Jesus gives us an example: "Don't assume to know what others need".
I am touched by these two blind men who have created a community of two. Together they sit by the road - no doubt begging. Their families aren't taking care of them. The crowd wants them to be quiet. They are social rejects - their handicaps are embarrassments - even a sign of sin in that culture. There are no resources to help them - so they beg together.
I am also saddened by this large crowd who is "following Jesus." Physically they are following him. But spiritually, like most of us, they hardly get who Jesus is and what following him means. In fact, the crowd thinks they are doing Jesus a service by telling the men to be quiet!
Matthew 20:29-34 29 As they were leaving Jericho, a large crowd followed Jesus. 30 There were two blind men sitting by the roadside. When they heard that Jesus was passing by, they shouted, "Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!" 31 The crowd sternly ordered them to be quiet; but they shouted even more loudly, "Have mercy on us, Lord, Son of David!" 32 Jesus stood still and called them, saying, "What do you want me to do for you?" 33 They said to him, "Lord, let our eyes be opened." 34 Moved with compassion, Jesus touched their eyes. Immediately they regained their sight and followed him.
No doubt that Jesus knows what the needs of these men are better than they do! But he doesn't just fix their problem. He asks what they need - what they want him to do. This is significant! It shows respect for these men. And it shows us an example. Jesus demonstrates a desire to walk alongside them rather than assuming we know what is best for them.
Remember those missionaries - those "followers of Jesus" - who went to Haiti after the disaster there to confiscate children and take them out of the country where they would put them up for adoption? Apparently the government of Haiti didn't want these "followers of Jesus" to take their children. The "followers of Jesus" offered "help" that wasn't wanted. Jesus didn't do this. He asked.
The crowd "following Jesus" passing by these two men has assumed they know what is best - and that is for these two men to be quiet. But Jesus shows the men respect and asks, "How can I help?" When we encounter people with needs (and aren't all of us needy in some way?), do we ask what the other needs from us or do we assume we know and force on them our solutions?
Do we ignore the respect Jesus shows to those in need? If we followed Jesus' example, how would we approach society's problems? How would we approach the needs of our friends and loved ones?
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