552. MAT 20:29-34. THE TWO BLIND MEN

Mat_20:29-34. The Two Blind Men

"And as they departed from Jericho, a great multitude followed him. And behold, two blind men sitting by the wayside, when they heard that Jesus passed by, cried out, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou Son of David," &c.’97Mat_20:29-34.

Wherever Jesus went, he bare with him both the ability and desire to do good to the children of sorrow and affliction. Like the good shepherd, he was ever seeking the wandering sheep. He was emphatically the minister of the poor and the friend of the wretched. Wherever distress and anguish were presented to his eye or assailed his ear, his generous bosom heaved with goodness, and his sacred hands distributed abroad the blessings of his grace. And it made no difference what was the character of the malady to be removed, or the blessing to be imparted. Fevers, dropsies, palsies, demoniacal possessions, were all alike to him. By his energetic voice, afflictions and diseases of every kind were exiled, and blessings of every variety were bestowed. Our present subject relates to the miracle wrought on behalf of two blind men who sat by the wayside near unto Jericho, begging. Jesus having to pass that way, the beggars lifted up their voice and entreated his mercy. To their supplications he lent a ready ear, and in the fulness of his compassion he granted them the desire of their hearts. Observe,

I. The condition of these men.

II. Their application to Christ. And,

III. The cure which he wrought on them Observe,

I. The condition of these men. Two words fully express their state.

1. They were blind. Deprived of the unspeakably precious blessing of sight. A calamity which none can duly understand but those who are the unhappy subjects of it. Many of the joys and pleasures of life are received through the medium of the eyes. The works of God are an unknown blank to the blind. The face of nature and the countenances of friends impart no thrill of gladness to the blind. The luxury of books are not within the province of the blind. Ah, sad deprivation’97mournful state! Yet spiritual blindness is the greater calamity of the two. And this is the condition of all unregenerated persons. One of the characteristics of the sinner is, that he is "blind." That he is a child of the night and of darkness. He beholds nothing glorious in the Divine character, works, or word. He sees no beauty in the kingdom of grace. Ignorant of himself, of the Saviour, and of the way of peace. These men were not only blind, but’97

2. Indigent. Poverty is often the lot of the blind. Hence, these two men depended for their subsistence on the precarious alms of the people who passed by the place where they sat begging. Spiritual poverty is the condition of all who have not obtained the pearl of great price. They may fancy themselves rich and increased in goods, and that they stand in need of nothing; but the truth is, they are poor, and wretched, and naked. In fact, their misery is such that they are ready to perish. Like the famishing prodigal, who exclaimed, "I perish with hunger." Notice,

II. Their application to Christ. Here several things deserve particular notice.

1. The Saviour’s opportune visit. He passed by where they sat, or they might have lived and died in their blindness. They sought not Christ, but he came near to them. Just so in reference to Christ and the gospel. Jesus comes into our world to save sinners. He seeks the perishing sinner. We are found of Christ, and not Christ of us. There was,

2. The announcement of his approach. "They heard that Jesus passed by." Doubtless of Christ and his fame they had often heard before. But now he was near to them, and this was the crisis of hope to those afflicted men. The gospel proclaims to sinners that Christ the Saviour is near to them. In his humanity he is their brother, and in his divinity he is not far from any who seek his grace and desire salvation. See Rom_10:8-15.

3. The petition they presented.

(1.) It was a plea for mercy. They did not claim the Saviour’s gracious interference.

(2.) It was a plea for themselves. The removal of their own misery.

(3.) It was a plea of faith. They honored Christ as the Messiah, the Son of God.

(4.) It was most earnest and importunate. In all these features the prayers of the penitent sinner should resemble those of the blind men. Notice,

4. The difficulties they met with. "The multitude rebuked them, because they should hold their peace." How inconsiderate and cruel! How unfeeling and base! They ought rather to have felt and sympathized with them, and then joined in their prayer. Sin has transformed man’s heart into coldness and stone. It has frozen up the best emotions of the soul. Sinners seeking the Saviour will often meet with similar difficulties. The world will cry to them to hold their peace. Cold and formal professors will do the same, and often friends and kindred, who see no beauty in piety, nor necessity for spiritual anxiety, will do their utmost to hinder them in their fervent efforts to obtain the mercy of Christ. But they cried the more. They reiterated their earnest plea, and did not present it in vain. For observe,

III. The cure which Christ wrought on them.

1. Their cry arrested the Redeemer on the way. "And Jesus stood still." He could not pass on. The prayer of the wretched held him to the spot. He stood to contemplate their misery. He stood to listen to their cry. He stood to pity their state.

2. He kindly inquired as to their desire. "What will ye that I shall do unto you?" Mat_20:32. They reply, "That our eyes may be opened," Mat_20:33. O yes, this was their one misery, and the removal of this, their one desire. Hope would now begin to dawn upon them. Already was the day breaking.

3. He compassionately granted their request. "He touched their eyes." And instantly light breaks in upon them. And now, behold, they see. Marvellous touch’97most wondrous act! It is added that "they followed Christ," Mat_20:34. Doubtless out of love and gratitude. To extol him and celebrate his praise. We would fain conclude that the eyes of their understanding were also opened, and that they became his disciples indeed and of a truth. All sinner sensible of their blindness and misery may thus hopefully apply to the Saviour. "Whosoever calleth upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." Have you felt the evil of your natural state? Have you earnestly sought the Redeemer? Have you, in the midst of affliction, cried the more? Have you obtained your suit? Mark, none but Christ can open the eyes of the mind, or convey peace and salvation to the soul.

Autor: JABEZ BURNS