God’s Grace to reach out to the Disabled from Luke 18:35-43

 God’s Grace to reach out to the Disabled from Luke 18:35-43

Gospel of Luke is one of the prominent and important Gospels in the New Testament which is concerned about lost and least ones in the society.  Luke’s Gospel always projects and gives more importance to unauthorized people in the society. Luke has message to all kinds of people in the society, Like visually challenged person, women, children, crippled persons, people living with disabilities and etc. This Gospel is fully filled with accuracy, balanced sentences and distinguished literary works. At the outset Luke addresses to Theophilus.  However Luke did not intend the Gospel merely for theophilus but undoubtedly wrote it for gentile converts in general.  Hence he gives numerous episodes of the Gentile converts.

Now I am going to deal about the miracle of Jesus which has occurred on the way to Jericho. This particular passage focuses, primarily an Christological focus which the ‘Son of David’. This incident has been occurred in the outskirt of Jericho.  Names are unusual in Gospel episodes, so both the location on the outskirts of Jericho and the name of the visually challenged person is bartimaeus have been seen as marks of later development.

Jericho was the first city of the Jordan to be conquered by the Israelites under Joshua in Old Testament times which is mentioned in Joshua 2:3.  In New Testament times, it was a rich and flourishing town, having a considerable trade and filled with palm trees. There are different pen names have been given to Jericho such as fenced city; city of fragrance and etc.  It was one of the modern cities in those times. When Jesus on the way to Jerusalem, he visited Jericho, because, Jericho is one of the ways which connects Jerusalem, so he preferred this way to go Jerusalem. When he entered into the Jericho, he was crowded with people and going to Jerusalem. This incident has been mentioned in all three Gospels, Mathew 20:30, Mark 10:46 and Luke 18:35

The writer of the Gospel used different Greek terms to refer the poor like penne, tochos and anawin. Particularly in this chapter, Luke used Greek term tochos which means beggar. This blind person could be categorized as beggar. The writer wanted to show his identity and profession of a person. This poor visually challenged man sat by the wayside, begging. It doesn’t seem that he was not only person was sitting there, other men also sitting and begging.  The people were rushing, shouting and making noise over there. Hearing the noise of a multitude passing by, he asked what it’s happening here. Those who do not have sight find things better use of their hearing and asking questions nearby people, this man is not exceptional from these.  From this passage I want to highlight three things firstly.

Recognition

He was a courageous man. He had courage in his mind, but people were asking him to keep quiet. He was asking to the people what’s happening here. They said Jesus of Nazareth is passing by. Suddenly he recognized Jesus as Jesus of Nazareth. The Hebrew word for Nazerite is Nazir which means one who had taken a vow of consecration. The term Nazareth not only affirms the human identity of Jesus but it also speaks about the Nazarite vow. The Nazarite signifies that Jesus was fully separated for God’s mission. This man recognized Jesus, without any hesitation he tries to call him. When I was thinking about this incident, one story was striking me, there was a person named Archie, he was small and 4 year old child he had one elder brother and one older sister. Three of them planned to go swimming pool, they started by walking, where his brother and sister were walkinq```g fast, as he could not walk fast as they walked, somehow they reached place and swimming in the water, but Archie did not know how to swim, he was standing aside these two making fun of him.  Afterwards, they came and wanted to climb a mountain.

This time Archie walks fast like them. At certain point, one voice was heard, they realized that is wolf, they were feared, frustrated and panicked. Except Archie, two of them hid behind the tree.  Suddenly wolf came and trying to attack him, he does not know what to do. Suddenly he thought if I cry loudly this wolf will get rid of this place with courage, he was crying without space, then that wolf has come to know as if this man would kill him.  Archie faced what he feared and learned how to be strong.  Likewise this visually challenged man had courage in his mind, that he would be healed by Jesus. People were shouting at him to keep quiet, but he did not feel ashamed of this and recognized the presence of Jesus. Moreover he had courage that Jesus Would recognize him. In order for us to understand this episode it is an important to look into the overall theology of Luke. Luke highlights his theology in this chapter, ‘Good News to the poor’. Luke primarily relates Jesus’ mission to the poor

