The parable found in Luke 18:35-43 bears striking similarity to the parable we studied for the last two days. While many things stood out to me, I was most intrigued by the difference between the two. The reasons required for each participant to continue pleading in faith were intriguingly different.
In the parable of the widow and the judge, the judge simply ignored her. The account of the blind man, however, is no parable; it actually occurred. As the Savior walked past, the man heard the crowd and inquired as to the reason. When told that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he immediately recognized the name and cried out to the Lord. Note that he did not call the Lord by name, but addressed him as “Jesus, thou Son of David.” He recognized the Savior as more than a man.
While he called out to Christ, it was not Jesus who required the man to ask multiple times. Instead, it was the crowd who rebuked him for pleading with the Lord. They shushed him for raising his voice, for speaking to his God. But the man continued to cry out, and he was heard and healed.
I wonder how many times we are shushed in this day and age. We are, of course, permitted to pray; we need not worry about being cast to the lions if we speak to Heavenly Father. But modern influences seek to dissuade us from communing with God. The world encourages us to do it ourselves, to trust in the arm of the flesh. “The Lord helps those who help themselves” is an interesting and oft-repeated mantra that cannot be found in scripture. Now, I’m not saying that we should sit around and expect God to do everything for us, but certainly we should trust in and rely on Him.
There are times, too, when the rebuking voices might come from within. Perhaps we are a tad too prideful and think we can handle things without turning to a loving Heavenly Father who seeks to help us. Perhaps we refuse to acknowledge that we might need assistance or guidance. But as we take our troubles – even our minute daily challenges – to the Lord, He can help and inspire us.
Another thing that struck me in the passage was the vision of the blind man. Even though he could not cast his eyes upon Jesus, he knew that the Savior was more than a man, and he had faith to persevere despite the multitude. Only then, when he exercised his spiritual vision, did he receive physical blessings (in addition to the spiritual ones I am sure he received). So it is with us. As we exercise our spiritual muscles, we, too, can turn our eyes to the Lord and keep him in our line of vision. Only then can we receive both temporal and spiritual blessings.
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Gospel Doctrine: Physical and Spiritual Blindness