Saturday 9 September 2023

Matthew 20:29-34

²⁹ As Jesus and his disciples were leaving Jericho, a large crowd followed him. ³⁰ Two blind men were sitting by the roadside, and when they heard that Jesus was going by, they shouted, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!”

³¹ The crowd rebuked them and told them to be quiet, but they shouted all the louder, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!”

³² Jesus stopped and called them. “What do you want me to do for you?” he asked.

³³ “Lord,” they answered, “we want our sight.”

³⁴ Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and followed him.

“Two blind men were sitting by the side of the road.”

It sounds a bit like the start of a joke!

In this passage, Matthew recounts the story of when Jesus went from Jericho towards Jerusalem. Jesus has changed in his approach to miracles – In Matthew 9, Jesus also heals two blind men, but he does so inside a house, and warns them not to speak to anyone about it.

Today though, Jesus is about to make his triumphal entry into Jerusalem, and go to turn over the tables in the temple! No more hush-hush healing – Jesus rebukes the crowd and heals the blind men in front of everyone! The joke is not on the blind man, but on all those who told them to be quiet!

Lord, thank You that You revealed your power publicly, confirming who Jesus was by having Him fulfil prophesy before His death on the cross.  May I bear witness to your healing power and your power to save, at every opportunity.

Written by Ps Justin Ware