Above The Crowd

    The cobble stone is hot, dust swirls in the air, crowds pack the narrow street going about their daily business, store owners hawk their wares in the market place, would be buyers stop to barter, people everywhere bumping, pushing, shoving, jostling, everyone going in different directions caught up in there own little world.
    A man listens to the noise of the bustling crowd around him, and wonders why so much activity in the market? Why the huge crowds?
    He reaches out from his blanket and waits till he feels the brush of a shoppers garment touch his hand and calls out "Why is the market so crowded today? Why are these people here?"
  "Haven't you heard? The Nazarene, the man from Galilee is passing through the market on His way to Jerusalem."
   The Nazarene? The man from Galilee? Could this be the one they call Jesus, the Messiah? "Is this the man they call Jesus?" he asks the shopper. "Yes" is the reply. Hope springs forth in his heart. Could this be the day? Will my prayer be answered?
  Suddenly the crowd presses forward. The man is swept aside, his cup knocked from his hand, coins roll away, and hopes of feeding himself, dashed away by the crowd. In the chaos a passerby says "There He is, Jesus of Nazareth".  
  "My only hope is passing this way. How..how can I get his attention. "Jesus," he calls. "Jesus!" he yells. Several men tell him to be quiet, don't bother Him. "Who are you anyway but a blind man?" The coat he wore marked him as an outcast.
  "JESUS, THOU SON OF DAVID! " he cries as loud as he can. Suddenly silence falls over the crowd. He hears feet shuffling as the crowd parts. Someone leaning close says, "Take my hand. Jesus wants to see you". His coat falls away as the man leads him to the Nazarene  "I heard your cry above all others, what can I do for you?" He can hardly believe his ears, Jesus heard me? A poor blind outcast!
   His voice faulters "That..... I may.... see, sir"
   Jesus said, "Go on your way. Your faith has given you sight."

The one leaning close to you and whispering in your ear is the Holy Spirit take His hand as He leads you to God let the cloak of sin, shame, broken promises, depression, unforgiveness, abuse, false accusations fall away those things that have kept you by the roadside hoping for a hand out, God will retore your sight.