9.00am and 10.30am Sunday 26 October 2003
Rev Des Botting
Reading: Isaiah 35:1-10; Luke 18:35-43
Some background before we look at the passage we read from Luke this morning. Jesus was nearing his journeys end. The last time we had a progress report was in the previous chapter where we learnt from Luke that he was traveling along the border between Samaria and Galilee. Knowing the Samaritans wouldnt take kindly to him passing through their territory, particularly since he was on his way to Jerusalem, Mark tells us that he went to Judea on the other side of the Jordan River. Mark also tells us, large crowds came to him, and as usual, he taught them.[1] He was now nearing Jericho, known as the city of palms, 700 feet below Sea Level. It was like an oasis in a desert as there was very little vegetation beyond the banks of the Jordan River in this part of the country. There were two springs near the city that provided water to irrigate the rich soil of the Jericho plain. Before coming into Jericho he would have had to cross the ancient ford, where once the children of Israel under Joshuas leadership had crossed over in safety. Back in Joshuas time Jericho was a fortified city surrounded by imposing walls. That city was destroyed, and a new city, described as a gem of Graeco-Roman architecture, had been built by Herod the Great. Keller, in his book The Bible as History tells us that it featured a magnificent palace, a theatre, and amphitheatre, cut into the hillside, and a circus, all adorned with dazzling white pillars that sparkled in the sunlight. Magnificent fountains played in the luxuriant gardens with their massed banks of flowers. Outside the town stretched the balsam plantations the most precious plants in the whole of the Mediterranean because of the oil they provided, while deep palm groves offered coolness and shade.[2] This was the last resting place for pilgrims before beginning the six-hour ascent through robber-infested country to the nations capital, Jerusalem. Jesus story of the Good Samaritan provided insight into what might await unsuspecting travelers on that road.
Its not without significance that Jesus, whose name is the Greek form of the Hebrew name Joshua, was retracing the path of Joshua; and just as Joshua led his people to free the land of their enemies so that they could take possession of their promised inheritance, so Jesus had come to cast out the ruler of this world so that we might be delivered from his power and receive our inheritance, eternal life.
In the verses immediately before those that we read this morning, Jesus reminded his disciples once again of what lay ahead, that he would be beaten and killed, but would rise three days later. Jesus never spoke of his death without foretelling his resurrection. He knew that both shame and glory lay before him. Because he was certain of ultimate victory, he faced the apparent defeat of the cross, for without a cross there can never be a crown. Following Jesus involves sharing in his sufferings. Well look at this more closely in a fortnights time when we take part in the Day of Prayer for the Persecuted church.
On the outskirts of this city sat a blind man. This was a typical sight in biblical times as diseases of the eye were very common. Thomson in his work, Land and Book, says of one city, The ash heaps are extremely mischievous; on the occurrence of the slightest wind the air is filled with a fine, pungent dust, which is very injurious to the eyes. I once walked the streets counting all that were either blind or had defective eyes, and it amounted to about one-half of the male population. The women I couldnt count, for they are rigidly veiled. Another writer, Palgrave, writing about central and eastern Arabia, says that Ophthalmia is very prevalent, especially among children. It would be no exaggeration to say that one adult of every five have their eyes more or less damaged by the consequences of this disease.[3] This may well have been the cause of this mans blindness as a more accurate translation of what he said when Jesus asked him, What do you want me to do for you? is Lord, that I may see again. Jesus uses exactly the same word in his response, See again, your faith has healed you. The implication is that he once had his sight, but something had happened that made him blind.
The plight of such people was unenviable. Unable to work for a living there was no recourse open to them but to beg for a living. The Law of Moses made it clear that God didnt want his people to make fun of the deaf or to cause the blind person to stumble,[4] and that offences against a blind person, particularly if they told them to go the wrong way, would lead to the offenders having a curse placed upon them.[5] Theres an interesting insight in Exodus when God spoke to Moses out of the burning bush He said he was sending him to Egypt to tell Pharaoh to let his people go.
Although this man couldnt see, he heard the commotion of the crowd as it drew closer. He was eager to learn what was happening, and in response to his queries he was told, Jesus of Nazareth is passing by. No doubt he would have heard from others how Jesus had healed the sick, made the lame to walk, the deaf to hear and the blind to see. He knew Jesus could help him and so he wasnt about to let this opportunity go by. He starts shouting, Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me![6] Like the tax collector who prayed in the temple, he knew he could only cast himself on the mercy of God. There was nothing he could do to help himself. (And in calling Jesus, the Son of David, he shows that he knew Jesus was the Messiah.) Those passing by tried to hush him up, and told him off for making such a fuss. But this only made him all the more determined to catch Jesus attention. When Luke tells us that he shouted even louder, he uses another word, one that means to make quite a din, to even scream or shriek. There was nothing half-hearted about this mans desire to receive help. There was desperation in his cry that couldnt go unnoticed by the One who came to reveal the abundant mercy of God, and to suffer that we might be healed and made whole. This blind man is another example of how persistent, fervent prayer will be rewarded. The widow showed this when she constantly pestered the crooked judge. This beggar does exactly the same. God is ever open to our cries.
