March 22, 2025 -- Luke 18:40b - 43a -- Pause. Ask. What is your greatest need?

People loved by the Father, in the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

And when he came near, He asked him, “What do you want Me to do for you?” He said, “Lord, let me recover my sight.” And Jesus said to him, “Recover your sight; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he recovered his sight and followed Him, glorifying God.
Luke 18:40b-43a ESV
 
Jesus, surrounded by a crowd of people, was nearing Jericho. A blind man inquired who was passing by. Learning it was Jesus, he shouted above the noises of the crowd asking for mercy from Jesus. It seems like an odd question Jesus asked the blind man. Isn’t it obvious? Jesus is both gentle and powerful. He invites the man to declare his need. (At another time, when Jesus was confronted by the paralytic, the greatest need the man had was the forgiveness of his sins. In addition, Jesus healed him.) It is not always obvious what a man or a woman needs.
 
Notice the absolute confidence Jesus has in His Father. The Father in heaven drew the blind man to Jesus. Whatever the man would need, the Father in heaven would give grace to Jesus to perform. Nothing more. Nothing less. Jesus does not take glory to Himself but humbly addresses the man as the advocate between man and God.
 
Jesus performs a miracle as he takes note of the man’s faith. Look at the faith of the formerly blind man. When His sight was granted him, he followed Jesus and glorified God. This is instructive. The man is not seeking a miracle for personal gain. He is not seeking the miracle so that he can do his own thing. Not a chance. Granted his physical sight confirms his spiritual clear-sightedness. The formerly blind man was spiritually seeing, knowing God and believing His power, and though physically blind he was trusting God’s purposes.
 
What is the great need of your heart? What do you believe is the great need of your life? If you were to obtain it would that result in you following Jesus even more closely and glorifying God? If the answer is no, reconsider your request. Lay aside any weight, any hindrance that would interfere with your whole-hearted allegiance and obedience to God. If there is something in your life now, which you possess, and it is hindering your walk with God, get rid of it. Nothing is as valuable as a life dedicated to the Living God which is lived in obedience to Jesus your Savior and this through the power of the Holy Spirit working in you.
 
Glorious Father, Your word declares “it is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man”. By the powerful working of Your Spirit in me, help me to truly see myself and discern if I am trusting in anything, or in any one other person, more than Jesus Christ. Oh LORD, if as the Scriptures promise, You are on my side, and You ARE! Then I know I will not be afraid to yield complete submission to You. Amen. (Quotation Psalm 118:8)
 
https://youtu.be/svWaaVbOQps?si=y3Liw7p7bvprk9G2 Come Thou Fount (Above All Else)
 

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