Have Mercy

4. March 2009 by Bernice Davis.

Hello:

 

Today we close out the 20^th chapter of Matthew.

 

Our last text is a miracle story.  Here is the text:

 

Matthew 20:29 As Jesus and his disciples were leaving

Jericho, a large crowd followed him. 30 Two 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!” 31 The crowd rebuked them and told them to be quiet, but they shouted all the louder, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!” 32 Jesus stopped and called them. “What do you want me to do for you?” he asked. 33 ”Lord,” they answered, “we want our sight.” 34 Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and followed him. (NIV)

 

As I was teaching on yesterday, Jesus is heading to

Jerusalem and there he will face his accusers which will ultimately end up in his crucifixion.  As Jesus was leaving the city of

Jericho there was a large crowd following him and there were two blind men sitting by the roadside.  When they heard Jesus pass by they shouted “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us.”  This phrase “Son of David” is a familiar term throughout the New Testament especially in the mouth of those seeking healing.   According to the prophetic passages in the Old Testament concerning the Messiah (particularly in Isaiah) He would be one whom will have mercy and heal all manner of sickness and disease.   When you hear this term, the people were appealing to the prophecies that they had heard about Jesus and his ability to have mercy and compassion on those who needed healings.

 

Look what happens next.  The crowd rebukes them.  I am always amazed at the crowd.   Where were the compassionate ones that knew that it would be but a small thing for Jesus to heal these blind men and assist them to get to Jesus?   

Maybe they were trying to protect Jesus because there were so many demands on him, maybe they were trying to help him get to his destination because if they allowed him to deal with every need, he would not have made it or maybe they were just un-compassionate and selfish.  We really don’t know, but what we do know is that what they rebuked, Jesus had compassion and healed.  When the crowd told them to be silent, they screamed the louder.   I love their persistence. 

In this world that we live in, it is unfortunate that people will constantly attempt to block our progress concerning the things of God.  Even some of the people that we think should be compassionate or that are leaders in the church can sometime disappoint us and even be a hindrance to what we’re trying to accomplish.   We must never no-matter who it is allow anyone to hinder us from getting what we need from God.    Don’t ever give up.   I just recently experienced something in my life and the spiritual people that that I thought I could trust were the actual ones that caused the situation.  It threw me for a loop and if I allow it, I could easily see myself sinking into a depression.  One thing I have learned in life is that God is in control.   Keep pushing, Keep moving, Keep taking baby steps though it seems like you’re not progressing, you really are and God works it out in the end.  

 These blind men ignored the crowd and kept shouting and Jesus calls them to him and said what you want from me.  They said; “we want our sight.”  How perfect…….   We wanna see……. Jesus.     The bible says that Jesus had compassion on them and he healed them and they followed him.

I was so touched by this simple miracle.   It just shows me that nobody can block the mercies of God for our lives no matter if they are a part of the crowd who’s following Jesus.  

 

 Stay encouraged!!!!!!!!

 Don’t forget to pray and read God’s word daily. 

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