Desperate for the Lord’s Touch?

Written By Cherith Shaffer


Matthew 20:30-34  “And, behold, two blind men sitting by the way side, when they heard that Jesus passed by, cried out, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou Son of David. And the multitude rebuked them, because they should hold their peace: but they cried the more, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou Son of David. And Jesus stood still, and called them, and said, What will ye that I shall do unto you?
They say unto him, Lord, that our eyes may be opened.  So Jesus had compassion on them, and touched their eyes: and immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed him.”

Several things spoke to me as I recently read this familiar passage. First was the persistency and determination of these two blind men, who typify our own spiritual blindness before salvation. They had never before SEEN Jesus heal and do miracles, but they had HEARD of the many mighty, wonderful things that He had done for others. Based on this, and despite the rebukes and attempts of the multitude to quiet them, they persistently cried out until they had the ear and attention of the Lord.

I couldn’t help but see that it took some effort on their part to gain our Lord’s attention. Of course being God in the flesh, He already knew their needs and desires, but it wasn’t until they cried out the more, (implying desperation) and unconcerned with the thoughts and feelings of the crowd around them, that He stopped and called them, asking, “What will ye that I shall do unto you?”

I can’t help but recall how I felt right before the LORD saved me from my sins at salvation. I felt desperate for the LORD to hear the cries from my diseased, sin-sick soul. I really didn’t care who knew my condition or what they thought of my condition. I only wanted one thing; that the LORD would extend his mercy once again to my cries, and do a miracle in MY life. I wanted the touch that had changed so many others’ lives!

I love verse 34! “So Jesus had compassion on them, and touched their eyes: and immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed him.”

I am so grateful for the undeserving compassion of our great God and Saviour! He extended that same compassion to me and opened my spiritually blinded eyes! He loosed the bonds of blindness that sin had brought on me, and gave me a reason to live – following HIM and the path He’s left in His word, for the rest of my life.

In application, too many people who are yet lost in their sin, SAY they want to be saved, but are really just not desperate enough yet. Their sinful condition has not yet become such a burden, that their only care is to know the life-changing touch of the LORD Jesus Christ. They know that He (the Lord) knows their condition, and it’s almost as if they are just waiting for some magical moment when He will overtake their hearts and they will be saved!  The truth is… we must first desire and seek that life-changing touch!  There are many promises in the Bible that say that God will be found of those who truly, fervently seek the Lord with their whole heart. Deuteronomy 4:29, Isaiah 55:6 and Jeremiah 29:13 are just a few.

To the saved reading this, what will ye that Christ should do for you?

I know I have been guilty of thinking, “Well, the Lord knows my needs, and if it’s His will, He’ll supply them. Why waste time worrying about it?” Yes, the Lord knows our needs before we even ask, but He WANTS and TELLS us… to ask!

He wants our faith to grow through the process of asking and waiting.  He has PROMISED that whatever we ask of Him, believing in faith, He will give us! “And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.” Matthew 21:22

If we are praying this way, we certainly won’t be guilty of worrying about our problems either!

What are your needs and desires? Do you really believe God cares about them and will answer them? Are you praying in faith? We live in a hard, cruel world and sometimes lose track of the good, GOOD God we serve. The same compassionate God who miraculously saved your soul and changed your life, is still able to do far and above all that we can ask or think! O for a life of more FAITH and less doubting! We serve the King of Kings and LORD of LORDS!

Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: Matthew 7:7

If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it. John 14:14

If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. John 15:7

What miracle do you need in your life? A job? A husband? Better health?  Salvation?

Put your faith to the test and see what your merciful, prayer answering God can do for you! He has proven Himself to be all that I need and capable of providing JUST what I need. He wants to do the same for you.