A couple of years ago I went to the eye doctor to get some new glasses. Well they dilated my eyes and then did the eye exam. After my eyes were dilated, I was asked to pick out my pair of glasses. Well if you have ever had your eyes dilated you know that it is impossible to see anything up close.
I remember after I got home I tried to watch some T.V. and then gave up because I could not focus on the screen. I remember feeling so grateful when my normal eye sight returned and praised God for the marvelous gift of sight.
One of the most well known hymns, “Amazing Grace” in its first verse ends “I once was lost, but now I’m found was blind, but now I see.”[i] As a Christian, in our lifetime we experience spiritual blindness and spiritual regaining of our sight. You see, there are times in our lives where our spiritual eyes are dilated and we are unable to focus on Christ in our midst.
Most often spiritual blindness occurs when we put ourselves first. We became fixated on doing the things we feel like we have to do and lose sight of the things God would have us do. When we experience spiritual blindness we may find ourselves more on edge, more anxious, and more depressed.
I think the thing I love the most about our gospel lesson from Mark for this Sunday is that a blind man was the one who was able to recognize Christ even though he could not see. You see this blind man, Bartimaeus, was waiting for Christ and when he heard that he was nearby he had to do everything in his power to be near him. People were trying to silence him, but he would not let that stop him from encountering the living Christ.
Come hear more this Sunday!
[i] The United Methodist Hymnal.
Prayer:
Living Christ, Eternal High Priest, help us to recognize you at work in the world today. Help us not get stuck in spiritual blindness where hope seems fleeting. Help us to hold onto your promise of eternal life through our faith in Jesus Christ. Amen.
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