This Lent we’re using our whole bodies, including our imagination, to help us meditate on Christ’s suffering for us. Our meditation today is based on a story in the Gospel according to Luke, where Jesus gives sight to a blind beggar. We’re going to listen to our reading three times, and place ourselves in the shoes of one of the three main character groups each time: the crowd, the blind beggar, and finally Jesus. This will help us hear the story in perhaps a new way.
(1) Crowd
Imagine you are part of the crowd. You’ve been following Jesus on foot for some days. He’s been travelling through the northern region of Galilee and you’ve joined his growing crowd of followers. The group is now nearing Jericho, about 20 kms from Jerusalem.
35 As Jesus approached Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging. 36 When he heard the crowd going by, he asked what was happening.
The blind beggar hears you and the crowd. What are you talking or singing about?
Pilgrims walking to Jerusalem would often sing psalms, in particular the psalms of ascent (Psalm 120–134). Scan these psalms. Pick a verse that resonates with you. Say this verse aloud to the group.
37 [The crowd] told [the blind beggar], “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.”
Who in your life right now are you “passing by” that you can tell about Jesus? Picture them in your mind’s eye. How will you tell them about Jesus?
38 [The blind beggar] called out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” 39 Those who led the way rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”
Have you been embarrassed by anyone’s expression of worship? Have you ever rebuked someone for their act of worship? ‘Those who led the way’ could refer to those at the front of the group and/or the leaders of the group. Has a church leader ever rebuked you? How did you feel?
40 Jesus stopped and ordered the [blind] man to be brought to him.
How did you bring the blind beggar to Jesus? How might this inform the way that you bring unbelievers to Jesus today?
When [the blind beggar] came near, Jesus asked him, 41 “What do you want me to do for you?” “Lord, I want to see,” he replied. 42 Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight; your faith has healed you.” 43 Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus, praising God. When all the people saw it, they also praised God.
How do you rejoice upon seeing the blind beggar healed? How do you feel experiencing someone who is blind receive sight?
(2) Blind beggar
Now imagine you are the blind beggar. Along with about 10% of the population, you are part of what is considered an “expendable” part of society. Most people don’t even notice you. Those who do, see you as a burden. You barely survive, eking out an existence begging every day. You only eat when someone stops to place a small coin in your outstretched hands.
35 As Jesus approached Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging.
Close your eyes. Open your hands. Hold them out together, empty, waiting for someone to put something into your hands. How does it feel when nothing comes?
36 When [the blind man] heard the crowd going by, he asked what was happening. 37 They told him, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.”
How did you hear the crowd — what were they doing or saying? You’ve heard about this Jesus fellow from others passing through the city gates over the last few weeks. You’ve heard that he’s a prophet, a healer, a great teacher who speaks with authority. Some have said he’s crazy or possessed by the devil. The Pharisees passing through talk in hushed whispers about the problems this “Jesus of Nazareth” is creating. How do you feel knowing that Jesus is about to pass you by?
38 [The blind man] called out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” 39 Those who led the way rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”
Let’s say aloud twice the prayer of the blind man. “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me! Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” How do you feel when the crowd tells you to be quiet?
40 Jesus stopped and ordered the [blind] man to be brought to him.
Imagine the crowd leading you to Jesus. What do you do when you arrive in front of him?
When [the blind man] came near, Jesus asked him, 41 “What do you want me to do for you?”
What do you want Jesus to do for you? With open hands, spend some quiet time in prayer asking and receiving from Jesus.
“Lord, I want to see,” [the blind man] replied. 42 Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight; your faith has healed you.” 43 Immediately he received his sight.
Open your eyes. Imagine looking into the eyes of Jesus. What do you want to do or say?
[Immediately the man] followed Jesus, praising God. When all the people saw it, they also praised God.
How do you praise God? Do you have a favourite song, hymn, or psalm of praise?
(3) Jesus
Now imagine you are Jesus (this might feel a little strange). You have been walking toward Jerusalem for some weeks. You are nearing your destination. You are heavy with the purpose God has laid upon your shoulders.
35 As Jesus approached Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging. 36 When he heard the crowd going by, he asked what was happening. 37 They told him, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.”
You see some of the crowd up ahead talking with a blind beggar. What do you notice about the blind man? What do you feel as you look at the exchange?
38 [The blind man] called out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”
Your mother, Mary, told you about how the angels announced your birth. An angel appeared to her when she became pregnant, saying “You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.” (Luke 1:31–33). Another angel appeared in the night sky on the night of your birth, singing to a group of shepherds, “I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.” (Luke 2:10–11). What does it mean that people are calling you the “Son of David”?
39 Those who led the way rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”
How do you feel when those leading the way rebuke the blind beggar?
40 Jesus stopped and ordered the [blind] man to be brought to him. When [the blind beggar] came near, Jesus asked him, 41 “What do you want me to do for you?” “Lord, I want to see,” [the blind beggar] replied.
Like a king, you stop the procession and order the beggar to be brought to you. The beggar calls you “Lord.” He already expects that you are his benefactor. What is the greatest kingly treasure you can offer this man?
42 Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight; your faith has healed you.” 43 Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus, praising God. When all the people saw it, they also praised God.
Your words have the power to change reality. This man receives the healing you offer. What’s going through your mind as the people praise God, and you continue on your journey with them following?
