Matthew 11:5
The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy[a] are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor.
We heard a great perspective on this verse last weekend at church. Pastor Ruben has been talking about what church is supposed to look like, and he pointed out this quote from Jesus in response to John the Baptist’s question: Is Jesus the One?
Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: …
And he proceeded with the list in verse 5.
What Pastor Ruben pointed out is that we love to get excited about this verse. People are being healed! They can see, walk, and hear! They are alive! But what’s easy to overlook is that in order for someone to be cleansed, they have to be dirty first! All of these miracles only happened because Jesus spent his time around blind, deaf, lame, diseased, dead, and poor people. No, not just the “spiritually poor” or figuratively “blind.” Actual stinky, awkward, gross, grumpy, annoying people.
I’m guilty of avoiding these kinds of people. It’s inconvenient and aggravating. Scary, even. I want to be brave enough and selfless enough to care about everyone I meet, not just the ones I “click” with. So keep me honest, and start thinking about who you need to welcome into your life as well.
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