When Jesus Stops

Welcome to today's encouragement from Our Daily Bread.

Our reading titled, When Jesus Stops was written by Karen Huang. For days the sickly cat cried, huddled in a box near my workplace. Abandoned on the street, the feline went unnoticed by many who passed by it, until June came along. The street sweeper carried the animal home where he lived with two dogs, which were former strays. I care for them, because they're the creatures no one notices, June said.

I see myself in them. No one notices a street sweeper, after all. In Luke chapter 18, as Jesus walked toward Jericho on his way to Jerusalem, a blind man set begging by the roadside. He felt unnoticed, too. And on this day especially, when a crowd was passing through and all eyes were focused on Christ, no one stopped to help the beggar. No one except Jesus. In the midst of the clamoring crowd, he heard the forgotten man's cry.

What do you want me to do for you? Christ asked, and he received the heartfelt reply, Lord, I want to see. Then Jesus said, Receive your sight. Your faith has healed you. Do we feel unnoticed at times?

Are our cries drowned out by people who seem to matter more than us? Our Savior notices those the world doesn't care to notice. Call to Him for help, while others may pass us by.

He'll stop for us. Today's Our Daily Bread devotional scripture reading is from Luke chapter 18, verses 35 through 43. As Jesus approached Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging. When he heard the crowd going by, he asked what was happening. They told him, Jesus of Nazareth is passing by. He called out, Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me.

Those who led the way rebuked him and told him to be quiet. But he shouted all the more, Son of David, have mercy on me. Jesus stopped and ordered the man to be brought to him. When he came near, Jesus asked him, What do you want me to do for you?

Lord, I want to see, he replied. Jesus said to him, receive your sight. Your faith has healed you. Immediately, he received his sight and followed Jesus, praising God.

When all the people saw it, they also praised God. Let's pray. Dear Jesus, thank you for hearing us when we call to you. Just like the blind man who received his sight, help us to follow and praise you all our lives. It's in your name that we pray. Amen. Thanks for listening today. My name is Rachelle Traub, and today's encouragement was provided by Our Daily Bread Ministries.