Luke 18:39-40a (NLT) “Be quiet!” the people in front yelled at him. But he only shouted louder, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” When Jesus heard him, he stopped and ordered that the man be brought to him.

One day, Jesus and the disciples were approaching Jericho and when people heard that He was coming, a large crowd formed to see Him. There was a blind beggar on the side of the road who heard the noise of the crowd and asked someone what all the commotion was about. When he was told that Jesus was going by, he immediately began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” The people near him became annoyed at his shouting and told him to be quiet. But the more he was told to be quiet, the louder he shouted. Then Jesus heard him, and he stopped and asked that the blind beggar be brought to him.

Nobody was paying attention to this blind beggar. If anyone did have in mind to possibly give him some money, they were totally distracted by the fact that Jesus was in their vicinity. There was a great number of people, which one would think would increase the odds of some of them helping him out with some donations. But he got lost in the shuffle. It was as if he didn't exist. The only ones paying him any attention were the people telling him to be quiet. But this blind beggar had heard about Jesus, and he was not about to give up his only hope to ever be able to see. He had heard about the miracles that Jesus did and knew who He was. He called Jesus “Son of David,” a term in the Hebrew scriptures (the Old Testament) that was given to the promised Messiah that was to come. He was acknowledging who Jesus was as he shouted with all of his might. You may think that this is the reason why Jesus heard him, but have you ever been among a noisy crowd of people? You can't even hear yourself speak! But Jesus heard this poor, blind beggar's cries above the roar of the crowd. He heard the voice of someone who knew who He was and who was asking for help based on that knowledge. So He stopped for this one blind beggar, and He gave him his sight.

Don't ever think that Jesus is not hearing you when you call to Him. Don't ever think that Jesus is too busy with other people's needs to hear your voice when you cry out to Him. Jesus listens for the voice of the needy. He listens for the voice of those that believe who He is and that believe in what He can do. He hears your voice in the midst of all of the noise going on in the world that seems to drown out your lonely voice. Your voice crying out to Him in faith stands out to the Lord of your salvation. It cuts through the voices of the crowd, the voices of those that would rather that you be quiet about your need, and the voices that seem to want to drown out your weak voice. But be encouraged and do what this “nobody,” this blind beggar did and cry out to Jesus for your need. No matter the commotion that may be going on around you, Jesus will hear you when you call on Him!

Pastor Joey Vazquez