Attract or Repel

Gospel: Luke 18: 35-43

If the crowd and the disciples had their way this blind man in today's Gospel would not have had his sight restored, would not have become a follower of Jesus and seen the works of redemption.  But as is the case with every other encounter like this one, Jesus rejects the narrow thinking of the crowd and his disciples.  He comes to meet this blind man, and he provides for his needs both physical and spiritual.  

How often is it the case that the crowd and the disciples of today seek to prevent others from experiencing the healing of Jesus in their lives! Consider the many barriers and requirements we establish that deter people from having a relationship with Jesus.  But notice in the Gospels how easy it is to meet Jesus; he goes out of his way to meet others and talk with them.  It does not matter who you are or what condition you are in or even if others try to prevent him from meeting you.  Jesus finds a way each and every time.

Those in religion bristle at those who identify as "spiritual but not religious."  But consider the fact that this may be the way Jesus is seeking them out and meeting them because we who are "religious" have sought to block his way to them and deter them from meeting him at all.  Jesus enjoins us to make straight the path to God, not be a roadblock.