Dr. Othello O. Caturan
Texts: Luke 18:35-43; Matthew 20:29-33
“ [35] And it came to pass, that as he was come nigh unto Jericho, a certain blind man sat by the way side begging:
[36] And hearing the multitude pass by, he asked what it meant.
[37] And they told him, that Jesus of Nazareth passeth by.
[38] And he cried, saying, Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me.
[39] And they which went before rebuked him, that he should hold his peace: but he cried so much the more, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me.
[40] And Jesus stood, and commanded him to be brought unto him: and when he was come near, he asked him,
[41] Saying, What wilt thou that I shall do unto thee? And he said, Lord, that I may receive my sight.
[42] And Jesus said unto him, Receive thy sight: thy faith hath saved thee.
[43] And immediately he received his sight, and followed him, glorifying God: and all the people, when they saw it, gave praise unto God.” Luke 18:35-43
INTRODUCTION
I. The Lord Jesus was on His way to Jericho for a purpose, I believe one of the reasons was to reach out a sinner named Zaccheus the rich tax collector. But this is not our concern this time.
- Our concern mainly at this moment is the story of the Lord healing the blind man with his sight and giving him of the salvation.
- There is something in the story that reveals the character and nature of our Lord and the power of the blind man’s faith.
DISCUSSION
Let us delve deeper on the story to understand more of these things that I am presently pointing out to you this evening.
- By divine providence there is hope in insignificant and unimportant situations and events in life.
Although the place where the miracle happened was described near Jericho, it was nameless town perhaps because it was insignificant and unimportant so to speak. Not only that the man was nameless, helpless because he was blind, despondent and pathetic because no one was with him and trying hard to survive but begging. The situation was really sad and disheartening- helpless blind man waiting maybe of something good or blessing for that blessed day when the Lord passed by. And the Lord passed by really in that nameless, insignificant town but to a lonely helpless and desperately longing blind and beggar man with the hope of a miracle of help from above.
vV35-37 And it came to pass, that as he was come nigh unto Jericho, a certain blind man sat by the way side begging: And hearing the multitude pass by, he asked what it meant. And they told him, that Jesus of Nazareth passeth by.
Oh I praise God He the Almighty and Savior will with His divine mercy and purpose pass by to every nameless , insignificant places and every individual helpless and hapless and seeming and un-seemingly hopeless and blind people to reach and seek out for these people who need sympathy , help, service and care of the Savior. He is passing by any moment of our lives in His call to us to come and rest upon Him in the midst of our trials and tests of our faith. He is passing by day to day by reminding us of the beauty of living and the challenges and our struggles day by day. He is passing us by waiting for our call in times of our need because He is always there for us.
Isaiah 42: 5-8
“ Thus saith God the Lord, he that created the heavens, and stretched them out; he that spread forth the earth, and that which cometh out of it; he that giveth breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein; I the lord have called thee ion righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles; to open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house. I am the lord that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another; neither my praise to graven image.”
IIsaiah 42:16
“And I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them.”
John 8:12
“I am the light of the world : he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.”
2 Corinthians 4:6
“For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.”
Ephesians 5:14
“Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.”
Revelation 21:23
“ And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.”
- The blind man, sightless while setting and begging in posture was active in the use of his hearing sense and reasoning mind.
He could hear the multitudes passing by as if in a focused excitement. He was prompted by a sincere and honest inquisitive seeking the reason of the vibrant peculiar and excited voices and hustle of human movements.
V 36
“And hearing the multitude pass by, he asked what it meant.”
a. The hearing aspect is a very important part of our coming to the truth. We can not deny the fact that God has purposely given human beings hearing sense to perceive and understand the truth, and thus fear Him and obey His commandments. We better use our hearing sense when we are seeking the truth because it is part of God’s instrument for man to understand His revelation.
The Lord God said to Moses in mount Horeb-
”Gather me the people together, and I will make them hear my words, that they may learn to fear me all the days that they may shall live upon the earth, and that they may teach their children.” Deuteronomy 4: 10
Deuteronomy 4:35-40
“Unto thee it was shewed, that thou mightest know that the lord he is God; there is none else beside him. Out of heaven he made thee to hear his voice, that he might instruct thee: and upon earth he shewed thee his great fire; and thou heardest his words out of the midst of the fire. And because he loved thy fathers, therefore he chose their seed after them, and brought thee out in his sight with his mighty power out of Egypt; To drive out nations from before thee greater and mightier than thou art, to bring thee in, to give thee their land for an inheritance, as it is this day. Know therefore this day, and consider it in thine heart, that the lord he is God in heaven above, and upon the earth beneath:there is none else. Thou shalt keep therefore his statutes, and his commandm,ents, which I command thee this day, that it may go well with thee, and with thy children after thee, and that thou prolong thy days upon the earth, which the Lord thy God giveth thee forever.”
b. Believers need to hear God’s voice through His words from the Scriptures for our instructions from Him and understand therefore to obey His voice thus receive His blessings. Hearing is the first step of knowing His will in our lives. We better hear clearly God’s words and with intention of sincerity and truth in our hearts.
c. Again Moses made it clear the importance of seeking God heartily and truly with an obedient heart to obey the voice of God after hearing it- God promised to take care of His people and bless them.
