Words of Grace

By Rev. Mahlon Nevel

A great multitude of people followed Jesus as he departed the town of Jericho when two blind men who were sitting by the side of the road heard that Jesus was passing by, they began to cry out, “Have mercy on us, O Lord.”

They were rebuked by the others in the crowd, who told them to be quiet. Instead of shutting up, they cried out all the more, ”Have mercy on us, O Lord.”

Our merciful savior is always ready to show mercy to those who need it. He stopped and asked them what they wanted him to do for them. “Lord,” they answered, “we want you to open our eyes.”

Jesus a showed compassion toward the two blind men. When he touched their eyes they immediately receive their sight and could see. Their cry for mercy resulted in a miracle.

Consider the compassion that Jesus had for people. What was it about people that move the heart of Jesus to be merciful to them? It was because he saw them “as sheep having no shepherd” (Matthew 9:36).

As sheep need a shepherd, people need a savior The hymn writer expressed it as follows:

“I was lost, but Jesus found me, Found the sheep that went astray, Threw his loving arms around me, Drew me back into his way.”