03/03/2025
“Walking With Jesus”
Lesson Commentary
LOC – 113 Jesus Teaches Heals Blind People Learning To See
Have you ever stopped to think about whether you aren’t seeing something that you really need to see? Something about your personality, work, habit or relationships that needed improving and you couldn’t see it? Is there something else that you need to work on, but you just can’t see it?
In Matthew 20:29-34; Mark 10:46-52; Luke 18:35—19:1-10, Jesus comes to Jericho on His way to Jerusalem. He is passing through one Jericho site on the way to the other town. While walking through town, He receives a couple of opportunities to give sight to people who are physically (and spiritually) blind. It is a good thing when we can acknowledge our blindness. Maybe Jesus can help you with that.
The Blind Know Jesus Can Help Them See – Matthew 20:29-30; Mark 10:46-47; Luke 18:35-38
As Jesus is leaving Jericho, He encounters one or two blind men (one named who is Bartimaeus). How many is irrelevant unless someone is just out to try to suggest that the Bible contradicts itself. When they realize that it is Jesus who is passing by, the start crying out for Him to have mercy on them. They sincerely believe that Jesus can help them to see.
No matter what kind of blindness you are dealing with, physical, emotional, mental or spiritual, Jesus can give you the sight that you need to get through it. He may not always grant physical healing, but He will give you insight to see your way through the trials of this life.
Jesus Wants Us to Trust Him – Matthew 20:31-32a; Mark 10:48-49; Luke 18:39-40
Even though some of those with Jesus tell the blind men to be quiet, they persist until Jesus stops and calls them to be brought to Him. He challenges them by asking what they want Him to do. They have to ask.
God is always willing to help us, but first, we must acknowledge that we need His help and be willing to trust Him to act in our best interest. Until you admit you have a problem, there will be no healing. God can’t work with people who are unwilling to acknowledge their need for Him.
Faith Transcends Human Logic – Matthew 20:32b-34; Mark 10:50-52; Luke 18:41-43
In response to Jesus’ challenge, the blind men naturally want to see and they believe that Jesus can do something about it. No information is given about how long they have been blind. Regardless, they “see” that Jesus can give them their sight and ask Him for that favor. Jesus is more than willing to grant their request and the whole crowd praises God for what they have seen Jesus do.
Isn’t it awesome when you see God bless someone else? Can you set aside your own needs and simply be grateful when God blesses someone else? We find joy and hope when we see God doing something that makes someone else’s life better. It encourages us to believe that He can and will help us in what we need in our lives as well.
Even Dishonest People Need Jesus – Luke 19:1-4
Entering Jericho (there are two locations for the ancient ruins and the city of Jesus’ day), Jesus encounters a crowd waiting to welcome Him. As He walks the streets, a tax-collector named Zacchaeus, who is too short to see through the crowd, wants to see Jesus. He climbs a tree along where Jesus will be passing because he wants to see this man that everyone is talking about. He was blind until he met Jesus.
We might be surprised to find out how many of our friends and neighbors would like to know more about Jesus. Everyone is searching for the meaning of life and significance. Jesus provides the answers that they are seeking. It is a blessing when they find that Jesus is looking to save them!
Jesus Cares About Repentant Sinners – Luke 19:5-10
Jesus sees Zacchaeus and recognizes his desire to “see”! Therefore, Jesus invites Himself over to Zacchaeus’ house for dinner. This leads this tax-collector to repent of his sins and return what was defrauded from others back to them with a generous interest. Jesus commends his sincerity and declares that He came to seek and save those who are lost.
All of us have something in his or her past for which we are ashamed. If we can acknowledge our sin, Jesus can work with us to make it a thing of the past. If we don’t accept that we have a problem, we will have no desire to repent. Jesus came to help us improve our spiritual sight. However, if we don’t see that we can’t see, we won’t see what He can do to help us see what we need to see. Get it?
How has Jesus changed your life? How are you living different now than how you lived before Jesus became your Lord and Savior? Are you truly sorry for your past? Are you willing to change how you live to reflect your love, trust and belief in Jesus?
CONCLUSION
Can you look at the others through Jesus’ eyes? Trusting Jesus is our challenge. Jesus cares about those you don’t care about.
(These devotions are not in the Walking With Jesus Bible Study Series volumes. This is additional material for your benefit.)
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