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.
Dear Kari, I have just read your last two blogs, now in July, and I appreciated them. You do need God-given patience to live and get around in a huge city. We found that out in Sao Paulo, Brazil. We also experience it when we drive thru Mpls. at times. The last time was a couple weeks ago. It was a Saturday a.m. and beautiful weather so we thot all would go well going thru headed for Alexandria, MN, to Mt. Carmel Bible Camp. Not to be–traffic was held up mainly because of road repair which closed all but ONE land for quite a ways. We ended up getting off the freeway for a VERY necessary potty break! We were thankful for the Vet Clinic that has a b/room!!
Sorry you didn’t hardly get to see your friends that day.
People are alike all around the world! Just as you find folks in Seattle who pretend to be homeless, we found the same in Mexico where a truck from a farm would bring mothers w/tiny babies and leave them on street corners to beg for the day. They knew (or hoped) that tourists would feel sorry for them and give more money to them. The heart without God is sinful beyond what we can even imagine.
It was good to hear that you feel you are growing in Christ thru the daily things in your life that, I feel sure, must be really trying and frustrating. (By the way, we haven’t been praying for you to have patience!)
Grandpa had his eyes checked this a.m. and will soon have a cataract removed that has been hindering his eye sight. Otherwise we are both well and experiencing God’s loving care in our lives.
I am so glad for you and Jeff that your folks will be coming to visit you soon. It will be good for them too and I’m glad your Dad can experience first-hand where you live, work and play!
We continue to pray for you and Jeff. We also miss you two and not having encounters at times espec. like on your birthday!
So we look forward to Lindsay coming in August and hearing and seeing photos of the work she is involved with there. We will miss not having you and Jeff as we gather together for that.
We commend you to God and into his loving provision and leading in your lives. With much love, Grandma (and Grandpa)