The Blind Beggar and the Rich Tax Collector

In Luke 18:35 - 19:9, Jesus shows that his mercy is freely given to all people, despite their economic or social status. On one end of the spectrum, "a blind beggar was sitting beside the road" (v. 36). This beggar was desperate. He shouted for Jesus to have mercy on him, and as the crowds tried to hush him, he only shouted louder. I love Jesus' response. "What do you want me to do for you?" (v. 41). I probably would have asked the beggar how I could pray for him, or just simply ignored him and moved on. That question Jesus asked needs to happen more in my life. The beggar says "Lord, I want to see!" You can sense the desperation mixed with excitement, knowing that he is finally in front of the One who can change his sight and, therefore, change his life. Jesus grants his request, and the man who finally had sight "followed Jesus, praising God. And all who saw it praised God, too" v. 43.

On the other end of the spectrum, "there was a man named Zacchaeus. He was the chief tax collector in the region, and he had become very rich" (19:2). He, too, was desperate. So desperate, that he climbed a fig tree just to see Jesus passing by. When Jesus joined Zacchaeus in his home later that day, Zacchaeus showed true repentance. Instead of asking for something that he didn't have, he wanted to give away the wealth that tax collectors coveted. "I will give half my wealth to the poor, Lord, and if I have cheated people on their taxes, I will give them back four times as much!" (v. 8).

I think it is neat the way Luke describes these two encounters back to back. Two men in two totally different situations, at least on the outside. On the inside, both were lost, and "the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost" (v. 10). So many times, I view the needy and the wealthy in different lights, when in reality I need to view them in the same light. When it comes down to it, we are all in need of a Savior.