Savior Stoops for the Hurting in the Shadow of the Cross
Matthew • Sermon • Submitted
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· 4 viewsJesus models servanthood by stopping to heal the blind men while on his way to the cross.
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Compassion in the Shadow of the Cross
Compassion in the Shadow of the Cross
And as they went out of Jericho, a great crowd followed him. And behold, there were two blind men sitting by the roadside, and when they heard that Jesus was passing by, they cried out, “Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!” The crowd rebuked them, telling them to be silent, but they cried out all the more, “Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!” And stopping, Jesus called them and said, “What do you want me to do for you?” They said to him, “Lord, let our eyes be opened.” And Jesus in pity touched their eyes, and immediately they recovered their sight and followed him.
Vs 29- Jesus is and the disciples are on their way out of Jericho
-Mark and Luke both record this account with a couple small differences
-Luke 18:35- Jesus is entering Jericho
-this is entirely possibe seeing that Jericho was destroyed and rebuilt of which there was actually some ruins left over at that time
-So there was an old Jericho and a more newly rebuilt Jericho, So Matthew and Luke can be saying the same thing
-Also Mark- only mentions one blind man on the roadside here
-This could be because the Blind Bartimeous is now a promiment person Marks audience would recognize- his name would allow them to go seek him out and discuss his healing
So we will try to work through the passage today with the parallel accounts in mind
Jesus is on his way to Jerusalem- the cross awaits him- he about a week away from death
As he leaves Jericho- as in other places he travels- the crowds follow
There was occasions that Jesus would actually preach from a boat because the crowds were so close and pushing in on him
Some reasons why
Miracles- they were amazed at his power
Authority-he spoke with a power and command the religious crowd never had
Compassion- he often healed many and rubbed shoulders with people the religious crowd would never do
And behold, there were two blind men sitting by the roadside, and when they heard that Jesus was passing by, they cried out, “Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!”
Blindness was a common thing in these times and across the world in impoverished areas today
-I read that Jericho was known for having an ointment or salve from a balsam bush that would help with eye problems or blindness
-Even little babies are treated with antibiotics on the eyes when they are born
Its possible that Jericho had a very high population of blind people because of this and many would often stay together
Hope in companionship- So here these two men sit
Marks account as we said makes mention of Bartimaeus- whose name meant “son of excrement” or “son of waste”
-So here sits the outcaste son of waste on the side of the road begging for whatever they could get
That day began just like every other day for them until the middle of the verse
“when they heard that Jesus was passing by”- things changed
-The two outcaste who sit as worthless hear of Jesus - the one who take the worthless and makes it worthy
As they hear he is coming- “they cried out”- they shouted like life depends on it
Look at their proclamation- have mercy on us, Son of David!!
-they identified him as the Messiah- we said last week that there was reasons why they assumed that
-Here the blind man identifies him as the Son of David- the one who reign on David thrones forever- the promised Messiah
-I find amazing- the blind man can recognize the Messiah before the crowds sing his praise in just a few verses
-I find it amazing the blind man can recognize the Messiah when the Religious crowd sought to kill him
But God has always used the weak to shame the strong
The crowd rebuked them, telling them to be silent, but they cried out all the more, “Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!”
He must have been loud- relentless, persistent, desperate
But not one person bring them to Jesus- just tells him to shut up
They have no problem being in the crowd of followers but don’t inconvenience me
Begging was allowed- almsgiving was typical
We see that in Acts 3- When Peter and John head to the temple worship and Peter and John stop and say I dont have any money but I do have Jesus and they heal the lame beggar there
But you dont see them anywhere now!!!
No doubt this encounter had to resonate in their mind because the next time we see in biblical record they come across a beggar, they see him!!!
Crowds of followers unwilling to acknowledge the suffering man crying for one who can help him
He wasnt asking for money, he was asking for Jesus and they ignored him
they had tunnel vision and he didnt fit in it
Possible attention test video
Amazing what we see and not see- what we tune in and what we block out
We do the same thing with souls- but not Jesus
And stopping, Jesus called them and said, “What do you want me to do for you?”
In compassion, Jesus stops
He has places to be, a triumphal entry to make, teachings to give, rebukes to make, a last meal to eat
Betrayal needs to happen, mobs to assemble, mock trials must take place, a cross must be embraced and sin must be taken
But Jesus had time for the hurting and still does
unbeliever you may can sympathize with the beggar- life has been a mess with no hope
But maybe thats not been you- maybe life is good, success has been had, in all aspects your doing well
But let me ask you- what about your soul? to be honest you may sit awake at night and wonder about what happens in the after you die
The bible answer that- Its appointed once to die, then the judgement
Judgement? why? Romans 3:23- we have all sinned and fallen short of Gods glory
the judgement that awaits is death- Romans 6:23
In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
Sin and Satan has left us blinded to this reality- literally a Spiritual Bartimeaus but we just didnt know it
But the great news is that the same Jesus who stopped for Bartimeaus who compassion has compassion for all who repent and trust in Jesus
He proved it in Romans 5:8- He demonstrated his love that even while we were sinners he died for us
So the rest of Romans 6:23 can be attained- the gift of God is eternal life
Unbeliever- God has time for you- and maybe today is the day he ordained to come by way of the HS to your hearts door and call
Are you listening?
As Jesus ask them the simple question
They said to him, “Lord, let our eyes be opened.”
they respond we want to see
And Jesus in pity touched their eyes, and immediately they recovered their sight and followed him.
Again, I believe Jesus in compassion for hurting people but also in pity because of the way sin has affected the creation he made- reaches and touches their eyes and sight is given
He had time for them, he had compassion for them, and he had the cure for them
The men do as Peter, John, Matthew and all the others disciples do when Jesus calls- they follow him
Its the only proper response
Many can be identified today
You may be the blind man- spiritually blind and you know it
You may be in the crowd- just caught up in hysteria and dont know your blind
You maybe a disciple who more concerned about other things- that your ignoring the people crying for Jesus
May we be like the Jesus- Who in the shadow of the cross modeled what it is to be servant
Who had time for the hurting, had compassion for the hurting and had the cure for the hurting....