Two Blind Men Receive Sight - Matthew 20:29-34
Two Blind Men Receive Sight
29 As Jesus and his disciples were leaving Jericho, a large crowd followed him. 30 Two blind men were sitting by the roadside, and when they heard that Jesus was going by, they shouted, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!” 31 The crowd rebuked them and told them to be quiet, but they shouted all the louder, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!”
32 Jesus stopped and called them. “What do you want me to do for you?” he asked. 33 “Lord,” they answered, “we want our sight.”34 Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and followed him.
Reflection:
This short story of Jesus healing the two blind men upon leaving Jericho, gives us great insight into the nature of prayer, and also how Jesus answers prayer. We note first the two men were sitting together in the same condition, and asked Jesus to have mercy on "them". It is of great comfort if we are going through something to know we don't go through it alone. Notice too though they could not see but they could certainly hear! It has been said that people who are blind have a heightened sense of hearing. So they could hear Jesus was going by and took the moment at hand to enjoin Jesus to have mercy on them and restore their sight.
Note four things about their prayer. First, they cried out fervently. When the crowd rebuked them they were even more fervent in shouting out their prayers. We could say they prayed with passion. Two, they prayed in humility. They asked Jesus to have mercy on them. They made the correct assumption that any answer from Jesus would come from his deep store of compassion and mercy. Third, they had been given faith that Jesus was the Messiah, which we can see from their address to him, "Lord, Son of David". This gave them confidence that Jesus could actually heal them, as was predicted in the Old Testament prophecies of the power of the Messiah, the Christ! Finally, they persevered in prayer. After being rebuked in prayer they prayed harder and louder. Perhaps this is what caught Jesus' attention.
Then let us note Jesus' response. First, he asked them what they wanted. This reminds us to be specific as we pray. Another passage in James 4:2 says, "We have not, because we ask not!" It is not as though God doesn't know what we need, but we see here the example of being specific in our request. I think Jesus is also modeling for the crowd that He is a God that is not distant, but wants to know what we need and meet us in that immediate need. And finally, we see it is through mercy Jesus heals, and his power and authority is so strong that he merely has to touch their eyes to effect their healing. We know Jesus was very careful asto when, where and how He healed; because He knew each time He did so the crowds would come even more, and push him closer to the cross. But at this time the needs of these two men are greater than his own for self preservation, showing us that Jesus came to serve and heal as the evidence that the kingdom of God was at hand. Finally, we see they followed him. Note what Matthew Henry says about this,
"Note, None follow Christ blindfold. He first by his grace opens men’s eyes, and so draws their hearts after him. They followed Christ, as his disciples, to learn of him, and as his witnesses, eye-witnesses, to bear their testimony to him and to his power and goodness. The best evidence of spiritual illumination is a constant inseparable adherence to Jesus Christ as our Lord and Leader." - Matthew Henry NT Commentator
What does this mean for us? I think it means that when we pray, let's be serious about it. Although there is some value in rote and remembered prayers like the Lord's Prayer, God wants us to come to him in earnestness and fervency with was is on our hearts. Be passionate about want you want and need, and reliant on God's mercy all the while. Another thing to think about is the question, "What do you want me to do for you?" If Jesus were to ask you that question what would you say? A good thing to think about! If something does come to mind, why wait????
Jesus, we thank you that you model for us that you listen to our prayers, have mercy on us and heal us and provide for us daily bread. Help us to be bold and passionate in our prayers through the Holy Spirit's prompting so we may receive what we really need today! Amen.
29 As Jesus and his disciples were leaving Jericho, a large crowd followed him. 30 Two blind men were sitting by the roadside, and when they heard that Jesus was going by, they shouted, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!” 31 The crowd rebuked them and told them to be quiet, but they shouted all the louder, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!”
32 Jesus stopped and called them. “What do you want me to do for you?” he asked. 33 “Lord,” they answered, “we want our sight.”34 Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and followed him.
Reflection:
This short story of Jesus healing the two blind men upon leaving Jericho, gives us great insight into the nature of prayer, and also how Jesus answers prayer. We note first the two men were sitting together in the same condition, and asked Jesus to have mercy on "them". It is of great comfort if we are going through something to know we don't go through it alone. Notice too though they could not see but they could certainly hear! It has been said that people who are blind have a heightened sense of hearing. So they could hear Jesus was going by and took the moment at hand to enjoin Jesus to have mercy on them and restore their sight.
Note four things about their prayer. First, they cried out fervently. When the crowd rebuked them they were even more fervent in shouting out their prayers. We could say they prayed with passion. Two, they prayed in humility. They asked Jesus to have mercy on them. They made the correct assumption that any answer from Jesus would come from his deep store of compassion and mercy. Third, they had been given faith that Jesus was the Messiah, which we can see from their address to him, "Lord, Son of David". This gave them confidence that Jesus could actually heal them, as was predicted in the Old Testament prophecies of the power of the Messiah, the Christ! Finally, they persevered in prayer. After being rebuked in prayer they prayed harder and louder. Perhaps this is what caught Jesus' attention.
Then let us note Jesus' response. First, he asked them what they wanted. This reminds us to be specific as we pray. Another passage in James 4:2 says, "We have not, because we ask not!" It is not as though God doesn't know what we need, but we see here the example of being specific in our request. I think Jesus is also modeling for the crowd that He is a God that is not distant, but wants to know what we need and meet us in that immediate need. And finally, we see it is through mercy Jesus heals, and his power and authority is so strong that he merely has to touch their eyes to effect their healing. We know Jesus was very careful asto when, where and how He healed; because He knew each time He did so the crowds would come even more, and push him closer to the cross. But at this time the needs of these two men are greater than his own for self preservation, showing us that Jesus came to serve and heal as the evidence that the kingdom of God was at hand. Finally, we see they followed him. Note what Matthew Henry says about this,
"Note, None follow Christ blindfold. He first by his grace opens men’s eyes, and so draws their hearts after him. They followed Christ, as his disciples, to learn of him, and as his witnesses, eye-witnesses, to bear their testimony to him and to his power and goodness. The best evidence of spiritual illumination is a constant inseparable adherence to Jesus Christ as our Lord and Leader." - Matthew Henry NT Commentator
What does this mean for us? I think it means that when we pray, let's be serious about it. Although there is some value in rote and remembered prayers like the Lord's Prayer, God wants us to come to him in earnestness and fervency with was is on our hearts. Be passionate about want you want and need, and reliant on God's mercy all the while. Another thing to think about is the question, "What do you want me to do for you?" If Jesus were to ask you that question what would you say? A good thing to think about! If something does come to mind, why wait????
Jesus, we thank you that you model for us that you listen to our prayers, have mercy on us and heal us and provide for us daily bread. Help us to be bold and passionate in our prayers through the Holy Spirit's prompting so we may receive what we really need today! Amen.
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