29 And as they went out of Jericho, a great crowd followed him. 30 And behold, there were two blind men sitting by the roadside, and when they heard that Jesus was passing by, they cried out, “Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!” 31 The crowd rebuked them, telling them to be silent, but they cried out all the more, “Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!” 32 And stopping, Jesus called them and said, “What do you want me to do for you?” 33 They said to him, “Lord, let our eyes be opened.” 34 And Jesus in pity touched their eyes, and immediately they recovered their sight and followed him.
(ESV)
STOP! Think a little 🤔 What is God saying to you?
- What is the writer saying?
- How do I apply this to my life?
As Jesus and His disciples leave Jericho and head toward Jerusalem they travel past two blind men. These men cry out for Jesus to have mercy on them. They refer to Jesus as the Son of David showing that they recognise His authority as the king of God’s coming kingdom. The crowd tell them to be quiet. They clearly don’t see these two men as important enough for Jesus to be bothered with them. The crowed are focussed on a triumphant entry into Jerusalem with Jesus and want to keep things moving. The men call out again for mercy. Jesus stops and engages with the blind men. Jesus’ mission was never for the triumphant entry, although that’s what He always deserved as the rightful king of Israel. Jesus had come for the weakest and so He asks them what they want Him to do for them. When they ask for their eyes to be opened He takes pity on them, touches their eyes and restores their sight. Now there are two more on the road with Him to Jerusalem.
It can be very easy for us to be like the crowd, too full of our own importance and ignoring those who are poor and destitute. But Jesus cares for everyone and wants us to care for the poor and destitute as well (Mat 25:40). Who do you need to stop for and help so they can join you in following Jesus?