With hands held out and shuffling feet He felt his way along the street Because for him there was no day Only the darkness marked his way.
His familiar place he finally found And there sat down upon the ground. That same old place beside the road Which day by day was his abode.
Expectations had long since fled Just a few mites for daily bread. Waving his cup at passers by “Alms, Alms!” was his monotomous cry.
Some passed by with averted eyes Ignoring his pathetic cries. Moving on in hast down the street Unmindful of the blind man’s plead.
One in pity and compassion Looked upon his sad condition Removing from his purse an alms He dropped it in the blind man’s palm.
For having helped someone in need He congratulates his good deed, And then hastening on his mission Soon forgets the man’s condition.
“What’s that commotion that I hear A boisterous crowd drawing near Can someone tell me for I can’t see, What can the cause for this noise be?”
“They say he came from Galilee This man the crowd is pressed to see He’s passing through this way today Amazing things he’s done they say.
Healed a lame man who couldn’t walk Caused one to speak who could not talk. The deaf to hear, the dumb to speak He’s helping all of those who seek.
He speaks as one we’ve never heard Brings comfort with his every word. So please be still so we can hear. Hush, be still, he’s drawing near!”
“You say that he’s been known to heal And now you ask me to be still? Pray, tell me what is this man’s name, This man whom all can heal they claim.”
“He’s called Jesus of Nazareth Son of David, said Lazarus, The one he raised up from the dead. Now please be quiet, like I said.”
Then rose his cries above the crowd His desperate words rang out loud, “Thou son of David, healer, please Jesus Christ, have mercy on me.”
They tried his calling out to tame, Only louder his cries became. “I am right here, don’t pass me by! Son of David, please hear my cry!”
Noise of the crowd, shuffling of feet All at once the commotion ceased. A voice spoke from among the crowd “Bring that man here who cries so loud.”
Hands gently raised him to his feet And led him slowly down the street Toward the voice that he had heard, Clear authority spoken words.
Then all at once the hands were gone He was left standing there alone Amidst the crowd there all around Cries now replaced by whispered sounds
A gentle hand then touched his brow, A touch he had not felt til now. Where dark despair had such a hold A ray of hope shined in his soul.
A voice inquired insistently, “What would you have me do for thee?” From Eternal night where he had trod Sightless eyes sought the face of God.
“Oh, that I might receive my sight, For I have never seen the light. You have healed many I’ve heard tell Please have mercy on me as well!”
Then the master said, “Receive thy sight. Thy faith hath now dispelled the night.” From black to white his vision turned His savior then he could descern.
The blind man’s sight had been restored By power of the living LORD. He cried as tears ran down his face “Praise to thee for mercy and grace!” “Praise to thee for mercy and grace!”
