Luke 18:35-42

Luke 18:35. And it came to pass, that as he was come nigh unto Jericho, a certain blind man sat by the way side begging: and hearing the multitude pass by, he asked what it meant. And they told him, that Jesus of Nazareth passeth by. And he cried, saying, Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me.

He did not need to be told twice who was passing by, nor did he need any exhortation to seek Christ's help. It was enough for him that Jesus of Nazareth was near him; so he would cry to him for the help he alone could give. Oh, that we were half as sensible, Oh, that the blindness did not get into men's hearts! If it were not so, every blind soul would at once begin to cry to God for mercy; there is not one poor sinner here, who knows that, Jesus often passes this way, who would not begin at once to cry, «Thou Son of David, have mercy on me.»

Luke 18:39. And they which went before rebuked him,

«Be quiet,» they cried.

Luke 18:39. That he should hold his peace:

«Do not interrupt the flow of those marvellous words, or break the thread of that matchless discourse.»

Luke 18:39. But he cried so much the more, Thou son of David, have mercy on me.

They could not quench the fire that burned within his breast; they did but increase its intensity by all their efforts to put it out. The blind man was so earnest to get his eyes opened that his voice could not be silenced. This was a proof of his common sense and true wisdom. It is remarkable how clearly the blind people mentioned in the Scriptures could see. Oh, that those who think they can see could really see as plainly as this blind man could, and would act as wisely as he did! «He cried so much the more, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me.» This was his only hope; perhaps, his last opportunity; so he availed himself of it to the full.

Luke 18:40. And Jesus stood, and commanded him to be brought unto him: and when he was come near, he asked him, saying, What wilt thou that I shall do unto thee! And he said, Lord, that I may receive my sight.

There was no waste of words. He said what he meant, and he meant what he said, and he knew what he wanted. It is a great thing, in prayer, to know what we really need, a very important thing to be sensible enough not to multiply words, but to cry to the Lord with a definite object, as this blind man said, «Lord, that I may receive my sight.»

Luke 18:42. And Jesus said unto him, Receive thy sight; thy faith hath saved thee. And immediately he received his sight, and followed him, glorifying God: and all the people, when they saw it, gave praise unto God.

That was a blessed praise-meeting, brought about by the healing of that one man. Now that his eyes were opened, he showed that his mouth was not closed. He proved that he could pray well; now he proves that he can also praise well. He prayed when they tried to stop him, and now nobody shall stop him from praise; and he so praised the great Physician that, with the flaming firebrand of his gratitude he set all other hearts in a blaze: «All the people, when they saw it, gave praise unto God.»

This exposition consisted of readings from Luke 18:35; and Luke 19:1.