Deuteronomy 4:29-31
“But if from thence thou shalt seek the Lord thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul. When thou art in tribulation, and all these things are come upon thee, even in the latter days, if thou turn to the lord thy God, and shalt be obedient unto his voice; For the Lord thy God is a merciful God;) he will not forsake thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget the covenant of thy fathers which he sware unto them.”
d. There is the important aspect of hearing with believing the things heard otherwise there will be judgment and wrath of God coming because of disobedience.
Hebrews 2:1-3 “ Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. For if the word spoken by angels was steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward; How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;”
Hebrews 4:2-3 “For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.”
Psalm 95:7-11
“ For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. Today if ye will hear his voice, Harden not your heart, as in the day of temptation in the wilderness: when your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my work. Forty years long was I grieved with this generation, and said, It is a people that do err in their heart, and they have not known my ways: unto whom I swore in my wrath that they should not enter into my rest.”
- The blind man was thrilled and excited and animated by the power of Jesus the Nazareth.
The multitudes answered the blind begging man in his inquiry- “Jesus of Nazareth passeth by.” And with spontaneity and honesty he cried saying Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me.” Vv 37-38
a. The multitudes were gripped and overwhelmed with the reality that Jesus of Nazareth was the focus of the attention of the multitudes ; and they were thrilled and excited with this miracle worker and teacher from Nazareth. There was no doubt and hesitation of the answer of the multitudes about the question of the blind man. The latter did not beg any more from the multitude because He was also excited and overwhelmed with the power of the name of Jesus of Nazareth. This was manifested when he cried without doubt and reservation and hesitation but with certainty and determination to air his voice into thundering cry- Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me.”
b. Jesus of Nazareth was a very significant name as quoted by the multitudes. Who gave this name? Why Nazareth? There was nothing special about Nazareth except with its being identified with the Lord. In fact Nathaniel asked, “Can any good come out of Nazareth?”
Historically speaking according to a scholar. The people of Nazareth had established a rather poor reputation in morals and religion.
A good example of this poor reputation is the Nazareth decree noted in 1878 given or sent in from Nazareth to a German private collector-Froehner.
The decree runs: “Ordinances of Cesar. It is my pleasure that graves and tombs remain undisturbed in perpetuity for those who have made them for the cult of their ancestors, or children, or members of their house. If, however, any man lay information that another has either demolished them, or has in any other way extracted the buried, or has maliciously transferred them to other places in order to wrong them, or has displaced the sealing or other stones, against such a one I order that a trial be instituted, as in respect of the gods, so in regard to the cult of mortals.. For it shall be much more obligatory to honor the buried. Let it be absolutely forbidden for anyone to disturb them. In the case of contravention I desire that the offender be sentenced to capital punishment on the charge of violation of the sepulcher.”
Another bad reputation about Nazareth- Prophet Amos in 2:11-12 “voices a complaint of Jehovah against the children of Israel that He had given to Israel the prophets and the Nazirites as spiritual instructors and examples , but that the people had given wine to the Nazirites and had offered inducements to the prophets to refrain from prophesying.”
But our Lord Jesus Christ applied the title to Himself in Acts 22:8
Paul answered- “Who art thou , Lord? And he said unto me, Iam Jesus of Nazareth, whom thou persecutest.” Though the Lord was rejected in his earthly ministry by the people of Nazareth in two occasions ( Luke 4:16-30; Mark 6:1-6; Matthew 13:54-58)– first- great hostility against Him that the people would like to take His life; secod instance, a pirit of faithless apathy a reaction to His words.
*** The Lord Jesus was condescending and humble to be identified with the people of poor and bad reputation- hard core sinners at that. He was man full of grace and truth. This is our Lord and Savior, full of mercy and kindness. Come to Him in whatever situation in life you are, the Lord will take care of your problems no matter how insurmountable are they in your understanding.
Philippians 2: 5-11 “ Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things In heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
- The blind man’s zeal and earnestness empowered him to ask help from the Lord: but he cried loudly that the multitudes were disturbed and agitated saying “Jesus , thou son of David, have mercy on me.”
Probably because he was far distant from the Lord thus he has to raise his voice to be heard in the midst of teeming crowd. Not only that , the blind man was in desperate need of help of the Lord. This could be his last chance or opportunity to get healing from the LORD. When we come to the Lord in honest and sincere need of help He can not and will not ever refuse a seeking and honest one.
Jeremiah 29:12-13
“Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.”
Proverbs 8:17
“I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.”
