Luke 18: 35 – 43 A blind beggar receives his sight

Luke 18: 35 – 43 A blind beggar receives his sight

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.

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When the blind man heard that Jesus was passing by, he shouted ‘Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!’ I wonder whether he had been waiting and hoping for Jesus to pass? As he was blind, it would have been difficult for him to travel any distance to join the crowds around Jesus.

Those at the head of the crowd tried to make him be quiet. I wonder why? Surely the disciples wouldn’t have turned away someone in need?

The man wouldn’t be silenced. He kept shouting, trying to make himself heard by Jesus. He believed that Jesus could heal him, and he didn’t want to lose his chance. Perhaps he thought, ‘Jesus may never pass this way again!’ He knew it was probably his only opportunity.

Jesus heard him. He ordered the man to be brought to him. That word “ordered” tells a story all of its own about Jesus’ authority among humans. At the heart of a large crowd, he can order something done – and it’s done. The man was brought to him.

Now, up until this point the man’s needs have been unspecific. He has just been crying out for mercy. Jesus asks him ‘What do you want me to do for you?’

‘Lord, I want to see’

And Jesus healed him. His sight was restored immediately, and he followed Jesus, praising God.

Before we accept Jesus, we are spiritually blind. Just like the blind man close to Jericho, we cry out for mercy, and Jesus heals us. We gain our sight.

It seems to me that there is more, too. We can grow in our understanding and in our faith, but we need to ask Jesus for that growth. ‘What do you want me to do for you?’ he asks us.

Six months ago, I asked God to let me feel closer to Jesus. He told me to study the bible every day, and to write about what I learn in this blog. He told me to make that the centre of my day; to give it priority over all my other writing. And, yes, I feel closer to Jesus. Praise the Lord!

But, just like the blind beggar, I had to ask, and then answer Jesus when he asked what I wanted.

Praise Jesus! He wants us to ask. He listens when we ask. He tells us how he will heal and bless us. Praise him!

Prayer

Heavenly Father

Thank you for Jesus. Thank you for the way you make us whole.

In Jesus’ name, Amen

Postscript

Yesterday I was struggling with the doctrine of atonement. I wonder how that would be understood in the context of healing? I shall have to come back to that question.