I didn’t often talk to adults growing up. When it came to teachers, I was often afraid they’d find out I didn’t know what I was doing. And I also almost never approached my friends’ parents, adults who worked at the local Taco Bell and grocery store, and I almost never talked to the pastors of the church I attended either. To be honest, I wasn’t the most pleasant person to be around! Because people are so valuable and important, I began to develop a different attitude later in life. But It’s sad to me to think that some people have this attitude toward Jesus and would approach anyone but the Lord. Here’s “How to Approach Jesus” based on a blind man’s appeal to the Lord (Luke 18:35-43) that will encourage you to come to Him often and receive good things from His hand!

ASK JESUS FOR HELP

Ask Jesus for help (Luke 18:35-38). A blind man heard the commotion and was told that Jesus was coming. He had heard about Jesus’ compassion and power to heal. And he understood something important about Jesus’ identity. And so the man cried out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” (Luke 18:35-38, esp. v. 38, NASB; the NASB heading and Mark 10:46-52 reveals the man was called Bartimaeus).

Ask Jesus for help in your life. You may have been written-off by this world and written-off by others. You may have been told that you’re not redeemable. An angel told Mary that her son would “be great,” would “be called the Son of the Most High,” and that He would have “the throne of His father David” (Luke 1:26-33, esp. v. 32, NASB). He came as the Messiah and died to pay for your sins on the cross. He rose again to assure you of eternal life. Ask Him for mercy, forgiveness, and help with whatever you’re going through in your life!

DON’T LISTEN TO NAYSAYERS

Don’t listen to naysayers (Luke 18:39). Some were ahead of others, going ahead of Jesus and the crowd. They may have thought of themselves as the leaders or the people “in charge.” And they took it upon themselves to monitor and control the situation, almost like security guards. They weren’t happy with this blind man’s request. And Luke wrote that although they “were sternly” trying to quiet him down, that “he kept crying out” for the Lord’s mercy “all the more” (Luke 18:39, NASB).

Don’t let anyone turn you away from Jesus. People may say things against Jesus. They may say things against you. They may insult your intelligence or criticize your “tone” or worse when you’re out of step with the world. See Jesus for who He is. Turn toward Jesus rather than away from Him. Find solace and comfort in His friendship. Know that He accepts you and is with you even though others may leave you out to dry!

KNOW JESUS LOVES AND CARES

Know Jesus loves and cares (Luke 18:40-43). Jesus heard the man crying out. He knew the man’s condition and that he wasn’t able to come on his own. So Jesus asked people to assist him. Then Jesus asked what he wanted, and the man told Him that he wanted to see. Jesus granted his request, saying, “Receive your sight; your faith has made you well” (Luke 18:40-43, esp. v. 42, NASB).

Know Jesus loves and cares about you! Jesus knows you and your hardship. He understands everything you’ve been through. And He knows your every failing. The writer to the Hebrews encouraged the early Christians to come to Jesus as their high priest who would “sympathize” with every weakness (Heb. 4:14-16, esp. v. 15, NASB). Trust that He forgives you. Trust that He’s with you. Come to Him frequently with every need, every struggle, and with every temptation to receive His help and strength on the way!

COME TO JESUS

Come to Jesus and bring your life before Him! Ask Jesus for help in your life, for forgiveness and assistance with whatever you’re going through. Don’t listen to naysayers but take comfort that Jesus accepts you and is with you. Know Jesus loves you and cares about you deeply in your life. As you do these things, you will gain confidence in the Lord and be full of joy and delight as you glorify God! (Luke 18:42-43). #FCCBP

WORK CITED

“Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE-R-, Copyright-C- 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.”