Mark 10:46-52
Jesus was passing through Jericho, a popular resort city built by Herod, where Bartimaeus was begging for food because he was blind. He called out to Jesus “Son of David, have mercy on me!” Jesus responed and asked Bartimaeus to come, he asked “What do you want me to do for you?”. “Teacher,” the blind man said, “I want to see!” Jesus said, “Go your way. Your faith has healed you.” Instantly the blind could see. Then Bartimaeus followed Jesus down the road.
I was reading the study notes and the commentaries said that many who were disabled/crippled/blind could not find work, because the work in those days were mainly physical labor. With that type of work many with those conditions mentioned above chose to beg. It stated that they went to big cities to beg because more people would pass through.
Many people know that Seattle is one of the largest cities in North America and has one of the highest percentage of homeless. But are they really homeless? I was informed that there are some homeless who live in a home with a group of people, a van will pick them up, and bring them to “their” corners to beg. I was shocked but not really surprised, because early on a father of one of my clients said that many will false advertise (the signs many of the homeless hold up) to bring in more money.
But I was confused as to why some would chose to subject themselves to a lifestyle of judgment, standing outside all day on a corner, and lie to the public about being homeless. The same couple told me that they knew a “homeless” women, who confessed that she made $100,000 a year and didn’t really need the money! Then why is she doing it?! The confusion for me is then how do we know who is really homeless or not – or how do we help even the those who claim to be but aren’t?
I just didn’t understand, until I read Mark 10:46-52. Jesus would heal and he to be a vessel so that he might heal those around us. I know that this specific gentleman, or any other homeless/”homeless” need to be healed by Jesus. I understand that if they don’t know Christ and have a relationship with Him, then of course they would continue to do what they are doing.
So pray with me, please. For our body of Christ out here in Seattle and everywhere else. That we would really get to know people in our communities and not just assume they are ok, but that we have a gift to give them. That gift is Jesus Christ, the one who heals. The one who loves. Pray that we can get past judgment and find out what people really need. That we wouldn’t enable people but that Christ would save people.
