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Saying, ‘What do you want me to do for you?’ And he said, ‘ Lord, that I might regain my sight.’

Luke 18:41

He has done so much! But, examining this, one might ask, why did Jesus ask this? Didn’t He know what the man wanted? Anyone could have answered that question. Was it merely rhetorical?

First, Jesus is here confirming for the blind man that it was ok to shout after Him, regardless of what the crowd had said. Second, Jesus could help this man with far more than just his eyesight. Jesus was interested in his faith. He wanted this individual to once again share the faith he had in Christ.

Notice that after this miracle this man was not told to keep it secret. This man followed Christ and praised Him. His was one that Jesus chose to be a very public miracle, and a confirmation of His title as the Son of David.

Heavenly Father, every day we are reminded that Your truth makes a difference in our lives. We cannot live as we would, but instead are lead to live as we ought. Thank You for mercifully staying involved with Your creation, and for making salvation possible. Our sin is overshadowed by Your great compassion! In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

Then, standing still, Jesus commanded that he should be brought to Him. When he drew near, He inquired of him,

Luke 18:40

When Jesus comes to a stop, we must do the same. How often do we keep right on walking while Jesus has stopped to help someone?

As the church here on earth we are meant to be the body of Christ. This means we should do what He does. Now, though we should care for the physical needs of others, we must care for their spiritual needs as well. We must not keep moving on with business as usual while Jesus has stopped to address a specific spiritual need.

Heavenly Father, thank You for the Bible! It is a great joy and blessing to be able to read Your chosen words and learn Your truth. You have shared so much with us! I am always able to go to Your book and find something for my soul. You are so wonderful! In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

Then those who went before rebuked him that he might not shout, but he shouted much more, ‘Son of David, have mercy on me!’

Luke 18:39

How many times have the children of this world sought to silence His people? And friendly fire is the most common form of this! We must shout, we must cry, for He can hear even our thoughts, so why hold back? Shout!

Heavenly Father, thank You for listening to us! We so often forget that You are at work even now. You have not stopped for a break. You are listening, hearing our prayers. You are active in our world by Your Holy Spirit in the church. We praise You for Your work in this world! In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

And, shouting, he said, ‘Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!’

Luke 18:38

He did not wait a second! The blind man knew exactly what he needed to do. There was no time to be lost. And, he understood very clearly Who he spoke to and what he was asking for.

The way this man addressed Jesus is unique, though completely accurate. The lineage of Jesus’ family would have been no secret. What people had to say about the circumstances of His birth may have been a different matter. In any case, the blind man recognized the significance of Christ’s royal pedigree. By this very statement he was making a declaration of faith. No Jew who heard it would have had any question in their mind as to how the blind beggar felt about Christ.

Heavenly Father, thank You for Christ! His work for us is so gloriously beautiful! Redemption is the source of hope for millions and millions. How could I ever shout Your praise loud enough? From the sky we should shout ‘Son of David have mercy!’ Oh thank You for the grace that You have made available! In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

So they told him that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by.

Luke 18:37

I can only imagine what was going on in this man’s heart at the time. Possibly he had anticipated this moment. Apparently he had already thought out what he would say and do in this situation. Unlike others who had not yet made up their minds about Jesus, he had evidently already done so.

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your mercy! Forever I will learn more about You. I know there is so much I have not yet seen, and I have heard so much more than I have really listened to. You are holy beyond all I can imagine! Thank You! In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

And, hearing the crowd passing through, he asked, ‘Who is this?’

Luke 18:36

Having been blind for some time, this man would recognize the sound of a crowd walking by. Of course a large crowd would have some person of note within it, or would be a particular group headed somewhere for some important event.

Heavenly Father, we so easily forget how blessed we are in America! But You care for and watch over Your people all over this globe. Only by Your power does any of us live from day to day. And, without Your Blessed Hope, this world would immediately pour itself into the abyss. Thank You for Your goodness! In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

It happened as He was in the approach into Jericho, someone blind was sitting beside the way begging.

Luke 18:35

The beautiful serendipity of the life God has planned for each of us is at once surprising and delightful. But, the ‘happenstances’ are all in His glorious plan. Yes, it just so happened that this blind person was there that day. But Jesus knew, as He had known thousands, and millions, of our years before.

One of the important things to understand about our God is that He doesn’t just know everything that will happen. He knows everything that could have, should have, would have, and might have happened. Every possible variable is completely in view for Him. Included in His omniscience is prescient knowledge of everything.

Heavenly Father, You are glorious! As humans, we like our heroes to be like us, very limited. But when we begin to understand Your limitless nature, we see that all heroes are but a poor reflection of Your goodness and steadfast love. In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

But they understood none of these things, and this saying was hidden from them, and they did not understand what was said.

Luke 18:34

There are two reasons for this. First, the disciples had the common human malady of not paying attention to things that they do not feel completely certain about. We tend to operate on the basis of what we know vs what ‘might be’ so in our thinking.

Second, the Lord withheld the exact meaning. He wanted them to know something was coming, and that was a mercy. But He also kept them from knowing exactly what it was, and that was in accordance with His will.

Heavenly Father, thank You for knowing us so well! You alone can handle us properly. You know what we truly need and are the only hope we have. Thank You! In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

‘and whipped, killing Him. And the third day, He will rise up.’

Luke 18:33

One of my favorite things to point out is the fact that Jesus had no doubts about what would happen. He knew from eternity past that He would rise again after the death He must endure. Death was simply a step along the way, an enemy to be subdued. It was not even remotely final for the Darling Son of the Father.

Heavenly Father, You are so amazing! Christ is awesome! The plan of redemption is so beautiful. Thank You for the power of truth and love. We will praise You forever! In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

He will be be delivered by betrayal to the nations, and will be ridiculed, and insulted, and spit upon,

Luke 18:32

Jesus is very specific, and everything He says here would shortly take place. A normal human being in His position would not be able to know exactly what might happen. The mock trial and crucifixion He was about to ensure was more impromptu from man’s perspective. To be sure the Jewish leaders had it in for Him. But they themselves could not have been this specific as to what would actually happen.

Heavenly Father, thank You for the sufficiency of Christ! We are so flawed and proud, but You have made a way for us to be forgiven. And when we think we are worthless You remind us that it was for us that Jesus died. How amazing! We will praise You forever! In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.