Squeaky Wheels

If you came upon Jesus, what would you want him to do for you?

As they were leaving Jericho, a large crowd followed him. There were two blind men sitting by the roadside. When they heard that Jesus was passing by, they shouted, "Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!" The crowd sternly ordered them to be quiet; but they shouted even more loudly, "Have mercy on us, Lord, Son of David!" Jesus stood still and called them, saying, "What do you want me to do for you?" They said to him, "Lord, let our eyes be opened." Moved with compassion, Jesus touched their eyes. Immediately they regained their sight and followed him. - Matt. 20:29-34

What I find interesting here is the reaction of the crowd when the blind men shouted for Jesus.

Is that how we are?  Do we try to keep people from seeking help from Jesus?  If Jesus walked by you, wouldn't you reach out to him for help?

Luckily for them, the men refused to be quieted by the crowd.  They shouted louder.

Now, I suspect that we would say that we would never do what the crowd did, and I wonder if that is true.

We have an expression that the squeaky wheel gets the grease, but how many of us find that squeaky wheel annoying?

And when the wheel does get the grease and quiets down, don't we continue to hold a grudge against it?

These days, there are a lot of squeaky wheels out there.  People are out protesting a whole host of things they believe require a little grease, from climate change to genocide.  

Maybe the reason the crowd took offense at the blind men is because they were interrupting their walk with Jesus.  Or maybe they were envious and even a little jealous.  Why is he giving them attention while I am right here following him and he ignores me?

One of the great things about this land we live in is that we have a right to speak and a right to squeak.

We, like the crowd, may find it annoying and disruptive, but how many notions in the world would allow it from their people?

Maybe we should be more like Jesus and just ask, "What is it you want me to do for you?"

More to come...