December 16, 2012
Scriptures:
Let’s turn to Galatians 4:1-7. There were two types of bondage—sin and law. We were under sin and the Jews were under the law. But now, because of the works of the Lord, we are free.
Hymn 20 - What means this eager, anxious throng
Prayer
Matthew 9:18-26
Today’s story is actually two stories that are intertwined. Originally, I thought we could call this story “The Two Interruptions,” but I think that “The Two Touches” is a better fit. Last time, we read the words of Jesus, “They that are whole need not a physician.” In today’s story, we have two sick people that need a physician and they know it.
While Jesus was talking to the disciples of John, a man named Jairus came running up to him. He told Jesus that his daughter was dead and pleaded for Jesus to come with him. It seemed like a hopeless case, but this man had the faith that if Jesus touched his daughter, she would be brought back to life.
As they were walking Jairus’s house, a sick woman touched the hem of Jesus’ clothes. This woman thought that if she touched, Jesus she would be healed … and that is what happened. One thing that this woman learned was that she had a relationship with the Lord. Jesus called her “daughter.” When we are saved, we are brought into the Lord’s family. It is there that the Lord Jesus is able to guide and comfort us. One of the things that these two stories have in common is that the woman had been sick for twelve years and the girl was twelve when she got sick.
After Jesus dealt with this woman, they were back on their way to Jairus’s house. As they arrived, they were greeted by a bunch of mourners. While Jairus had been out getting Jesus, his daughter had died. Jesus told them to stop crying and that she wasn’t dead, but sleeping. They all thought he was silly and laughed at him. Jesus went to the girl and took her by her hand and she was brought back to life. We see the power that Jesus had in raising this girl to life. Because of this amazing miracle, Jesus’ fame went through the whole land.
Today we read about two touches. The first was the touch of faith: the woman had the faith that she could touch Jesus and be healed. The second was the touch of power: Jesus only had to touch the girl and she was brought back to life. Last week, we learned that Jesus is all-powerful. All we need to do is have the faith that Jesus is able to do all things.
Luke 18:35-43
Earlier in this chapter we read about the rich young ruler and his dealings with Jesus, but now we read of a beggar and his dealings with Jesus. This blind beggar was willing to follow the Lord even though He was headed toward Jerusalem and the cross. That’s quite a contrast to the ruler, who loved his riches more than he loved God.
The road leading into a city—where this blind beggar sat with his hat out—would have been a busy place, but this particular day was busier than normal because of the large crowd that would follow Jesus. Our blind man heard the crowd and asked, “What’s going on?” The people told him, “Jesus of Nazareth passes by.” This man, however, realized that Jesus was more than just a man from Nazareth and called out, “Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me.” He put the Lord in His divine position.
This blind beggar represents man under the law: blind and helpless. The law requires life in order to fulfill it, but we don’t have that life in ourselves.
This man began to cry out to the Lord, and the people told him to be quiet. They didn’t realize that the Lord loved to give mercy to anyone, and especially to those who knew they needed it. It’s hardest to give the Gospel to people who think that they’re good and don’t need salvation. Rebukes didn’t stop this man, though. He knew his need; and apparently he knew something of Jesus, calling Him the Son of David and asking for mercy like that.
An amazing thing happened in v.40. Jesus stood still. It was like the time in Joshua 10:12-13 where the sun stood still. That was remarkable, but in our passage the Son of God stood still at the cry of a beggar. He then commanded him to be brought to Him. Jesus cared about this man. His call was another of those ‘interruptions’, but it must have refreshed Jesus to see the faith of this man in contrast to the multitude who just followed Him to see the miracles He did. Jesus liked to be bothered, and to His ears the noise of the crowd didn’t drown out this beggar’s cry. This passage really shows our Lord’s heart.
You wonder how long this blind man had known about Jesus and wondered if He would pass by. Jesus was on His way to the cross, so this would be the last time that He would pass this way. If the beggar had waited, it would have been too late, like our hymn said.
When the blind man was brought to our Lord, Jesus asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?” The man replied, “Lord, I want to receive my sight.” Jesus told him, “Receive your sight.” Immediately this man received his sight. We can relate this to ourselves, for we all need mercy, and we all need to have our eyes opened to our sinful condition and the truth of the gospel. II Corinthians 4:3-6. We have been given sight and light; both the Light of Life, and divine light.
The blind man in John 9 gave this testimony to the doubting Pharisees, “One thing I know: whereas I was blind, now I see.” There may be atheists and others out there doubting, but we have this testimony: we can see because of the gospel.
This man received more than sight, though. Jesus told him, “Thy faith hath saved thee.” John 10:27-28. We’ve said before that salvation is a package deal. On top of eternal life, we’ve been given light and a desire to follow the One that has attracted us. May we follow on in this day of much departure from the truth, and give God the portion that He deserves. Psalm 40:3.
It’s lean pickings living as a beggar or a prodigal, but this ex-blind man didn’t return to his begging: he followed Jesus. His life was radically changed when he received his sight, and so our lives are radically changed when grace comes in with the Gospel. We can see, we are attracted by Christ, and want to follow Him.
Jesus told the Pharisees that they were blind leaders of the blind, and that they had eyes but didn’t see. This beggar couldn’t see, but he wanted to. Unfortunately, today, just like the Pharisees of old, there are people who can see…but don’t want to.
Hymn 362 – Two little eyes to look to God
Prayer