Jesus had compassion on [the two blind men] and touched their eyes. Matthew 20:34

Years ago, while in training to be a Boy Scout camp counselor, I had to go rock climbing — blindfolded. The height alone petrified me, but the thought of attempting to climb without being able to see turned my stomach into cement. I felt desperate and was utterly dependent on the others. I slipped. Reaching up, I couldn’t grasp the next handhold. Dangling blind from the side of a cliff, I didn’t care if people knew that I was vulnerable and couldn’t make it alone. Eve though secured by ropes I felt terrified that I was about to fall. Then I heard the deep, confident voice of my teammate cutting through my fear, giving me the directions I needed to find the handhold.

Much like me in my situation, the only thing that the two blind men on the road to Jericho could “see” was their problem, their helplessness. Desperate, they only shouted louder when the crowd tried to quiet them. Just as I had to tune out everything but my teammate’s voice, the blind men had to focus on Jesus and not let the condemning voices or their helpless state deter them.  When the blind men ignored the crowd and focused on Jesus, he heard and responded. Their turning to him in complete vulnerability freed God to work. In the same way, when we call out in our need, God will hear us and respond to our cry.

Dear God, help us to see our weakness, to center on your voice above the noise of the crowd, and to completely depend on you. Amen.