"Jesus! Messiah! Have pity on me!" His voice was louder than before.
"In the name of heaven, make that wretch be quiet!" burst out Judas. "We shall have the whole Roman army on us if anyone hears him talking as though Jesus were going to lead a revolution!"
Jesus stopped. "Who is calling to me?"
"Oh, just some beggar," answered James.
"Bring him to me." The man who had scolded the beggar said to him: "Don't worry. The Master himself is calling you." The blind man leaped to his feet, threw off his tattered coat, and pushed his way through the crowd toward Jesus.
"What do you want me to do for you?" asked Jesus.
The beggar dropped to his knees. "O Master, that I might be able to see again!"
A hush had fallen over the crowd. Jesus said: "Open your eyes. Your faith has made you well again." The man looked around him. He saw the people, the city wall above him, the palm trees at the side of the road. Jesus turned and led the crowd through the gate into Jericho. People clustered around the beggar as he walked after Jesus. He talked loudly and happily, hardly able to express his joy.
Judas came up to Jesus. "Can't we send that man away? Think what will happen if the Romans hear him babbling like this!"
"Let him tell what has happened to him," answered Jesus. "We have come to Judea to proclaim the gospel. That man has found the Kingdom of Heaven. Let him declare it to everyone!"