Cry Out to Jesus

35As Jesus approached Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging. 36When he heard the crowd going by, he asked what was happening. 37They told him, "Jesus of Nazareth is passing by."
38He called out, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!"
39Those who led the way rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!"
40Jesus stopped and ordered the man to be brought to him. When he came near, Jesus asked him, 41"What do you want me to do for you?"
"Lord, I want to see," he replied.
42Jesus said to him, "Receive your sight; your faith has healed you." 43Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus, praising God. When all the people saw it, they also praised God.

What do I believe about Jesus? Do I believe that he is the risen Son of God? Do I believe that he is fully God and fully man? And what do I believe about God?

If God had the tender love to touch me and heal me alone in my bed at night 22 years ago in an unmistakable act of mercy, then I have no question about His existence, His promises or all that the Bible says.

How can I take that same knowing, that same trust, that same unmistakable witness and apply it to my innate understanding of hope?

The blind beggar had presumably lived all of his life with his physical condition. There, sitting alongside the road to Jericho, he takes a risk, unfounded on any certainty. It was a gamble, this Jesus of Nazareth, who was passing by. Was he who people say he was? Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. But the man couldn’t see. He had to take a risk. To the ire of those leading the parade, the blind man called out to Jesus, the hope he couldn’t see. His cry wasn’t for money, for fame, for selfish ambition, for vengeance. He cried for mercy, for the restoration of the sight that his body could not provide.

Sometimes, it’s not what you see on the outside of a person that causes the pain. It may not be the obvious frailty, physical affliction, addiction, or loss. Sometimes it’s the uncertainty that exists within that has no root in the world. It’s a sense of foreboding, an emptiness of self-worth, a fallen self-esteem, a disappointment in self. Unfortunately, that’s a reflection of self-absorption. Of failing to look at the author and finisher of our faith.

In any case, the answer is the same. Sitting alone at the side of the road of life, lost in pain that seems all too real, we reach out with our voice and call to the One who loved us so much He gave His life for us. “Help me, Master. I’m stuck, I’m fallen, I’m hurting, I’m helpless, I’m hopeless, I’ve let myself down, other people have let me down, the world has let me down, I need You.”

Third Day sings this song on their album, Wherever You Are

To everyone who's lost someone they love
Long before it was their time
You feel like the days
You had were not enough
When you said goodbye

And to all of the people
With Burdens and Pains
Keepin' you back from your lives
You believe there is nothing
And there is no one
Who can make it right

There is hope for the helpless
Rest for the weary
And love for the broken heart
And there is grace and forgiveness
Mercy and healing
He'll meet you wherever you are
Cry out to Jesus
Cry out to Jesus

For the marraige that's struggling
Just to hang on
They've lost all of their
Faith and love
And they've done all they can
To make it right again
Still it's not enough

For ones who can't break
The addictions and chains
Who try to get up
But you crawl back again
Just remember that you're
Not alone in your shame
And your suffering

There is hope for the helpless
Rest for the weary
And love for the broken heart
And there is grace and forgiveness
Mercy and healing
He'll meet you wherever you are
Cry out to Jesus
Cry out to Jesus
Cry out to Jesus

When you're lonely
And it feels like
The whole world is fallin' on you
You just reach out
You just cry out
To Jesus
Cry to Jesus

To the widow
Who suffers from being alone
Wipin' the tears from her eyes
And for the children
Around the world
Without a home
Say a prayer tonight

There is hope for the helpless
Rest for the weary
And love for the broken heart
And there is grace and forgiveness
Mercy and healing
He'll meet you wherever you are

There is hope for the helpless
Rest for the weary
And love for the broken heart
And there is grace and forgiveness
Mercy and healing
He'll meet you wherever you are
Cry out to Jesus
Cry out to Jesus

Oh cry out to Jesus
Cry to Jesus

Lord, give me the strength and clarity to cry out to you when I’m hurting, or afraid, or missing the peace and confidence of God’s providence in my life. May I cry out to Jesus, no matter what anyone thinks or says. May I seek only your face and your touch and your love. In your name I pray. Amen.