HOLISTIC HEALING THROUGH THE CROSS.
Luke 18:31-43.
1. Jesus predicts His death and resurrection (Luke 18:31-34).
Jesus was a patient teacher. The Lord reminded His disciples that His journey to Jerusalem would precipitate events which would lead to His death and resurrection. This was why He came into the world. It was not outside His control.
Jesus came into this world so that He might pay the penalty of our sins. His was the ultimate sacrifice to reconcile us to God. Our Lord satisfied the justice of God. He gave His life so that we might be redeemed from the condemnation of God’s law. Jesus died so that we might have eternal life. He saves us from the terrors of hell, and prepares us for His kingdom. It is only by claiming the sacrifice which Jesus has made on our behalf that we ever find peace with God.
Even in the midst of such solemn teaching, the disciples were still preoccupied with their sense of the grandeur of the kingdom of God. They could envisage Christ in all His glory, and yet remained deaf to the message of the cross.
They were amazed that Jesus had ‘steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem’ (cf. Luke 9:51). They were beginning to have the clear apprehension that such a route would lead to their master’s premature death, and that the promises of His kingdom would remain unfulfilled.
The road which the Lord sets before us is not easy. It requires us to give up our selfish ambition, and to walk the path of service. Yet it is a route which leads to a crown of glory for ALL who follow Jesus.
2. A blind man receives his sight (Luke 18:35-43).
Jesus came “nigh unto” Jericho. That there was a blind man by the roadside is no strange thing (Luke 18:35). Hearing the multitude passing by, he asked “what it meant” (Luke 18:36) They told him that “Jesus of Nazareth” was passing by (Luke 18:37). The blind man began to cry out and say, “Jesus, thou Son of David, Have mercy on me" (Luke 18:38).
‘Seek the Lord while He may be found; call on Him while He is near’ (cf. Isaiah 55:6). He may not again be passing this way!
The more the crowd tried to silence him, the more urgently he cried, “Son of David, have mercy on me” (Luke 18:39). Not only did this man, blind though he was, recognise who Jesus is, but he was going to seek, ask, knock until he got his desired result (cf. Matthew 7:7-8). Importunity in the face of adversity!
Having stopped in His tracks, Jesus called him, and when he was come near, He asked Him “What wilt thou that I should do unto thee?” (Luke 18:40-41a). It may seem a strange question: but are we ready to receive the responsibility for all that Jesus has to give us? Without hesitation came the reply: “Lord, that I may receive my sight” (Luke 18:41b).
This man had faith to believe that Jesus is the “Son of David,” i.e. the Messiah. Second, he had the faith to believe that Jesus had the power of God to restore his sight. So Jesus had compassion, and said, “Receive thy sight: thy faith hath saved thee” (Luke 18:42).
What salvation did this man receive? What this man received was a holistic healing, inclusive of the restoration of his sight and the saving of his soul. “And immediately he received his sight, and followed Him” (Luke 18:43).
Lord, give us sight, that we may see You, and follow You in the way!
