Advent Devotional for Dec. 10
Wednesday, December 10 Matthew 20:29-34
Jesus has compassion on all those who desire healing.
We face a similar situation in this text as we did in yesterday’s. Two blind men sit by the roadside, and as Jesus passes by, they shout, “Have mercy on us, Son of David!” Though an angry crowd tried to hush them, they continued to shout, “Have mercy on us!” Jesus hears them and stops, and says, “What do you want me to do for you?”
This is similar to yesterday’s situation where Jesus wants to know what the heart situation of the sick people are. What do these men really want? Do they want Jesus to tell off the crowds who have been picking on them? Do they want Jesus to overturn the religious system that marginalizes the sick? Do they want money? The men, however, decide they want none of these things, but desire more than anything else to be healed. This request touches Jesus’ heart, and he heals the men.
Jesus is touched that healing—not revenge—is the deepest desire of their hearts. Jesus still demonstrates that deep compassion on those who desire healing today. It takes courage to desire healing today; in a therapeutic world that aims at self-acceptance, it takes courage to say, “There is something disordered about me, and I crave Jesus’ healing touch.” In a world that often values style over substance, it takes courage to confess that not everything is right within, and that we need healing more than an image makeover. Jesus respected such courage then, and respects that courage in his children now. If healing is what we desire, Jesus stands ready.
Jesus has compassion on all those who desire healing.
We face a similar situation in this text as we did in yesterday’s. Two blind men sit by the roadside, and as Jesus passes by, they shout, “Have mercy on us, Son of David!” Though an angry crowd tried to hush them, they continued to shout, “Have mercy on us!” Jesus hears them and stops, and says, “What do you want me to do for you?”
This is similar to yesterday’s situation where Jesus wants to know what the heart situation of the sick people are. What do these men really want? Do they want Jesus to tell off the crowds who have been picking on them? Do they want Jesus to overturn the religious system that marginalizes the sick? Do they want money? The men, however, decide they want none of these things, but desire more than anything else to be healed. This request touches Jesus’ heart, and he heals the men.
Jesus is touched that healing—not revenge—is the deepest desire of their hearts. Jesus still demonstrates that deep compassion on those who desire healing today. It takes courage to desire healing today; in a therapeutic world that aims at self-acceptance, it takes courage to say, “There is something disordered about me, and I crave Jesus’ healing touch.” In a world that often values style over substance, it takes courage to confess that not everything is right within, and that we need healing more than an image makeover. Jesus respected such courage then, and respects that courage in his children now. If healing is what we desire, Jesus stands ready.
posted by Michael Jordan at 6:00 AM
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