As they were leaving Jericho, a large crowd followed Him. 30 And two blind men sitting by the road, hearing that Jesus was passing by, cried out, “Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!” 31 The crowd sternly told them to be quiet, but they cried out all the more, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!” 32 And Jesus stopped and called them, and said, “What do you want Me to do for you?” 33 They *said to Him, “Lord, we want our eyes to be opened.” 34 Moved with compassion, Jesus touched their eyes; and immediately they regained their sight and followed Him. Matthew 20:29-34 (NASB)
I remember how it was before Jesus opened the eyes of my heart. I did not know him. I could not see the truth about him. I was groping about trying to find God, but had no one to help me find the way. Spiritual blindness is just as real as the physical, and just as those blind men needed a miracle; so do we all.
“While I am in the world, I am the Light of the world.” 6 When He had said this, He spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and applied the clay to his eyes, 7 and said to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which is translated, Sent). So he went away and washed, and came back seeing. John 9:5-7 (NASB)
Without God, all of us live in perpetual darkness. Jesus came as God’s light to show us the way out of that darkness into God’s kingdom. Jesus is the only way to God, the only trustworthy light.
I remember praying, “Jesus, if you are real, please come into my life and reveal yourself to me.” From my perspective, my prayer was not very much different from that of the blind men. I had no way to help myself. If Jesus did not heal my spiritual blindness, I would remain in that condition.
For God, who said, “Light shall shine out of darkness,” is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. 2 Corinthians 4:6 (NASB)
Jesus was moved with compassion to help those blind men so long ago. His compassion toward me, a sinner, prompted him to remove the scales from my eyes in answer to my prayer.
The two blind men immediately began to follow Jesus after he gave them their sight. This proved that they were not merely seeking what he could do for them. They valued Jesus for himself. They became true followers. That is what every person should do when Jesus opens his or her eyes. A disciple is a follower of Christ who dedicates his life to fishing for people in order to make them disciples as well.
So where do you find yourself today? Are you still spiritually blind and in need of Jesus’ healing touch? If so, ask him to open your eyes. Or have your eyes been opened, but you never made the decision to become a follower of Jesus? If that is your situation, pray that God will make you a true disciple. The key is to surrender your entire being to Jesus, the Lord.
Prayer for the Spiritually Blind
Jesus, I am spiritually blind and need you to open my eyes. I cannot see who you are or understand the Gospel, but I am drawn to you. Have mercy on me, Lord! Without your healing touch, I will never be able to see. I ask you to come into my life and reveal yourself to me. I surrender myself to you and to your will for my life. Thank you for doing this in your way and your timing. Amen.
Prayer of Surrender
Jesus, I am reminded that you opened my eyes long ago, but I never started following you in earnest. I have kept my distance from you, but now I repent and ask your forgiveness. I surrender myself and all that I am and have to you. I recognize that you alone are my Lord. Have your way in my life. Amen.
