Drawn to the Gospel

Reimagined is a creative retelling of Bible stories in a way that is still faithful to the text while seeking to engage with today’s audience.  The following is from Luke 18:35-43.

Have you ever felt invisible? Not just overlooked, but dismissed—like you’re there, and yet not there. Well, that pretty much summed up my life.

Day after day, I sat by the road—begging. Asking if anyone would take pity on this blind man. I had no sight, no place, no worth in their eyes. I was asking for alms, just enough to survive another day. Most people didn’t look at me. And when no one sees you long enough … You start to wonder maybe even God doesn’t see you.

But if there’s one advantage to being blind—is that you listen harder. Over time, especially in the last couple of years, I started hearing stories about a teacher and miracle worker named Jesus.

They said He spoke with authority, not like the rabbis or religious leaders. He welcomed outsiders. That He touched lepers. Ate with tax collectors and sinners. And yes, He even gave sight to the blind.

Some whispered He was more than a prophet—maybe even the Son of David. The Messiah. That made my ears perk up. I’d heard the old promises: how the Messiah would come with healing, good news for the poor, freedom for captives, sight for people like me. He would be the one that prophets said would usher in the Kingdom of God.

Then one day, the crowd was louder than usual. I asked, “What’s going on?” Someone said, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by. He is on His way to Jerusalem.”

In that moment, I knew. This is Him. He’s not just some guy from Nazareth!I must not miss Him! I must not let Him pass me by!

So I started to shout:

“Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

For a second I hoped the crowd might join in with me. Instead, the crowd told me to shut up. But I couldn’t stop. I wouldn’t stop. I shouted even louder.:

“Jesus, Son of David! Have. Mercy. On. Me!”

And then—He stopped. Not the crowd. Not His disciples. Jesus stopped.

Then I heard someone said, “Take heart. He’s calling you.” I stood. My heart pounded. And I heard His voice:

“What do you want Me to do for you?”

His voice was gentle, but it carried weight—like He already knew me all my life. Then I replied:

“Lord, I want to see.”

“Recover your sight. Your faith has made you healed you.”

And in that moment—light. Shapes. Movement. Colour. And at the centre—His face.

His eyes were full of compassion. His expression was firm but kind. Solemn, but not distant.

That’s when I knew—He hadn’t just given me sight. He had seen me before I ever saw Him.

He had opened my heart to see Him, even before I saw His face.

And so, I followed Him. I didn’t care where He was going. I had to be near Him.

The crowd didn’t try to stop me anymore. In fact, they joined me in praising God. Once the Son of David, the Messiah, Jesus sees and hears you … You don’t go back to the dark. And you can’t stay silent.