Receiving the kingdom like a child, the rich young ruler, and the blind man.
I think today I want to focus on the blind man, but before I do that, I should probably mention the other parts of Luke 18, even if it’s just to help me remember what’s in there. A child doesn’t earn anything (in our society), they are provided for by adults, everything they receive is “gifted” to them. Of course children don’t see it this way, they feel entitled to help from parents and other adults, and in most cases they are right. We owe it to our children to provide for them.
There seems to be a parallel between human and spiritual childhood here. Everything I receive from God is a gift, even when I think I “deserve” it. And God refers to himself as our Father, saying that He will provide every good thing for us. Therefore, I cannot earn my way into the kingdom…I must receive it as a gift, just like everything else I receive from God. I receive my day-to-day life, my health, my income, my occupation, my spouse, my friends, my wisdom and whatever else I have…all of it is a gift. “Lord, I am so thankful for everything you have given to me, don’t ever let me become entitled or selfish, and keep me ever thankful”
The rich young ruler has a problem, as I have discussed before. Jesus hints at it by leaving the command out of the commandments he quotes. “Do not covet”. In every recording of this event that command is missing. Sometimes it is replaced with another thought, but coveting isn’t ever mentioned. I think that’s because it’s the one the ruler was guilty of. Coveting seems to find a home in our lives when greed and un-thankfulness combine. I would say it comes from greed, but I also think it’s hard to be greedy when you are thankful.
And now for today’s thought on the blind man. It actually goes along with the idea that everything from God is a gift. What did the blind man receive? He received sight. After He heals the man, Jesus says “your faith has healed you”, which isn’t the whole story, is it? Actually, God spoke his healing into existence because of his faith. When the blind man was still blind, he cried out in faith and Jesus came and provided sight.
I think that’s a great metaphor for how Christianity works. I can’t “rescue” myself, but if I call out the right name, then the Creator of the Universe, the Great Physician, the King of all Kings…comes to my aid and rescues me. It’s a gift. A gift that I specifically requested. The same is true for everything I receive from Christ. I don’t have it, I cry out in faith and God provides. It might be knowledge that I need, it might be the right words for a situation, it may be that I need another rescue from physical or spiritual danger…the pattern is always the same. I cry out “Jesus, Son of David please help me” and God comes to the rescue.
Actually, I only have to use that particular title for Jesus the first time I cry out. When I am spiritually blind and suddenly recognize it, I mean, before I invite God into my life, before I become a Christian. Anytime after that, I can simply say “Father” or “Dad”.
It has a nice ring to it. Right?
In His Kingdom,
PR