Begin with two minutes of stillness and silence before God.

Happy Wednesday! Have you been enjoying our discussions on how to be salt and light? I know I sure have. Today, our journey brings us back to the Book of Matthew, into a story where we see Jesus encounter two men who were in desperate need of His healing. This passage beautifully illustrates our Lord’s compassion and His power. Let’s dive in.

As Jesus and His disciples left Jericho, a large crowd followed them. Suddenly, two blind men sitting by the roadside heard that Jesus was passing by. They cried out to Jesus, saying, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!” The crowd tried to hush them, but they shouted even louder.

There was no way they were going to let Jesus pass by without making themselves known. They needed Him.

And surely enough, Jesus heard. He stops His walk, calls out to them, and says, “What do you want me to do for you?” They’ve probably been thinking all day about how they would answer that question. With all the hope and passion they could muster, they say, “Lord, we want our sight.” Moved with compassion (have you caught the theme yet?), Jesus touched their eyes, and immediately they received their sight and followed Him.

What. A. Story.

I’m blown away by the persistence of the blind men. Despite the crowd’s attempts to silence them, they kept calling out to Jesus. They recognized who He was and knew that He could change their lives.

Their desperation turned into determination, and it got Jesus’ attention.

I also love Jesus’ question to them. “What do you want me to do for you?”

If you’re like me then you’re thinking, “Well, um… Jesus. Isn’t it obvious?”

The question may seem obvious, but it’s also deeply personal. Jesus invited the blind men to express their faith and make their needs known to the Savior. When they ask for their sight, Jesus doesn’t hesitate. He touches their eyes, and their world transforms in an instant.

So, where’s the “salt and light” in this story? First, being salt and light means being vocal about our faith and needs. The blind men were not afraid to call out loudly to Jesus, despite the crowd’s disapproval. Being salt and light requires us to be bold with our faith, to speak up about our relationship with Jesus, and to share our stories with others. Our boldness can inspire and encourage those around us who might be hesitant to seek Jesus themselves.

Second, being salt and light involves showing empathy and understanding. Jesus heard the cries of the blind men and responded with compassion. He didn’t dismiss their cries or tell them to be quiet; instead, He engaged with them directly. To be salt and light, we must allow Christ to develop in us a heart that listens and responds to the needs of others. This might mean stepping into someone’s pain and offering a listening ear or a comforting word.

And just like Jesus, as we lean more and more on Him, His love begins to shine more and more through us. Our hearts are opened, and we begin to hear and see the needs of the people in our families, communities, and workplaces.

So, who can you hear crying out?

Take two minutes to reflect in silence.

Reflection:

• How do you feel when it seems like your cries for help are being silenced or ignored? Do you persist or give up? 
• Who in your life is crying out for help right now? How can you show them the compassion of Jesus? 
• Have you experienced a moment when Jesus responded to your need in a way that has transformed your life? How has that impacted your faith? 
• Prayer: Father, thank You for always hearing my cries and responding with compassion. Help me to be persistent in faith and prayer, trusting that You are never too busy for me. Show me how to be a source of compassion and help to those around me. May I be Your hands and feet, bringing Your love to those in my area of influence. In Jesus’ name, amen.