Hebrews 11:6
“But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to god must believe that he is , and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”
Isaiah 55:6-7
“Seek ye the lord while he may be found, call upon him while he is near: Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God for he will abundantly pardon.”
ii. Son of David refers to an expression that Jesus is the Messiah coming through the lineage of king David of Israel. The blind man believed that Jesus is the Messiah, God’s anointed, promised by God to be the savior of the world.
The religious leaders , in contrast, were spiritually blind to see that Jesus is the Messiah the Son of David thus they were unbelieving rejecting the Lord.
iii. “Have mercy on me” -this is the plea of the blind man. When we come to the Lord we need to beg for the mercy of the Lord because we are only beggars because of our being sinners in the sight of a holy God. This blind man understands the OT passages about God’s mercy:
Exodus 34:6
“And the Lord passed by before him, and proclaimed, the Lord. The Lord God, merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children, and upon the children’s children, unto the third and fourth generation.”
Deuteronomy 5:8-10
“ Thou shalt not make thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that that is in the waters beneath the earth: thou shalt not bow down thyself unto them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me, and shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me and keep my commandments.”
Psalm 25: 6-10
“Remember, O Lord, thy tender mercies and thy loving-kindness; for they have been ever of old. Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions: according to thy mercy remember thou me for thy goodness’ sake. O Lord. Good and upright is the lord: therefore will he teach sinners in the way. The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will teach his way. All the paths of the lord are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies.”
Hebrews 4:14-16
“Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”
iv. Although the multitudes rebuked him for his loud and clear plea unto the Lord to his peace; the more he cried so much more, Thou Son of David have mercy upon me. V39-40
v. The Lord responded when the blind man was near Him: “ What wilt thou that I shall do unto thee?” v 41
This is a question seeking to meet the need of the blind man. The Lord is always eager to help us out in our every problem.
“Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest upon your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-29
The Lord wants to serve us and be of service to his people in need.
John 13:14 “If ye then, your Lord and master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another, feet.”
Luke 22:24-27
“The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors. But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve. For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? Is not he that sitteth at meat? But I am among you as he that serveth…”
- The Lord met the need of the blind man when the latter said: “Lord, that I may receive my sight.”
He was specific and direct to the point when the blind man asked help. And the Lord immediately answered him: “Receive thy sight: thy faith hath saved thee.” V 42
i. When we pray : two things to note-
1.) have faith in God
2.) prepare and be ready to receive God’s blessings.
ii. it is true faith in the Lord that touche and pleasess the heart of the Lord Jesus Christ!
The faith of the blind man is characterized by the following:
1.) it was based on knowledge of the Scriptures- Son of David- God is full of mercy.
2.) It was active faith based on his cry and coming near to the Lord’s feet based on our needs.
3.) It was determined faith. He could not be threatened by the multitudes rebuking him.
4.) It was courageous and bold. Twice in a loud voice-Son of David have mercy on me .
5.) It was honest and sincere and direct to the point. “ Lord, That I may receive my sight.”
6.) It was unstoppable. Nobody can stop him he was trying hard.
7.) It was humble faith- acknowledging the mercy and Lordship of Christ.
iii.The focus and the object of true faith is the Lord Jesus Christ who has the almighty power to do impossible things! Mark 11:22-26,
“22 And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God.
23 For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.
24 Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.
25 And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.
26 But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses. .”
THIS IS THE KIND OF FAITH WHEN A TRUE BELIEVER WOULD PRAY THAT WILL BE ANSWERED OF THE LORD.
- A true believer will always follow the Lord in obedience and will always aim to glorify God. v 42
i) Obedience in following the Lord is the true mark of faith. Faith without obedience to the words of the Lord is sham and unreal and not genuine. The true Christian life is mark by obedience to His words, in fact this is to love the Lord.
John 8:31
John 14:23
ii) the aim to glorify God and glory in Him is our best and ultimate response in serving Him. This is our singular motive in the service of the Lord.
1 Corinthians 6:20 “For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.”
1 Peter 2:11-12 “Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that , whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.”
- The faith of the blind man brings a witnessing effect among those who saw the miracle. V 42
“And immediately he received sight, and followed him, glorifying God: and all the people, when they saw it, gave praise unto God.”
i. Our faith must be shown and be manifested to the people around us if there is really a miracle of salvation in our lives. And that the people be blessed to praise the Lord at the same time.
ii. True faith will always manifest because it is spontaneous and always will be noticed by people either positively or in a negative manner. How is you faith in the Lord?
CONCLUSION
- We need to have faith in the Lord like that of the blind man knowing that our Lord Jesus Christ in the Scriptures is compassionate and ever ready to help us who are needy and are believing in Him.
- Let us follow Him in true obedience according to His words not out of convenience or of our self-gain or self promotion.
- Let us aim our life as true believers to live for Christ to the GLORY of our heavenly Father. AMEN
Leave a Reply