Blind Dependence
Good Morning Friends,
In today’s scripture the pilgrimage to Passover parade stops. It stops at the crossroads of kingdom and community and we are told three similar stories of healing. And here we have to make some choices. The challenge to getting it right is that almost everyone in the stories is blind. And maybe that includes us. As we approach Jericho in the story from Luke, there is a nameless blind man healed. Then in the middle of town Jesus calls Zaccheus down from a tree and goes to his house, where He remains during the night. In Mark’s story the blind man is healed on the way out of town, we presume the next day. He is given a name Bartimaeus, which means Son of Timaeus and may be a reference to Plato’s dialogue of that same name on gaining sight through knowledge. Also the two blind men in Matthew are placed as Jesus is leaving Jericho on his way to Bethany and Jerusalem. Knowing the number may or may not be important. But realize this, the list of who is blind does not stop there. Jesus’ disciples are blind. The crowd is blind. Thank God Jesus is present with vision to lead. For it is here that we see Jesus invoke the high art of stopping. Here Jesus gives recognition and respect to other human beings. Here we learn to see the difference between our agenda and His. Jesus is not focused on meeting our goals and building our kingdom, but wants us to trust completely in Him… to have Blind Dependence.
Scripture: As Jesus approached Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging. When he heard the crowd going by, he asked what was happening. They told him, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.” He called out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Those who led the way rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” Jesus stopped and ordered the man to be brought to him. When he came near, Jesus asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?” “Lord, I want to see,” he replied. Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight; your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus, praising God. When all the people saw it, they also praised God.
Luke 18:35-43 (NIV)
They came to Jericho. As he and his disciples and a large crowd were leaving Jericho, Bartimaeus son of Timaeus, a blind beggar, was sitting by the roadside.
When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout out and say, ‘Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!’
Many sternly ordered him to be quiet, but he cried out even more loudly, ‘Son of David, have mercy on me!’ Jesus stood still and said, ‘Call him here.’ And they called the blind man, saying to him, ‘Take heart; get up, he is calling you.’ So throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus. Then Jesus said to him, ‘What do you want me to do for you?’ The blind man said to him, ‘My teacher, let me see again.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Go; your faith has made you well.’ Immediately he regained his sight and followed him on the way.
Mark 10:46-52(NRSV)
As they were leaving Jericho, a large crowd followed him. There were two blind men sitting by the roadside. When they heard that Jesus was passing by, they shouted, ‘Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!’
The crowd sternly ordered them to be quiet; but they shouted even more loudly, ‘Have mercy on us, Lord, Son of David!’ Jesus stood still and called them, saying, ‘What do you want me to do for you?’ They said to him, ‘Lord, let our eyes be opened.’ Moved with compassion, Jesus touched their eyes. Immediately they regained their sight and followed him.
Matthew 20:29-34 (NRSV)
Message: Today’s stories in scriptures are about the blind receiving sight. They are stories about how Jesus carried out His mission, how He invested His time and focus… how He opens our eyes to His ways. Appreciate that the setting is on the road to Jerusalem. Jesus is in the final week of His ministry. Observe the crowds and how they love Him because they believe He will soon deliver them from the yoke of the Romans. Understand that these same crowds will soon be crying, “Crucify him,”… that soon Jesus would be betrayed, arrested, beaten and killed. As you look into the stories notice how Jesus, the crowd and the blind men react. Distinguish the pace of people’s responses and timing. Notice that Jesus slowed down when He heard the cry of humility. See with Jesus the big picture, an investment in something eternal. Perceive how He puts service before self. Witness that it was compassion that prompted His investment in others. Focus on the fact that Jesus provides a response to the requests that very instant. Appreciate that the blind are not concerned about getting more than the others, but in trusting Jesus. See that the rewards for the blind men are not bestowed by Jesus because the blind men were good, but because they wanted to be with the One who is the Christ. Get the message that the rewards are not found in how much honor they receive but in how much honor they give.
Friends, as we grope around in the darkness of our sins we begin to see that we must have blind dependence on Jesus. We are not in control. But if we depend on Jesus, he is ready to turn each and every moment of our lives into an opportunity. Helen Keller put it this way: “Better to be blind and to see with your heart, than to have two good eyes and see nothing.” Make no mistake about this, when Bartimaeus through off his cloak he was giving up all that he had to follow Jesus with blind dependence.
Pray we experience what it is to have faith. Pray in life we do not just survive but thrive. Pray we see that Jesus is the Christ. Pray we see that this is our only chance. Pray we see that the crowd is wrong. Pray we see that our actions will make us look like fools in the eyes of the world. Pray we see there is no turning back. Pray we see our obvious need for Christ. Pray we see that we were born to bless not beg. Pray we open our spiritual eyes and see. Pray we have enough faith to believe. Pray we too publicly acknowledge Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of David.
Blessings,
John Lawson
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