Scripture Reference:
Luke 18:35-43
35As Jesus approached Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging. 36When he heard the crowd going by, he asked what was happening. 37They told him, "Jesus of Nazareth is passing by."
38He called out, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!"
39Those who led the way rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!"
40Jesus stopped and ordered the man to be brought to him. When he came near, Jesus asked him, 41"What do you want me to do for you?"
"Lord, I want to see," he replied.
42Jesus said to him, "Receive your sight; your faith has healed you."
43Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus, praising God. When all the people saw it, they also praised God. (NIV)
Pastor Collins’ illustration of Luke 18:35-43 on Sunday June 6, 2010 was that of a man who was not just blind but destitute. He was the symbol, of someone who knew life was about to be altered. The blind man was the image of mankind, which Christ came to heal and save. Christ encourages poor beggars, who men frown upon, and invites them to come to him, and is ready to entertain them, and bid them welcome
Have you ever encountered a special moment of grace, a once in a life-time opportunity you knew you could not pass up? This was such a moment for the blind beggar. Hearing the noise of the crowd, he realized that the number of people on the road crowding into the city was much larger than usual. Crying out to whom ever could hear him, "What is going on?" One of the bystanders said, (v. 37) "Jesus of Nazareth is passing by." He knew who Jesus was and had heard of his fame for healing, but until now had no means of making contact with the Son of David, a clear reference and title for the Messiah. He was determined to get near the one person who could meet his need.
35As Jesus approached Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging. 36When he heard the crowd going by, he asked what was happening. 37They told him, "Jesus of Nazareth is passing by."
38He called out, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!"
39Those who led the way rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!"
40Jesus stopped and ordered the man to be brought to him. When he came near, Jesus asked him, 41"What do you want me to do for you?"
"Lord, I want to see," he replied.
42Jesus said to him, "Receive your sight; your faith has healed you."
43Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus, praising God. When all the people saw it, they also praised God. (NIV)
Pastor Collins’ illustration of Luke 18:35-43 on Sunday June 6, 2010 was that of a man who was not just blind but destitute. He was the symbol, of someone who knew life was about to be altered. The blind man was the image of mankind, which Christ came to heal and save. Christ encourages poor beggars, who men frown upon, and invites them to come to him, and is ready to entertain them, and bid them welcome
Have you ever encountered a special moment of grace, a once in a life-time opportunity you knew you could not pass up? This was such a moment for the blind beggar. Hearing the noise of the crowd, he realized that the number of people on the road crowding into the city was much larger than usual. Crying out to whom ever could hear him, "What is going on?" One of the bystanders said, (v. 37) "Jesus of Nazareth is passing by." He knew who Jesus was and had heard of his fame for healing, but until now had no means of making contact with the Son of David, a clear reference and title for the Messiah. He was determined to get near the one person who could meet his need.
Christ knows all our wants but he want to hear them from us (v. 41): “What do you want me to do for you?” By taking our case before God, with a specific request of our wants and burdens, teaches us the significance of the mercy we are in search of; The blind beggar poured out his soul before Christ, when he replied, “Lord, I want to see.” When we pray we should be precise.
When things in our life decline, and we’re at the point of despair; We can’t see the sunshine for the rain. The storm has lasted so long, that we have exhausted all resources. We must go to Christ, like the blind man, earnestly pleading that he open our eyes, and show us clearly the excellence of his teachings, and the value of his salvation.
Jesus praises the blind beggar for recognizing who he is with the eyes of faith and grants him physical sight as well. (v.42)"Receive your sight; your faith has healed you." Christian friends do you recognize your need for God's healing grace and do you seek Jesus out, with persistent faith and trust in his goodness and mercy?
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