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REACHING THE POOR
At Ease With the Blind (PDF)
- Requires listening for Jesus' voice (Luke 18:35-38; John 8:47)
- Seeing people on the margins (Luke 18:39-42; Proverbs 22:22-23; Hidden Barriers)
- Following Jesus' lead (Luke 18:43; Quotes; Matthew 26:11; Quote; Luke 6:20; Pics)
Luke 18:35-38
35 As Jesus approached Jericho, a blind beggar was sitting beside the road. 36 When he heard the noise of a crowd going past, he asked what was happening. 37 They told him that Jesus the Nazarene was going by. 38 So he began shouting, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!"
John 8:47
47 Anyone who belongs to God listens gladly to the words of God. But you don't listen because you don't belong to God.
Luke 18:39-42
39 "Be quiet!" the people in front yelled at him. But he only shouted louder, "Son of David, have mercy on me!" 40 When Jesus heard him, he stopped and ordered that the man be brought to him. As the man came near, Jesus asked him, 41 "What do you want me to do for you?" "Lord," he said, "I want to see!" 42 And Jesus said, "All right, receive your sight! Your faith has healed you."
Proverbs 22:22-23
22 Don't rob the poor just because you can, or exploit the needy in court. 23 For the LORD is their defender. He will ruin anyone who ruins them.
Hidden Barriers
Inferiority - Blind people are not inferior just because they have limited abilities. Give blind people the benefit of the doubt concerning their abilities
Pity - Blind people don’t want you to feel sorry for them. What they are looking for is a chance to be independent
Hero worship - Some people treat the blind with special attention which they don’t want. The blind don’t desire a lot of attention. They want to lead a normal life
Fear - Many people are afraid they will do or say the “wrong” thing around a blind person. Because of this fear, they simply avoid the individual. Meeting and becoming friends with someone who is blind will enrich your life
Stereotypes - Many people believe blind individuals have a keener sense of smell and hearing. Others assume the blind can’t speak for themselves or are also deaf and must be spoken to in a loud or overly distinct voice. Use a normal tone of voice when addressing blind people (Source: At Ease With the Blind provided by Christian Record Services for the Blind p.12)
Luke 18:43
43 Instantly the man could see, and he followed Jesus, praising God. And all who saw it praised God, too.
Emperor Julian (331 - 363 AD)
Why do we not observe that it is their benevolence to strangers that have done most to increase Christianity? For it is disgraceful that when no Jew ever has to beg, and the impious Galileans support not only their own poor but ours as well, all men see that our people lack aid from us. — The Works of the Emperor Julian (Loeb Classical Library, New York: G.P. Putnam’s Sons,1923) pp.69,71
Tim Keller
An integrative ministry means weaving together word and deed ministry as much as possible. When Jesus raised the dead son of the widow of Nain, he spoke words of comfort (Luke 7:13). After he healed the blind man, he returned with a gospel charge (John 9:35-38). These go hand in hand. — Center Church: Doing Balanced, Gospel-Centered Ministry in Your City, p.327
Matthew 26:11
11 You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.
Ellen White
There are many who urge with great enthusiasm that all men should have an equal share in the temporal blessings of God. But this was not the purpose of the Creator. A diversity of condition is one of the means by which God designs to prove and develop character. Yet He intends that those who have worldly possessions shall regard themselves merely as stewards of His goods, as entrusted with means to be employed for the benefit of the suffering and the needy. Christ has said that we shall have the poor always with us, and He unites His interest with that of His suffering people. — Welfare Ministry, p.175
Luke 6:20
20 Then Jesus turned to his disciples and said, "God blesses you who are poor, for the Kingdom of God is yours."
A Poor Faith?
· It was faith that wanted Jesus
· It was faith that knew who He was
· It was faith that knew what he deserved from Jesus
· It was faith that could tell Jesus what it wanted
· It was faith that could call Jesus Lord
(from David Guzik)