Why Jesus Ordered that the blind man should be brought to him?

Gospel Thoughts

33rd Week : Monday

GOSPEL Lk 18:35-43

First Reading -Rv 1:1-4; 2:1-5

*Why Jesus Ordered that the blind man should be brought to him?*

*1) Jesus Always goes near to the sick*

We have many examples where Jesus practically goes near to the sick people. Some examples would be 

Jesus went near to the mother in law of Peter inorder to cure her from fever 

Jesus went to Jairus' house to heal his daughter 

Jesus went to Zacchaues' house, which brought about a great change in him 

Jesus first went near to Matthew and then he went to his house 

Jesus went to the tomb of Lazaus and raised him from the dead. 

*2) Jesus didn't go near to the blind man - He was brought near to Jesus*

In Today's Gospel we see that, Jesus does not go near to the blind man 

As He hears the shouting of the blind man, Jesus stops on the middle of the road and asks people to bring the blind man to Him 

Why Jesus does this perticular act? 

Is there any deeper meaning in it? 

Why Jesus didn't go near to the blind man? 

Answer to these questions will reveal that there is a deeper meaning in what Jesus did. 

*3) Jesus makes the man to come into the middle of the crowd*

The very fact Jesus asks the people to bring him near to Jesus, the blind man becomes the important person in the crowd. 

So far he was outside the crowd. He had no place in the crowd. He was pushed to the periphery or to the corner.

Now this gesture of Jesus makes the man to come into the main fold. 

He takes a important place in the crowd. 

All people are able to recognize this blind man 

So first of all he was given a prominent place in the crowd by this simple gesture

*4) Our mission is to bring people to Jesus*

Those who were able to see, they brought the blind man to Jesus. 

By asking people to bring him near to Jesus, Jesus is teaching a good lesson to the people that, the primary mission involves in bringing people to Jesus 

Specially those who are  good spiritual life, must help those who are not good in spiritual life to bring them to Jesus 

Those who are rich must help the poor to come up in life. 

So bringing people to Jesus is the main mission of a Christian. 

*5) Identify those who are in the periphery and bring them to the middle*

Blind man was at the periphery or in the corner. He was identified by Jesus and brought back to the main fold. 

Identify those who are at the periphery and given them some importance and opportunities, they will come up in life. 

Never to push them to periphery, because they are poor, disabled, sick, illiterate, not looking good. 

*6) Willingness of the blind man to move towards Jesus*

Whatever may be our situation, we need to do little hardwork, if we want to come up in life. 

It was not a automatic healing for the blind man. He had to get up and come to Jesus for a healing. He did it and he was able to see. 

*7) The blind man was helped by many*

In the process of coming to Jesus, the blind man was helped by many. 

It was not that he was able to come to Jesus by his own efforts, but many people helped him to come to Jesus. 

It is clear that, when some one wishes to come to Jesus, there are many people who will help us in the process. 

So we are not alone in the process of coming to Jesus. We must be thankful to all people who help us in the process of coming to Jesus

*8) We need to play two roles in our lives*

First of all we must help those who show a genuine interest to come to Jesus. This is our primary mission 

Secondly, we need to show a little willingness to go to Jesus, or need to do little hard work in order to move towards Jesus. 

*Am I ready to play these two roles?*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*