Reaction

Secondly reaction takes place in this passage. As soon as he recognized Jesus, he attempted to reach out to Jesus by calling the name, Son of David, have mercy on me. Why did the blind man call Jesus, Son of David? The title son of David is a messianic title used to depict the royal lineage of Davidic Messiah, Jesus expected, that messiah would come in the time of David. Luke’s use of the word resonates with his notice that, Joseph was from the Son of David and the promise at Jesus’ birth that the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end. This blind man’s use of this title also prepares the readers for the royal overtones of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem. He tried to catch the attention of Jesus but people told him to keep quiet. Again he cried out and said Son of David, Have mercy on me! Here the Gospel writer used Greek Word Krazo which means cry out. He cried for his recovery.  He thought most probably that Jesus would listen and heal his blind.  He does not bother about what others were saying, but he was confident and courageous to get healing from Jesus. 

Most of the times, we believe, people living with disabilities don’t have courage and confidence in their lives but actually they are more stronger and confident than us, like wise this poor visually challenged man, had confidence, I would get healing from Jesus. At this time I want to share one of the incidents, that has happened few weeks ago, I think you might have seen it in the face book and what’s app that is, one visually challenged woman named Beno Zephine, from rural village, she has been appointed as higher official in Indian government.  While she was trying to get the job, People said different things about her and she was discouraged by them, saying as a person without vision, how she would be appointed as higher officials in Indian government and it will be shame for us.  But she did not lose her confident, but she had confident and got succeeded what she wanted to be.  My dear friends, we should have clear mind to understand and support the people who are living with disability. They too have courage and confidence in their lives. This poor visually challenged man had confidence, Jesus would heal me and I will be witness to him, he reacted to get that. It is not clear whether the blind perceived this implication or not. However, his reorganization of Jesus as the Son of David is significant in this situation.  

Restoration

          Finally we can see in this passage, Restoration takes place. After hearing this visually challenged man’s voice, Jesus did not go further; he turned and asked him what shall I do for you? Or what do you want from me? He said that, I want to see again. Here restoration takes place. This blind man was not blind from birth itself but he might have lost his vision earlier stage. That’s why he said I want to see again (in verse 41). Then Jesus said, let your wish to be fulfilled, he got vision. Jesus consoling this person to get consolidate and stronger in the society.  He had compassion and empathized himself with him. Here in the mission of Jesus was restorative. One of the functions of Jesus’ mission was to restore the sight to the blind as recorded in Luke 4:18. By restoring the eye sight Luke wanted to highlight the fulfillment of Jesus’ mission to the poor and blind. The mission of Jesus was fully committed to the poor.  All over the world, 10 percent of people are living with disabilities, said by world health organization.  From these most of them are discriminated and thrown out from the society.  And most of them forced to do menial jobs and involving in begging.  Most of the time, they are not visible in the society. Out of these some of them only getting education from government, and other organizations like Christian and non Christian institutions. As a Christian theologians and pastors, what is our concern towards this, do we have compassionate heart to look and care for them, and do we have eyes to see what’s happening around us. We should have compassionate heart and serve for them in their lives that will be greater and effective mission to them.  They are not unambitious and unfocused people; they too have ambition and focus in their hearts. Let us respect their values and rights.

 

Conclusion

Let me conclude one of the inspiring statements made by, Martin Luther king junior, who fought for the emancipation for the black people in America, he said “Darkness cannot drive out Darkness: Only Light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: Only Love can do that. Love is the force capable of transforming an enemy into Friend”. My dear friends, our God calls us to be a light and show our Love to People Living with Disabilities. God’s grace is equal to everyone without discrimination so, let us show, mercy and grace to the marginalized segments in the society which would enlighten them to understand and realize God’s presence through us. May the Triune Lord help and make us to be a channel to reach out the discriminated ones in the society. Amen!