Rabbi, I want to see you!
Mark 10:46
What a lofty dream, what a vision for a blind man - the gift of sight. And his faith heals him... AND... he becomes a disciple, he follows Jesus along the road.
It really is an interesting question that Jesus asks him -
"what can I do for you?"
So I have to ask myself: if it was me, what would I say? Granted, I don't believe that Jesus asks this only to the blind or the afflicted with the sole intent of healing them by their faith - but rather to call people afflicted by sin into a life of discipleship, following Jesus "on the road". They need only respond to Jesus in faith, desiring to see his face.
But what does that mean, even now? Today? Jesus no longer roams the earth in our midst. But the holy spirit yet moves. What does the face of the holy spirit look like? How can we see it that we might then follow - in discipleship, in power, authority, humility, peace, and love?
"Gio, what do you want me to do for you?.. think BIG!"
The blind man asked for sight, after all - a pretty lofty prayer. As for me, I want to pray - in faith - for the shalom of this city (Jer 29:7). More than anything I want to see shalom in this place - in your church, in all the people... gay, lesbians, the depressed and lonely, the poor and homeless, police and all other "principalities and powers"... and Jesus I see now that it must start with me. How can I expect there to be shalom in this place when I, just like the rest of the world, do violence to my environment, my friends, my wife, my self, and my God. Yes, even to you. To me. Something's gotta give. Lord, I seek after your righteousness. I need you to invade my heart and command it by your mighty, merciful, and just hands. Only you can take this sick, fallen heart and provide the grace and healing power to make it new.
Help me to understand that you are my God. I want to be obedient. I want to be pure. Blameless. Righteous like you. Then I want to be an agent of peace - of shalom - in this city and the next. Lord, you are great. I am small . Continue to work in and through me. Help me to remove the barriers keeping me from bringing your Kingdom. In the name of your son Jesus. Amen.
Mark 10:46
What a lofty dream, what a vision for a blind man - the gift of sight. And his faith heals him... AND... he becomes a disciple, he follows Jesus along the road.
It really is an interesting question that Jesus asks him -
"what can I do for you?"
So I have to ask myself: if it was me, what would I say? Granted, I don't believe that Jesus asks this only to the blind or the afflicted with the sole intent of healing them by their faith - but rather to call people afflicted by sin into a life of discipleship, following Jesus "on the road". They need only respond to Jesus in faith, desiring to see his face.
But what does that mean, even now? Today? Jesus no longer roams the earth in our midst. But the holy spirit yet moves. What does the face of the holy spirit look like? How can we see it that we might then follow - in discipleship, in power, authority, humility, peace, and love?
"Gio, what do you want me to do for you?.. think BIG!"
The blind man asked for sight, after all - a pretty lofty prayer. As for me, I want to pray - in faith - for the shalom of this city (Jer 29:7). More than anything I want to see shalom in this place - in your church, in all the people... gay, lesbians, the depressed and lonely, the poor and homeless, police and all other "principalities and powers"... and Jesus I see now that it must start with me. How can I expect there to be shalom in this place when I, just like the rest of the world, do violence to my environment, my friends, my wife, my self, and my God. Yes, even to you. To me. Something's gotta give. Lord, I seek after your righteousness. I need you to invade my heart and command it by your mighty, merciful, and just hands. Only you can take this sick, fallen heart and provide the grace and healing power to make it new.
Help me to understand that you are my God. I want to be obedient. I want to be pure. Blameless. Righteous like you. Then I want to be an agent of peace - of shalom - in this city and the next. Lord, you are great. I am small . Continue to work in and through me. Help me to remove the barriers keeping me from bringing your Kingdom. In the name of your son Jesus. Amen.
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