What Do You Want?
Luke 18:35-43
Jesus is making His way toward Jerusalem and has just told His disciples that it was now approaching the time He would fulfill all the prophecy concerning the Son.
Luke 18:31 “Then he took unto him the twelve, and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of man shall be accomplished.”
Luke 18:34 And it came to pass, that as he was come nigh unto Jericho, a certain blind man sat by the way side begging:
This was a large town about eight miles west of the Jordan, and about 19 miles northeast from Jerusalem.
Nigh – tells us that Jesus had not yet entered into Jericho
There is no social security in those days.
A person who cannot work could be found at the gates of their city where they would beg for enough money to buy the food needed for that day.
Was he born blind or did something happen in his life causing blindness?
Since the Bible says nothing, I remind you to not jump to conclusions and I have read so often about.
Luke 18:36 tells us he heard a great noise as the multitude was passing by.
So he simply asks what is happening.
Luke 18:37 And they told him, that Jesus of Nazareth passeth by.
Notice the response to this news.
Luke 18:38 “And he cried, saying, Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me.”
Luke 18:38 is our prayer today. 8/9 words
“Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me.”
I find it interesting that a blind man would have such knowledge as to who this Jesus is.
Son of David - Who told him that JESUS, after the flesh, was the SON of DAVID?
It could have been common knowledge of the great miracle worker that has been in the world actively healing for 3 years.
I for one believe that news like that would spread like wildfire.
But to call Jesus Son of David?
Son of David – is the qualification needed for Jesus to be rightfully in the line to the throne.
Many statements about Jesus have circulated including that Jesus was the result of an encounter with a solder and that his dad was a Roman solder.
If that were true then why did this man call Jesus the Son of David?
Notice this man’s simple request.. “have mercy on me.”
Mercy is asked for when there is no hope of repayment or restitution.
Such is the case of every person before salvation.
Blinded by sin
Crippled with no hope of making it to heaven
And somewhere a message reaches our ears and we hear of salvation through the grace and mercy of God; who sent His only begotten Son to become sin for us.
We cried out just as the blind man did.
“Son of David, I cannot save myself in need your mercy.”
You might think the world would rejoice that one would desire to be made whole, but that is not the case.
Luke 18:39a “And they which went before rebuked him, that he should hold his peace:…”
That is just like the world isn’t it?
The only place to find help and all they want to do is shut the message down.
• Cried out (Luk_18:38): “An ordinary loud shout to attract attention.”
• Cried out all the more (Luk_18:39): “The instinctive cry of ungovernable emotion, a scream, an almost animal cry.”
If you look up in the Strong’s you will see the difference between the two words.
There are times when we cry out to God that others may very well say the same thing, “Why bother the Lord with such things that would waste His time?”
But I say this, not with my confidence but with the authority of the Word of God.
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Romans 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Luke 18:40 “And Jesus stood, and commanded him to be brought unto him: and when he was come near, he asked him,”
The call of the Lord is as real today as it was while He walked on this earth.
Luke 18:41 “Saying, What wilt thou that I shall do unto thee? And he said, Lord, that I may receive my sight.”
In simple words today, “What do you want from me?”
As I mentioned last week, our prayers ought to be simple and straight forward.
We do not need to beat around the bush, nor do we need to bring them through others.
Just as salvation is given when we ask, so we have the same privilege to call upon the name of Jesus for other needs.
Notice the simple request: “Lord, that I may receive my sight.”
Luke 18:42 “And Jesus said unto him, Receive thy sight: thy faith hath saved thee.”
The blind man indeed received that which he had asked for and so much more… “thy faith hath saved thee.”
Our last thought today.
Notice the response:
1. Immediately he received his sight,
2. And followed him,
3. Glorifying God
4. The response of those that saw it… “gave praise unto God.”
Conclusion:
Are we bring people to Jesus or are we trying to keep them quit so they do not disturb our happy time here?
What is your response when someone is saved and begins to just get happy?
A New Name In Glory
I was once a sinner, but I came
Pardon to receive from my Lord:
This was freely given, and I found
That He always kept His word.
Chores
There's a new name written down in glory,
And it's mine, O yes, it's mine!
And the white robed angels sing the story,
"A sinner has come home."
For there's a new name written down in glory,
And it's mine, O yes, it's mine!
With my sins forgiven I am bound for Heaven,
Never more to roam.
I was humbly kneeling at the cross,
Fearing naught but God's angry frown;
When the heavens opened and I saw
That my name was written down.
In the Book 'tis written, "Saved by Grace,"
O the joy that came to my soul!
Now I am forgiven, and I know
By the blood I am made whole.
Halleluiah What a Saviour!!!
