Jesus Stands Still for Those Who Cry OutThere are three Gospel accounts that mention blind men near Jericho being healed by Jesus. For a long time, it is easy to assume they are all describing the exact same moment and the same man—Blind Bartimaeus—as though “Blind” were his first name and “Bartimaeus” his last. But when we compare Matthew, Mark, and Luke carefully, we begin to see something richer.The Gospels are like stereo sound. One speaker gives one part of the music, another speaker adds something different, and together they create a fuller picture. In the same way, each Gospel writer gives a perspective shaped by what he saw, what he heard, and what the Holy Spirit led him to record. That is one reason our own testimony matters: people need to hear what God has done from more than one voice.The Gospel Accounts Near JerichoIn Matthew 20, Jesus says, “The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” Immediately after that, Matthew records Jesus leaving Jericho with a great multitude following Him. Two blind men are sitting by the road, and they cry out, “Have mercy on us, O Lord, Son of David.”Mark 10 gives a similar setting. Again, Jesus teaches that He came not to be served, but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many. Then Mark tells us that as Jesus went out of Jericho, Blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the road begging.Luke 18 adds another detail. Luke says that as Jesus was coming near Jericho, a certain blind man sat by the road begging. Matthew and Mark describe Jesus going out of Jericho; Luke describes Him coming near Jericho. Rather than treating these details as a contradiction, we should pay attention to them. God placed every word in Scripture for a reason, and these differences invite us to look more closely.A Pattern in the AccountsWhen we compare the passages, several common elements appear:· The blind men were by the road, where the traffic and activity were.· They heard the multitude passing by.· They asked what was happening.· They were told that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by.· They cried out to Jesus as the Son of David.· The crowd tried to silence them.· They cried out even more.· Jesus stood still.· Jesus commanded that they be brought to Him.· Jesus healed them.· They received their sight and followed Him, glorifying God.That pattern matters. These men were blind, but they were not passive. At least some of them were actively begging. They used what they had. They could not see Jesus, and they could not easily get through the crowd, but they could cry out—and they did.Jesus Was on His Way to ServeAt this point in His ministry, Jesus was on His way to Jerusalem to die. His face was set with determination. He had one purpose: to give His life as a ransom for many. He did not come demanding to be served; He came to serve.That is also the attitude He calls us to have. Our first question should not be, “What can others do for me?” but “Lord, what would You have me do?” God blesses us, but He blesses us so that we can become a blessing to others.The Disturbance of Jesus Passing ByWhen the blind man heard the crowd, he knew something unusual was happening. Jesus often creates a disturbance when He comes near. The closer we get to Him, the more He begins to shake things, expose things, and change things.Sometimes the disturbances in our lives are not signs that God is far away; they may be signs that He is drawing near. When trouble comes, we should ask what it means. The blind man heard the multitude and asked what was happening. When he learned that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by, he recognized more than the crowd did. They identified Jesus by His hometown, but the blind man cried out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me.”The Cry for MercyThe blind man did not ask for what he deserved. He asked for mercy. Mercy is God holding back what we deserve; grace is God giving what we do not deserve. By crying for mercy, the man acknowledged his need and his dependence on Jesus.Then the crowd tried to stop him. Even some who were walking with Jesus may have thought He was too busy, too focused, or too important to be interrupted. But the man would not be denied. He cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”Jesus Stood StillOne of the most powerful lines in the passage is this: Jesus stood still.The Lord of the universe, who was on His way to Jerusalem to die for the sins of the world, stopped for one needy man who cried out to Him. The One who governs the winds, the rain, the sun, and every living thing still hears the cry of those who call upon Him.If your need is big enough for you to cry out to the Lord, then cry out. Others may think it is small. Others may tell you to be quiet. But the only thing that mattered that day was ...
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Jun 20 202630 mins