If you had to write a sermon or lesson on Matthew chapter 20, the section you likely would not choose would be verses 29-34. The first half of 20 contains the parable about the workers in the field being paid the same amount of money despite their differing hours of labor. In college, we were told this was an example “social justice.” Never mind that it was supposed to represent a spiritual truth rather than an economic one. Don’t let facts get in the way of the narrative. Another option would be a sermon on Jesus predicting his death (v.17-19). The section after that is interesting as well considering James and John tell Jesus that they can drink the cup He was about to drink. James would be the first, after Jesus, to do so. John’s fate is left to dubious tradition, but we know he was at least exiled. As he found out, nothing can separate us from the love of God. As interesting as these other subjects are, I want to write about verses 29-34 today.
Matthew 20:29-34
29As Jesus and his disciples were leaving Jericho, a large crowd followed him. 30Two blind men were sitting by the roadside, and when they heard that Jesus was going by, they shouted, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!” 31The crowd rebuked them and told them to be quiet, but they shouted all the louder, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!” 32Jesus stopped and called them. “What do you want me to do for you?” he asked. 33“Lord,” they answered, “we want our sight.”34Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and followed him.
Two men were blind yet still recognized Jesus to be: Lord, Son of David, and one who could provide mercy. “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say” (Luke 6:46)? How do we stand up to this verse? How many reject his kingship (son of David). How many don’t realize they need his mercy? Do we do this? The crowd rebuked them from bothering Jesus. Why? Were they not important enough? Does this mean that the crowd did understand Him to be the King, and therefore He shouldn’t be bothered by beggars? Notice the men’s persistence. The Scriptures are full of examples of those who pressed through to God. Jacob wrestled with a man, yet in the end, he wrestled with God. Abraham went back and forth with God in order to spare lives. Zacchaeus climbed a tree to see Him. The woman with issue of blood pressed through the crowd. The paralyzed man’s friends cut out a roof to lower him down. The Canaanite woman wouldn’t take no for an answer when she spoke to Jesus (Matt. 15). Despite the crowds trying to stifle them, the men were determined. Jesus taught the disciples to always pray and never give up (Luke 18:1). How determined are we?
In the end, Jesus healed the two blind men. I’m reminded of parents who are determined to see their prodigals come home. Don’t stop seeking the Lord about them. Be persistent. Don’t give up faith. We don’t walk by sight anyway, so the way things look right now doesn’t matter. Dr. Bowdle used to tell the story of his mother dragging him to church. She even did so on Halloween night, and that is when he accepted the Lord. God doesn’t save the willing; He wills the saving. Go out into the highway and byways and compel them to come in. These men knew they needed him. They knew they needed mercy. After following Him, they soon would have realized how blind they had actually been.
May He provide sight in the things you and I are blind to. The world around us knows that we are angry or depressed or lonely. We don’t see it. The world around us knows we have a drinking problem, but we live in denial. Husbands can’t hear their wives when they tell them things, but when the counselor says it, suddenly they have “ears to hear.” My prayer for you and me is that we have ears when the Master calls. We may be blind, but we can still know when He is coming our way. Do what you must to reach Him. When you do, ask of Him, for He knows your need before you even speak. There is a gap between the prayer spoken and the prayer answered. “…They that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint” (Isaiah 40:31). Remember, we live in the in-between world. The Kingdom’s King has already come. He is at work. Hold on to the promise. Remember what was told to Blind Bartimaeus: “Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you” (Mark 10:49).