Just Between Us

Luke 18:35-43
"As Jesus approached Jericho, a blind beggar was sitting beside the road. When he heard the noise of a crowd going past, he asked what was happening. They told him that Jesus the Nazarene was going by. So he began shouting, 'Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!'
'Be quiet!' the people in front yelled at him. But he only shouted louder, 'Son of David, have mercy on me!'
When Jesus heard him, he stopped and ordered that the man be brought to him. As the man came near, Jesus asked him, 'What do you want me to do for you?'
'Lord,' he said, 'I want to see.'
And Jesus said, 'All right, receive your sight! Your faith has healed you.' Instantly the man could see, and he followed Jesus, praising God. And all who saw it praised God, too."

I love the tenacity of this blind man. Here he is on the side of the road, languishing in darkness and he learns that the Son of God is passing by. Boldly he cries out for help but he is quickly hushed by those standing near. "Don't bother the Lord with your burdens" is what is communicated by these people's obvious irritation. But this man persists, undaunted. He refused to back down just because of a little discouragement from the peanut gallery. He recognized the rare opportunity at hand and he reached for it. Jesus noticed.

Time and time again I read in the scriptures how someone in desperation reaches out for Jesus and he is there to receive them. Not only does he receive them but he rewards them because they acted in faith. He was never too busy, never too important to acknowledge and compassionately meet the needs of another. In fact, he extended an open invitation to carry our loads. (Mt11:28)

Others may tell us not to bother the Lord with our troubles but that's just their own ignorance talking. We live in a "pull yourself up by the boot straps" kind of society. Perhaps they aren't aware that Jesus said, "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest." (Mt11:28) With that in mind, let's remember that when we cry out for relief from Jesus, the opinions of others don't matter. It's between us and the Lord.