Why is it important to call out to Jesus despite societal pressures? Opening the Scene: Two Blind Men, One Desperate Cry “Two blind men were sitting by the road. When they heard that Jesus was passing by, they cried out, ‘Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!’ ” (Matthew 20:30) They could not see Jesus, yet they believed He could see them. Their first instinct was to shout for mercy. Society’s instinct was to hush them. Nothing has changed. The Crowd’s Pressure and Our Culture’s Echo • Verse 31 records: “The crowd admonished them to be silent, but they cried out all the louder.” • Today, cultural voices tell believers to keep faith private, tone it down, stay respectable, remain inclusive—but never exclusive about Christ. • Pressure ranges from polite dismissal to outright hostility, yet the call to Christ must still rise above every competing sound. Why Cry Out? Five Solid Reasons 1. Jesus is near and willing – He stopped for those men (Matthew 20:32). – “Call to Me and I will answer you” (Jeremiah 33:3). 2. Calling out is an act of faith – “We walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7). The blind men proved it. 3. Silence forfeits mercy – “You do not have because you do not ask” (James 4:2). 4. Salvation depends on it – “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Romans 10:13). 5. Public confession honors Christ – “Whoever acknowledges Me before men, I will also acknowledge before My Father” (Matthew 10:32). Voices Worth Ignoring, Voice Worth Hearing • The dismissive crowd: “Be quiet.” • The Shepherd’s promise: “He calls His own sheep by name and leads them out” (John 10:3–4). • Authority clash: “We cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:18-20). When commands collide, the Lord’s call outranks every social demand. Results of Persistent Calling • Immediate compassion—“Moved with compassion, Jesus touched their eyes” (Matthew 20:34). • Immediate change—“At once they received their sight.” • Immediate discipleship—“and followed Him.” The pattern holds today: mercy received produces transformed lives that follow. Practical Steps for Today’s Disciple • Decide beforehand to obey God over man (Acts 5:29). • Keep Scripture on your lips; let truth shape your responses (Psalm 119:11). • Gather with believers who embolden, not silence, your witness (Hebrews 10:24-25). • Speak the name of Jesus regularly—in prayer, conversation, and public life (Philippians 2:10-11). • Expect opposition, but greater grace (John 16:33; James 4:6). Living the Lesson The roadside beggars remind every generation: society may muffle a believer’s voice, yet the Savior is listening for it. Call out. Keep calling. The Son of David still stops, still shows mercy, and still opens eyes—both theirs and ours. |
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