Jesus and the Blind Beggar
Jeremy Bell
Luke 18:31-43
January 17, 2021
Sermon Video/Audio
Luke 18:31–43
[31] And taking the twelve, he said to them, “See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written about the Son of Man by the prophets will be accomplished. [32] For he will be delivered over to the Gentiles and will be mocked and shamefully treated and spit upon. [33] And after flogging him, they will kill him, and on the third day he will rise.” [34] But they understood none of these things. This saying was hidden from them, and they did not grasp what was said.
[35] As he drew near to Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging. [36] And hearing a crowd going by, he inquired what this meant. [37] They told him, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.” [38] And he cried out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” [39] And those who were in front rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” [40] And Jesus stopped and commanded him to be brought to him. And when he came near, he asked him, [41] “What do you want me to do for you?” He said, “Lord, let me recover my sight.” [42] And Jesus said to him, “Recover your sight; your faith has made you well.” [43] And immediately he recovered his sight and followed him, glorifying God. And all the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God. (ESV)
I. The Faith of the Blind Man
Messianic Confession
“Son of David, have mercy on me” (verse 38, verse 39)
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me; because He has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”– Luke 4:18
Persistent Faith
“And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who seek Him.” — Hebrews 11:6
Childlike Belief
II. The Rebuke of the Crowd
III. The Mercy of the Savior
“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden light.” — Matt. 11:28-30
“(Christ’s) own joy, comfort, happiness and glory are increased and enlarged by His showing grace and mercy, in pardoning, relieving, and comforting His members here on earth.” — Thomas Goodwin
Questions For Discussion/Application:
- Re-read the text, Luke 18:31-43. What initial observations and insights do you have from reading this text?
- The blind man refers to Jesus as the “Son of David.” What is the significance of this statement he makes?
- Jesus responded to this man’s cry first by stopping and drawing this man near to him. What does that response reveal about Christ, his heart for this man, and his heart for us as well?
- Jesus asked the man “what do you want me to do for you?” He then heard the man’s request for healing and then healed him. What does this passage show us about God’s fundamental disposition when it comes to our requests and our needs?
- How can we keep from responding to our “unanswered prayers” by becoming cynical regarding prayer?
- When God doesn’t answer our prayers in the way that we hope, what is a biblical God-glorifying response?
- As you look at your own life, what prayer requests most deeply burden you?
- Consider taking time to pray together.