirit, help us take the posture of “What do you want me to do for you?” toward others so our service brings you glory. Amen.