Are You Able

Matthew 9: 27-31

“27 As Jesus went on from there, two blind men followed him, calling out, “Have mercy on us, Son of David!” 28 When he had gone indoors, the blind men came to him, and he asked them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” “Yes, Lord,” they replied. 29 Then he touched their eyes and said, “According to your faith let it be done to you”; 30 and their sight was restored. Jesus warned them sternly, “See that no one knows about this.” 31 But they went out and spread the news about him all over that region.”

There is an old hymn that I remember singing as a child in church that has been in my head all of these years.  The refrain of this song says:

“Lord, we are able. Our spirits are thine. 

Remold them, make us, like thee, divine. 

Thy guiding radiance above us shall be 

a beacon to God, to love, and loyalty. “

(Are Ye Able, UMH #530)

In the scripture above we read about two blind men who reached out to Jesus.  Even in their physical blindness, they were able; able to see the spiritual truth of who Jesus is and what he can do.  

Blindness was a common problem in Palestine during the time of Jesus due to various diseases and infections, and lack of good hygiene.  The two blind men that followed Jesus called out to him, but Jesus did not respond immediately.  He waited until he was inside, in private, to address them alone.

At some point in our spiritual lives, we must encounter Jesus alone.  And we must privately decide if Jesus is who people say He is.  He will ask us “Do you believe I am able?”  

And if we answer yes, and if we are sincere in our answer, our eyes will be opened. But the spiritual life is about more than just seeing.  

At some point Christ will ask us, “Are you able?”

May the love of Christ be with you,

Rev. Eric Lanier (Retired)