“As Jesus and his disciples were leaving Jericho, a large crowd followed him.  Two blind men were sitting by the roadside, and when they heard that Jesus was going by, they shouted, ‘Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!’  The crowd rebuked them and told them to be quiet, but they shouted all the louder, ‘Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!’  Jesus stopped and called them. ‘What do you want me to do for you?’  he asked.  ‘Lord,’ they answered, ‘we want our sight.’  Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and followed him.”  (Matthew 20:29-34, NIV)

The response of the two blind men to the miraculous gift they had received from Jesus was obedience.  They “followed him.”

One cannot follow unless (or until) he/she is willing to obey.  God, by His grace, showers us with innumerable blessings.

When we receive any of the blessings of Christ, do we follow in His steps?  When God is generous to us, do we follow Him into generosity?  When God forgives us our trespasses, do we follow his example by forgiving those who have trespassed against us?

To their great credit, the two healed men responded to God’s blessings by following the One that had shown them mercy.  What is our response to God for His mercy?  – Luther

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“Jesus replied, ‘You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God.'” (Matthew 22:29, NIV)

Ouch!

What a stinging rebuke it was to the people to whom Jesus spoke these words: People whose business it was to know both the Scriptures and the power of God.

As followers of Jesus, we are also expected to know both the word of God, and the power of God.  Our Lord expects it of us.  The watching world expects it of us; and we ought to expect it of ourselves.

The former we acquire through diligent study; and the latter we acquire through faithful obedience. This is our safeguard against error.  – Luther

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“I have more understanding than the elders, for I obey your precepts.”  (Psalm 119:100, NIV)

Most people gain knowledge through the so-called “school of hard knocks,” and they obtain understanding through trial and error.   However, there is an easier, faster, and less painful way to acquire the wisdom of the sages: Obedience to God’s word.

It feeds our ego to “be in charge,” but we must resist this Sirens call.  None of us are clever enough, often enough, to consider all of the angles in a decision; but, through simple obedience to even the most mundane of God’s commandments, the grace, the peace, and the life we seek will come to us.  – Luther

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