Knowing The Word in Luke 18:35-43

Jesus Heals a Blind Beggar

18:35 As he drew near to Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging. 36 And hearing a crowd going by, he inquired what this meant. 37 They told him, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.” 38 And he cried out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” 39 And those who were in front rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” 40 And Jesus stopped and commanded him to be brought to him. And when he came near, he asked him, 41 “What do you want me to do for you?” He said, “Lord, let me recover my sight.” 42 And Jesus said to him, “Recover your sight; your faith has made you well.” 43 And immediately he recovered his sight and followed him, glorifying God. And all the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God.

Comments

Jericho was on the road to Jerusalem. It was a city 700’ below sea level. It marked the beginning of the 3,200 foot climb to the temple of the Lord and Zion, the great hill upon which Jerusalem and the temple of the Lord were built. Jesus’ reputation had preceded him. Even the blind man, who was forced to live on the periphery of society, had an idea who Jesus might be. He called him “Son of David,” an Old Testament messianic title. Jesus did not run away from but embraced the title and the man’s request, showing he fully accepted his messianic destiny as he approached Jerusalem. Like the persistent widow, the blind man repeated his request, expecting God to act and extend him mercy. Mercy for the blind man meant recovery of his sight. He knew what he was missing and longed for restoration of his vision. Furthermore, he believed Jesus could do it.

When Jesus said “your faith has made you well,” he did not mean the man’s faith created the cure, but that faith was the means by which he received it. Jesus no longer a commanded the people to keep the miracle a secret. Everything was now in the open, as more and more people were drawn in to follow Jesus as they gave praise to God.

Application

There has been a debate about faith and healing down through the Christian centuries. Does one have to have faith to be healed, or does one accept the healing Jesus gives through faith? In the recordings of the dead people Jesus healed by bringing them back to life and in the people Jesus healed at a distance—those who were not present with him but whose healing a family member requested of Jesus—we see it was not the faith of the recipient of the healing that brought about healing. Jesus healed at will. Those who were healed, then, could accept it by faith, which led to the greater healing of salvation unto eternal life.

Prayer

Jesus, I lift before you today those for whom healing is needed. (Take time to pray for those you know who need Jesus’ healing presence and activity in their lives.)