Verse of the Day 4/22

Through the Bible - 2 Samuel 4-5, Luke 19:28-48   

 

Good morning,

For today's verse we'll continue in Luke 18 where Jesus is making his final approach to Jerusalem through Jericho.  As often was the case He met someone along the road, someone who needed Him.  This time it was "blind Bartimaeus who called out to Jesus "Son of David", have mercy on me.  This is the first time in Luke that Jesus is hailed as the Son of David.  Way back, Mary had been told that Jesus would inherit the throne of His father David.  Now Jesus is headed towards the city of David to accomplish what He had come for.  He still had time to stop and give sight to a blind man.

 

Luke 18:41 "What do you want me to do for you?"

"Lord, I want to see," he replied.

42 Jesus said to him, "Receive your sight; your faith has healed you."   NIV

Henry Wansbrough writes that the miracle "symbolizes the opening of the eyes of understanding which is about to take place with the revelation of the suffering Messiah at Jerusalem.  It also somehow has the air of a special celebration, summing up Jesus' miracles of healing.  So many features have occurred in previous miracles are present here too.  There is persistence in prayer shown by Bartimaeus' repeated cry, despite scolding of those who heard him.  Luke also stressed his helplessness.  The only contribution which he makes himself is faith, the acknowledgement that Jesus has the power to save him (and save is again used in an unrestricted sense, suggesting not merely the restoration of sight, but the saving of the whole person)."

 

The Light of the World had just come to this man and gave him sight, physical and spiritual.  We also must come to Him by faith and not by sight.

 

May He open the eyes of our hearts daily, that we might see Him, that He might light our way.

 

In Christ,
Mike
mikevw@bellsouth.net
http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com
Eph 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace  NIV
Luke 18:35-19:1

 

Jesus Heals a Blind Beggar

 

35 As Jesus approached Jericho, a blind beggar was sitting beside the road. 36 When he heard the noise of a crowd going past, he asked what was happening. 37 They told him that Jesus the Nazarene was going by. 38 So he began shouting, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!"

 

39 "Be quiet!" the people in front yelled at him.

 

But he only shouted louder, "Son of David, have mercy on me!"

 

40 When Jesus heard him, he stopped and ordered that the man be brought to him. As the man came near, Jesus asked him, 41 "What do you want me to do for you?"

 

"Lord," he said, "I want to see!"

 

42 And Jesus said, "All right, receive your sight! Your faith has healed you." 43 Instantly the man could see, and he followed Jesus, praising God. And all who saw it praised God, too.   NLT