Slices
Prepare
What harsh reality is troubling you? What aspect of your life would you like God to change?
Bible passage
Jesus predicts his death a third time
31 Jesus took the Twelve aside and told them, ‘We are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written by the prophets about the Son of Man will be fulfilled. 32 He will be handed over to the Gentiles. They will mock him, insult him and spit on him; 33 they will flog him and kill him. On the third day he will rise again.’
34 The disciples did not understand any of this. Its meaning was hidden from them, and they did not know what he was talking about.
A blind beggar receives his sight
35 As Jesus approached Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging. 36 When he heard the crowd going by, he asked what was happening. 37 They told him, ‘Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.’
38 He called out, ‘Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!’
39 Those who led the way rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, ‘Son of David, have mercy on me!’
40 Jesus stopped and ordered the man to be brought to him. When he came near, Jesus asked him, 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.’ 43 Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus, praising God. When all the people saw it, they also praised God.
Explore
There are two forms of blindness on display in this passage. The first involves the disciples as they completely fail to process Jesus’ concise summary of what awaits him – and them – when they get to Jerusalem (vs 31–33). They are unaware of their blindness. The second is about a man whose physical eyesight has failed (v 35). He is acutely aware of his blindness. Both will require a miracle if healing is to occur.
On several occasions Jesus told his disciples plainly and bluntly that he would be rejected, tried and murdered in Jerusalem (see Mark 8:31–33 and 9:30–32; Matthew 16:21– 28; Luke 9:22– 27). At each instance they completely miss the point, or even challenge Jesus to change the narrative. This is in such contrast to the immediate response of the blind man. He joyfully praises God and follows Jesus (v 43).
The issue of wilful blindness crops up many times in the Gospels. It is usually a refusal to confront reality because it is some combination of scary, embarrassing or inconvenient. It is only when we can see the truth of who Jesus is, what he has done and what that all means that we are able to navigate the world with our eyes wide open.
Respond
Is there anything God wants to show you that you’re reluctant to engage with? He loves to open the eyes of the blind. Ask for that miracle today.
Deeper Bible study
Reflect on your sense of God’s purpose and calling in your life. Where does it seem clear? Where are you needing greater insight and wisdom?
From the moment he set his face towards Jerusalem,1 Jesus has been walking towards the cross. He speaks to his disciples on the way about how God’s purpose will be fulfilled, but the disciples fail to understand. As they approach Jericho, they’re greeted by many who are excited to see Jesus. The buzz of anticipation reaches a blind beggar as the crowds pass by. Intrigued, he asks what’s going on. When he hears that it’s Jesus, the beggar starts to make a massive racket like the people with leprosy whom Jesus met earlier,2 desperate not to let the opportunity pass him by. Those leading the way rebuke him, telling him to shut up, but the blind man will not stay in his place. He becomes as outrageously loud as he can manage, shouting, ‘Son of David, have mercy on me!’ (vs 38,39).
Jesus pauses on the way to the cross, perhaps intrigued by the blind man’s insight into his identity as the one who will claim David’s kingdom. Far from leaving him, rebuked, in his place, Jesus commands him to be brought near. The beggar had asked for mercy, so Jesus asks him to clarify what he wants (is it more than coins for food?). The man has the faith to proclaim Jesus as Lord and to ask (literally) that he may see again. Echoing the words that he had quoted in Nazareth,3 Jesus proclaims recovery of sight for the blind. With sight restored, the man chooses the kingdom and follows Jesus, full of ecstatic praise. Even those who’d wanted him to stay in his place join in.
The contrast in today’s passage between what Jesus does for others and what will be done to him is stark. Still he walks the way of the cross, still he chooses the kingdom.
Remember those particularly on your heart. Read Isaiah 61:1–3 and pray for Jesus the Anointed One to minister to them in these ways.
1 Luke 9:51 2 Luke 17:12,13 3 Luke 4:18
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: Genesis 34–36; Matthew 13
Pray for Scripture Union
Be More Micah – Racial Justice is a challenging project. Pray for everyone involved in creating this new Faith Guide Hub collection, that they will demonstrate justice, kindness and humility. And pray that the resources will have that same impact for Faith Guides and young people.
