believing is seeing
"At that very moment he was given his sight and began to follow Him." —Luke 18:43
Jesus' healing of the blind beggar of Jericho is preceded by the young rich man's rejection of Jesus and followed by Zacchaeus' acceptance of Him. Jesus healed not only the physically blind but also those spiritually blinded by the god of the present age, the god of greed and a pleasure-seeking lifestyle (2 Cor 4:4). The love of money is the root of all evil, including spiritual blindness (1 Tm 6:10).
For example, the Pharisees were "blind guides" and "blind fools" (Mt 23:16-17) because they "were avaricious men" (Lk 16:14). We can act like the young rich man, refuse to let Jesus heal us of our blindness, and walk away sad (Mk 10:22). On the other hand, we can be like Zacchaeus. Jesus will open our eyes and our hearts. We will give half or more of our possessions to the poor (Lk 19:8).
On the day we are healed of spiritual blindness, salvation will have truly come to our house (Lk 19:9). Even if you're blind to being blind, by faith draw close to Jesus today and pray: "Lord, I want to see" (Lk 18:41). Jesus will answer: "Receive your sight. Your faith has healed you" (Lk 18:42).
Prayer: Lord, I want to see today, no matter what.
Promise: "Happy is the man who reads this prophetic message, and happy are those who hear it and heed what is written in it, for the appointed time is near!" —Rv 1:3
Praise: St. Elizabeth, queen of Hungary, loved the sick and thus built a hospital at the foot of her castle.
Reference: (For a related teaching, order our tape Spiritual Blindness on audio AV 65-1 or video V-65.)
Rescript: †Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, May 1, 2008
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