Above the noise of the crowd, Jesus heard this mans cries, and he stops and commands some people to bring the blind man over to him. Even although Jesus knew his death was near, and no doubt this lay heavy on his mind, he still had time to stop and help this beggar. As then, so now, Jesus always makes time for those in need. Luke uses a specific word for bring that was a common medical term for bringing the sick to a physician. The fact that its found only in Luke, further supports the contention that he had a medical background. What these people did for this blind man, we can do for others. Jesus encourages all who are weary and are carrying heavy burdens to come to him and he will help them.
He asks, What do you want me to do for you?[7] Surely it was obvious what he needed. But Jesus doesnt assume that. He asks him to say what he wants. Jesus does this on a number of occasions. Although he knows what our needs are even better than we know ourselves, he doesnt ride roughshod over our free will. He wants us to be specific, too. He will only do what we ask and allow him to do. He never barges in. This is why he said to the man by the pool of Bethesda, Do you want to be healed?[8]
Jesus is here today, and he says to you as he did to the blind man: What do you want me to do for you? Whats your need today? What is the burden you bear? Can I help you? We can learn from this blind man how to have our needs met by first,
1. being whole-hearted in seeking Jesus. Call on him, for he hears every prayer. Dont let others discourage you, put you off, or point you in other directions. Be single-minded and focus on Jesus alone.
2. Believe that because he loves you infinitely, Jesus can and will help you. Faith has played a vital part in every healing in Lukes Gospel. Jesus said to the one leper who returned to give thanks, Your faith has made you well.[9] It was faith that made with widow persist until she received justice from the crooked judge. Jesus said to this blind man, Your eyes are healed because of your faith. It cannot be said often enough -Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.[10] This is why Jesus said, When the Son of Man comes, will he find on this earth anyone with faith?[11] The essence of faith can be summed up in the acrostic on this word Forsaking All I Trust Him. This is what the blind man did, and we must do the same.
3. You need to be specific in your request. In response to Jesus question, What do you want me to do for you? this blind man said, Lord, I want to see! You need to be just as clear about what you want Jesus to do for you. Specific prayers get specific answers. When Nehemiah was concerned for the state of Jerusalem, he had specific requests sorted out in his mind when he came before the king, and all of them were granted. We have been looking for some soundproof doors so that the young people can use the far end of the lounge while the choir practices before the service. The quotes we received were $6,000 plus. Jane saw exactly the doors we needed at her work. Then she learned that renovations were to be done in this part of the building and that these doors were going to be disposed of. She plucked up courage to ask the appropriate people saying what they were wanted for and was told she could have them if they were taken within ten days. It was an amazing answer to prayer. Many of you can probably share similar stories. God can do amazing things, but we need to be specific in our requests.
What happened as a result of this healing.
1. The blind man was set free to live a full and useful life again. He didnt need to beg anymore. When we allow Jesus to open our eyes to Gods truth, we are set free to be all God created us to be. We become a brand new person inside. You are not the same anymore. A new life begins!
2. He followed Jesus. The first person he would have seen when his eyes were opened was the one who showed mercy. Luke tells us he went with Jesus. Jesus invites us each one of us to follow him, too.
3. He thanked God. As we saw with the ten lepers, God wants us to be thankful, to come into his presence with thanksgiving in our hearts, to make our requests known to him with thanksgiving. God also wants us to be thankful in every circumstance, knowing that he is always at work for the good of everyone who loves him.[12]
4. His healing brought glory to God. We read, When the crowds saw what happened, they praised God.[13] This was always the outcome of Jesus healings - people gave glory to God. This reminds us of the very purpose we were created for, namely to bring honour and praise to God. God wants us to let our light shine so that others will see the good we do and praise our Father in heaven.[14]
There is an old song that goes like this, Pass me not, O gentle Saviour, hear my humble cry; while on others Thou art calling, do not pass me by. Saviour, Saviour, hear my humble cry; while on others thou art calling, do not pass me by. Jesus is here today. He will hear your cry, and your faith will make you well.
[1] Mark 10:1 (All Bible references are from the Contemporary English Version unless otherwise stated.)
[2] Keller, Werner. The Bible as History. Hodder & Stoughton, London, 1957. p..349.
[3] Quoted in M R Vincents Word Studies in the New Testa,ment, p. 115.
[4] Leviticus 19:14
[5] Deuteronomy 27:18
[6] Luke 18:38
[7] Luke 18:41
[8] John 5:6
[9] Luke 17:19
[10] Hebrews 11:6 NIV
[11] Luke 18:8
[12] Romans 8:28
[13] Luke 18:43
[14] cf Matthew