As Jesus approached Jericho, a blind beggar was sitting beside the road. 36 When he heard the noise of a crowd going past, he asked what was happening. They told him that Jesus the Nazarene was going by. So he began shouting, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”
“Be quiet!” the people in front yelled at him. But he only shouted louder, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” When Jesus heard him, he stopped and ordered that the man be brought to him. As the man came near, Jesus asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?”
“Lord,” he said, “I want to see!” And Jesus said, “All right, receive your sight! Your faith has healed you.” 43 Instantly the man could see, and he followed Jesus, praising God. And all who saw it praised God, too. Luke 18:35-43
Stories in the Bible often mean more than a first glance reveals. At one level, this story of a blind man in Jericho wonders about what all the commotion is and, when told that it’s Jesus, starts to shout, “have mercy on me.” And Jesus heals him. That’s it. Simple and straightforward.
But underneath the veneer of a story about physical blindness and healing is a larger story about spiritual blindness. The blind man, even without physical sight, has more penetrating and astute sight than many of the purported teachers and religious leaders who would, only a few days from now, execute Jesus.
First of all, the blindman knew he was blind. “What’s all the commotion about,” he asks. And then, “have mercy on me” and “I want to see.” Not afraid to admit his inability to see. By contrast, there were others around him who were perfectly capable of physical sight, but blind to the things of spiritual truth.
He was also humble and willing to accept help from Jesus, acknowledging the power of Jesus to achieve the desired state of sight. Unlike the religious leaders who tried to diminish the power of Jesus.
The Blind Man was typical of all those who would follow Jesus. Believers in the person called Son of Man and Messiah, bearer of Good News, and full of truth.
Prayer: Our Lord, we want to have the kind of faith that the Blind Man did. Though he could not see Jesus physically, he could “see” the truth of what Jesus brought. May we have that sight. In your name we pray this. Amen.