Devotion 30 October 2026

For we walk by faith, not by sight. 2 Corinthians 5: 7

READING: Mark 10: 46-52

On the face of it, this is a simple story of a blind beggar who called out to Jesus as He was passing, and He stopped and healed him.

But we can learn a few things from it.

Firstly, the blind man called out, "Jesus, Son of David have mercy on me!" (v 47). How did this blind beggar learn to believe that Jesus was the Messiah? Someone had told him the stories of Jesus. What a challenge! How many people know about Jesus because we told them about Him?

Secondly, we see the people around telling the beggar to be quiet. He was unimportant, and mustn’t bother Jesus. But Mark wrote Jesus instructed the crowd to "Call him here," and that when the people in the crowd heard Jesus, they quickly changed their attitude. Instead of being annoyed at him and rebuking him for his cries, they suddenly became friendly toward him and said, "Take courage, stand up! He is calling for you" (Mark 10:49). The second challenge here is to us – how often do we judge others by their appearance? How often do we ignore, or try to block the voices of those we think are not important?

Thirdly, we see Jesus’ response. When the blind man was before Him, Jesus asked him "What do you want Me to do for you?" (v 51). It seems obvious -he was blind, and Jesus was known to have the power to make the blind to see. But Jesus's question was personal and direct. It was dignifying. And it gave him an opportunity to express his faith in Him. Here is the extension of the second challenge identified above - do we give the ‘blind’ and the ‘beggars’ – the unimportant, inequipped people in our lives – the dignity of sharing their wishes, or expressing their opinion?

His cry revealed his desperation, hope, and faith. We rejoice that he was healed. And our final challenge is in his response. He followed Jesus. (v52) How often in our lives do we forget about God when things are going well? Do we thank Him and follow with the same intensity when times are good?

Prayer

Lord Jesus, we pray that we may see others through Your eyes, that our lives may be so filled with the joy of following You that Your grace may flow through us to others. In the name of Jesus we pray, Amen