35 And it came to pass, as he drew nigh unto Jericho, a certain
blind man sat by the way side begging: 36 and hearing a multitude
going by, he inquired what this meant. 37 And they told him, that
Jesus of Nazareth passeth by. 38 And he cried, saying, Jesus, thou
son of David, have mercy on me. 39 And they that went before
rebuked him, that he should hold his peace: but he cried out the
more a great deal, Thou son of David, have mercy on me. 40 And
Jesus stood, and commanded him to be brought unto him: and when he
was come near, he asked him, 41 What wilt thou that I should do
unto thee? And he said, Lord, that I may receive my sight. 42 And
Jesus said unto him, Receive thy sight: thy faith hath made thee
whole. 43 And immediately he received his sight, and followed him,
glorifying God: and all the people, when they saw it, gave praise
unto God.
As for the last time Jesus was journeying through Jericho, he healed a
blind man whom Mark in his record names Bartimæus. This miracle was a
proof of divine power and an expression of human sympathy, but it was also
a parable of the ability which Jesus alone has of giving sight to the
morally blind and of imparting that spiritual vision which is absolutely
necessary if men are to live in right relations to one another and to God.
In certain minor details Luke’s account differs from those of Matthew and
Mark. The former mentions two blind men and agrees with Mark in stating
that the miracle occurred as Jesus was leaving the city. Possibly Mark and
Luke refer to the best known of the two men and Luke may designate the
older of the two towns which bore the name of Jericho. All agree, however,
in picturing the pitiful condition of the helpless man who because of his
blindness was reduced to beggary and was a true symbol of the misery to
which one is brought by the lack of spiritual sight.
Then there is the picture of the obstacles to be overcome, of the doubts
and difficulties that lie in the way of those who seek to come under the
healing influence of our Lord. “They that went before rebuked him, that he
should hold his peace.” Often do those who yearn for light and healing
hear words which dishearten and suggestions which lead to hopelessness and
despair!
Again there is the picture of eager determination and of unshaken faith.
“He cried out the more a great deal, Thou son of David, have mercy on me.”
He had been told that “Jesus of Nazareth” was passing by. He, however,
called him “Jesus, thou son of David.” He recognized the Prophet of
Nazareth as the promised Messiah, the Saviour of the world, and when
rebuked for crying to him for mercy, he continued steadfast in his faith
and his confident trust that Jesus would sympathize and heal.
Lastly, there is the picture of complete relief. The blind man was not
disappointed. Jesus said unto him, “Receive thy sight: thy faith hath made
thee whole.” How many likewise have found Christ able and willing to give
them spiritual vision! Their eyes have been opened to behold things unseen
and eternal and they have been enabled to follow the Master with joyful
footsteps as they journey toward the celestial city where they will see
the King in his beauty and will be like him when they “see him even as he
is.”
Such miracles of grace rejoice the hearts not only of those who are
healed; they occasion gratitude and joy to countless others also as they
are assured of the sympathy and grace and divine power of the Saviour. As
Luke here states, “All the people, when they saw it, gave praise unto
God.”