"The Blind See"
August 4, 2017
Luke 6:39 - He (Jesus) also told them a parable: "Can a blind man lead a blind man? Will they not both fall into a pit?"
A number of years ago I had the opportunity to work at a retreat for children who were blind.
The experience brought me into contact with some youngsters who were exceptional. That being said, there were a few students who were remarkably exceptional. I say they were remarkable because these children had an uncanny sense of direction and a memory that left the average person in the dust. It seemed once these kids had become acquainted with a place, they could remember it for a good long time.
On the street, they could remember stores and steps and breaks in the sidewalk. In a room, they could recall the placement of tables, chairs, wastebaskets, and microphone stands. Unbelievable!
A few years ago, I heard about a blind adult who possessed similar skills.
The man had lived in a small town his entire life and had developed a pretty good sense of where he was. With his cane touching sidewalk, fence, tree, and curb, he could navigate just about anywhere. One day, at the time this man normally was headed home, his pastor saw him walking in the other direction.
When the pastor asked the man where he was going, the blind man affirmed, "I'm headed home." It took some doing before the pastor was able to convince the man that each step he made was taking him farther from his destination. Eventually, the man who could not see believed the man who could. He got turned around and began to walk towards home.
That story, my friends, is a pretty good example of what Lutheran Hour Ministries and your Synod and your own congregation are trying to do.
You see, we're surrounded by people who are pretty spectacular. Many of these folk are good individuals. Some of them have brilliant minds, and a fair number of them are just plain and simple people, who are kind and caring. Most of them are confident, having shown an ability to deal competently with many of the problems that come their way.
Sadly, many of these folks, without knowing the Savior, are blind. They are spiritually blind, and they are headed the wrong way. Most of them don't know their headed the wrong direction, and the majority have convinced themselves they know exactly where they're going -- and how they're going to get there.
No, they don't know their headed the wrong direction, but we do. And just like that pastor in the story, it is our job to try and point them in the right direction and set their foot on the proper path, which leads to heaven. It is our duty to show them the Savior who is not just the Light of the world; He is theLight to those are spiritually in the dark.
Now these self-sufficient folks can be pretty proud, and it may take some serious commitment on our parts to reach them. Indeed, there may even be those times when we will fail to set them right. Even so, we have to try.
We have to try because when you can see that is what you do for those who are blind.
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, the hymn talks about how once I was blind, but now, by the Holy Spirit's direction, I can see. May I gladly share the Savior's blessing of salvation with those who are spiritually blind. Then, by Your grace, may they be turned and be headed to the home the Savior has prepared for them. This I ask in Jesus' Name. Amen.
