Definition for today:
Eleeṓ : Greek word often translated as have mercy on.
Eleeṓ: the concrete expression of pity and compassion for the destitute or those in misery which undertakes to mollify or remove their suffering (Key-Word Study Bible NIV, p. 1721).
[Keep this definition in mind as you read this familiar story- Luke 18:35-43.]
My paraphrase:
He sat right outside the city gates begging for coins, bread, anything strangers would give him. His eyes could no longer see. Perhaps he had always been blind; we don’t know. But we do know that Jesus was heading his way. Though the blind man could not see Him, he could hear the crowd, and He knew something or someone important was entering
Jericho. And so he asked, “What’s happening?”
“Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.”
This was his cue. He yelled at the top of his lungs, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”
Unashamed. What do you have to lose when you’ve got nothing anyway? So, despite the rebukes from those leading the parade, he kept yelling his petition until Jesus responded.
“What do you want me to do for you?” asked the one who created eyes.
I wonder if the crowd was silenced by the question. Did all of Jerichohush as they waited for the blind man’s response? Was the air filled with anticipation of a miracle?
“Lord, I want to see,” he replied.
Why do we make prayer hard?
“Receive your sight; your faith has healed you.”
How many of us ask; Jesus answers, but we never receive his eleeṓ? His tangible mercythat heals and restores.
I know it doesn’t seem that simple today so many years away from the days when Jesus walked the dusty roads in Israel. But I wonder what would happen if we cried out for eeleṓ and trusted in the character and goodness of our God to receive His healing whether it becomes tangible in this world or not. We are healed. Somehow. Somewhere. Healed. Oh that we might believe and receive.
Something to chew on today.
What are your thoughts on healing?
Much grace and peace,
andy
