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This week we are completing our study of Chapter 18. Please read verses 18:22-43 every day this week and, if possible, use a different translation each day, asking God to open your eyes to fresh revelation from His Word.
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Luke 18:35-43 (NIV)
‘As Jesus approached Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging. When he heard the crowd going by, he asked what was happening. They told him, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.” He called out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Those who led the way rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” Jesus stopped and ordered the man to be brought to him. When he came near, Jesus asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?” “Lord, I want to see,” he replied. Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight; your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus, praising God. When all the people saw it, they also praised God.’
These verses are among my favourites in all of the Scripture. They speak volumes about so many areas of life and indicate God’s response to us all. We cannot possibly look at every aspect in our short study today, but I just want to bring our attention to a few highlights.
I want you to put yourself into this man’s position: you are blind and you’re sitting by the road begging. You hear a commotion and sense that there is a large crowd approaching. What are your first thoughts? If it was me, perhaps I’d think that there was a good chance that I’d get some more money. Surely a large crowd would mean a greater opportunity for an increased income! He turns to someone close by and asks what’s going on. He’s told that Jesus of Nazareth is passing by. It seems obvious that this blind man had heard of Jesus because as soon as he heard the news, he started shouting out “Jesus, Son of David have mercy on me.”
It’s possible that the title ‘Jesus of Nazareth’ was intended as a term of derision bearing in mind that the common thought was ‘Can anything good come from Nazareth?’. The blind man’s response was to declare that in fact, this town was actually the source of the ‘Son of David’, the Messiah Himself. He was telling everyone who was listening that the man who was about to pass by was the Anointed One, the One for whom Israel had been waiting for centuries.
Despite being told to be quiet, he persisted in declaring the truth. He knew who was about to pass by and he wanted Jesus to be merciful to him. He wasn’t going to be distracted by anyone and he certainly wasn’t going to let this wonderful opportunity to let slip. Instead of being quiet, we’re told that he shouted out all the more! Such determination.
What happens next is recorded in much more detail in Mark’s gospel but Luke here provides an abbreviated version. Jesus calls the man to come close and asks one of the greatest questions ever: “What do you want Me to do for you?” This man has been begging by the side of the road and is unable to provide for himself. When asked this question, instead of asking for money or for financial security, he simply asks for his sight to be restored.
Note next that Jesus restores this man’s sight not because of a declaration of truth, not because of persistence or determination, but because of his faith. With God all things are possible – we have to believe and not doubt. If we place our unswerving trust in Him, nothing is impossible. As we approach this Christmas time, my prayer is that we ‘see’ Jesus the way in which this blind man did. Not with physical eyes but with renewed eyes of faith in a God who can do anything!
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