Susan Boyle is now an internationally acclaimed singing star. However, back in 2009 when she first auditioned for a British television talent show, her stated ambition of becoming a professional singer was met with derision. Before she had even sung a note, she had been written off as having no hope of realising her dream – presumably because of her appearance. 

Something like that happens to the two blind men sitting by the road out of Jericho. Their attempt to attract the attention of Jesus (v 30) is met with contempt from the accompanying crowd (v 31), some of whom may well have tossed a couple of coins their way to ‘buy their silence’, having judged that money must be all that these social outcasts were after. Jesus, however, hears something more in their persistent cries – nothing less than a faith that literally stops him in his tracks (v 32). Though blind, these beggars already see Jesus – whom they address as God’s Messiah – as the one who can restore their sight (v 33). Jesus’ question to them is not to nurture a previously absent faith, but to tease out their existing faith for the benefit of the crowd that had written them off.  

Contrary to appearances, these men are model disciples who ask in faith, according to kingdom priorities, and so receive just as Jesus promised (Matthew 7:7,8). 

Lord Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on all who are in need. Touch our eyes. Open our eyes that we may see. Amen.

Some thirteen to fifteen centuries before Joshua Messiah (Jesus Christ), Joshua son of Nun came to Jericho and God destroyed the Canaanite inhabitants.¹ Ultimately, Joshua seized the land and Israel took up residence. Now, the new Joshua is in town. He is en route to destroy the work of the forces of evil.² He will not do this by destroying Romans and subjugating sinners by force, but by himself being destroyed at the hands of the ruling imperial powers, the Jewish elite and Rome. He performs no demonstrations of power as he approaches, enters and continues on his way. He does not go to Herod Antipas’ salubrious winter palace in Jericho and confront the puppet king. He carries on towards Jerusalem with throngs anticipating the moment he will liberate the nation from the Gentiles.

His relentless path to the cross is halted by two desperate blind men, crying out to the Lord and Son of David for mercy. Strangely, they know his identity and his power to heal, not destroy. Impatient to get to Jerusalem and liberation, the crowd demands silence from these nobodies. Nevertheless, they will not be silenced and stop Jesus in his tracks. As with the wife of Zebedee earlier (v 21), he asks what they want from him. They plead with him to open their eyes – and Jesus accedes. Jesus is filled with a gut-wrenching compassion (splanchnizomai) and his touch enables their spiritual sightfulness to flower into physical sight. Despite there being no summons to do so, they become disciples and follow Jesus.

We see how Jesus works. He came not to condemn, but to serve and restore.³ We are to be like the blind men, crying out for his healing touch and deciding to follow him. Empowered by his Spirit, we walk in his footsteps, making people whole.

Identify first with the blind men; cry out your requests to God. Identify now with Jesus; follow him along the way of healing.

¹ Josh 5:13 – 6:27  ² 1 John 3:8  ³ John 3:17