Daily Journal: 19 November

Inconvenient People

It’s just not convenient when people draw attention to themselves and ask for something out of the ordinary. Inconvenient people are in the way, disruptive of the status quo. People don’t like other people who are needy, who raise questions, who disagree with the consensus, who raise a ruckus, who demand something more, who demand justice, who do things differently. Inconvenient people are often silenced because they’re awkward for others.

Matthew 20:29-34 (NET)

As they were leaving Jericho, a large crowd followed them. Two blind men were sitting by the road. When they heard that Jesus was passing by, they shouted, “Have mercy on us, Lord, Son of David!” The crowd scolded them to get them to be quiet. But they shouted even more loudly, “Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!” Jesus stopped, called them, and said, “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 received their sight and followed him.

The crowd didn’t care these inconvenient people were beggars, living in the street, blind and unable to live a fulfilling life. What made them inconvenient was what made them so demanding. Demanding of food, demanding of money, demanding that Jesus, at least, should see their need. If He could just heal their need they wouldn’t need to be inconvenient.

The crowd scolded them, but Jesus had compassion.

Jesus saw their need. He asked them what they wanted. He gave them a chance to respond. And He was able to meet their need from a divine storehouse of grace and mercy and provision. Jesus took a moment, just a moment out of His day for these inconvenient people, and changed their lives forever.

Keep shouting out to Him. Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8). He came to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10).

Jeremiah 32:27 (ESV)

Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh. Is anything too hard for me?”

Genesis 18:14 (NET)

 Is anything impossible ^[a] for the Lord? ^{[a The Hebrew verb פָּלָא (palaʾ) means “to be wonderful, to be extraordinary, to be surpassing, to be amazing.”]}

Luke 18:27 (NET)

He replied, “What is impossible ^[a] for mere humans is possible for God.” ^{[a The term impossible is in the emphatic position in the Greek text. God makes the impossible possible.]}

Indeed, adamantly, state your claim on the Word of God and don’t be silenced. Inconvenient people are heard by the Lord and will receive from Him.