Day 88

Luke 18:31–42 (NIV)

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, spit on him, flog him and kill him. ³³ 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.

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.”

Pray for God to show you something to use from the passage

Read the Passage

Who is in the passage?

What action verbs do you see?

What other words stick out in your mind

Questions

Why do the disciples not get what Jesus says about what he will face?

What about the blind man should we try to put in our faith?

What keeps you from having the faith of the beggar?

Notes

This whole section continues to deal with what it takes to be a follower of Jesus.

vs 31- 34 this is the third time Jesus has mentioned His death (9:22, 44) Luke again makes the point about not understanding it. He talks as if part of God's purpose was to hide it from them. Why? Would it have been too much for them to take? Would they have run off? Would they have started to fight? We do not know. One thing is clear they still cannot see Jesus as having to die. It doesn't fit their profile of the Messiah. Did they look at what Jesus had said as some sort of parable that they had not yet figured out?

vs 31- Jesus again points to the fact that He is fulfilling the Old testament. (16:16-17) He doesn't say what parts are being fulfilled but from this side of the cross we see many places (Isa 53)

vs 32- Jesus this time doesn't emphasize the role of the Jewish leaders like he has, rather this time the emphasis is placed on the Gentiles. From 9:22 and this passage it is clear that everyone has a hand in Jesus' death.

The words mock, insult, spit, flog, kill fit well into the practice of Roman humiliation and death. It was not enough to kill someone you wanted them to suffer as much as possible so they would be an example of the wrath of Rome.

vs 35- almost to show comparison to the spiritual blindness of the disciples in vs 34 we come to this story of a blind man being given his sight.

The blind would beg (it was an understood behavior because there was no other way of them having money) This time of year would have been good for begging as thousands came into Jericho on their way to Jerusalem for the Passover.

vs 36- the crowd is clearly bigger than normal as people flock to Jesus. The blind man perceives this and asks what is going on.

vs 37- Notice how the crowd refers to Jesus verses how the man does. For the crowd they state Jesus’ hometown. For the beggar he states who Jesus is! He has heard about Jesus and has come the conclusion even without meeting him that Jesus is the Messiah. (Son of David plus how he reacts shows this fact)

vs 38 -39 Cry of mercy- not unlike the widow in 18:3. He realizes the opportunity and will not be denied. Cry for mercy not healing!

Even when rebuked by the crowd (their words would be "why would Jesus want to listen to you"- shows they do not get who Jesus is. Remember 4:18, 14:12-14)

This beggar does not give into peer pressure (8:13 he is not) He knows the opportunity and will follow through. He will not be denied! (oh to be that aggressive in our faith)

vs 40-43 The discourse is about physical healing but also about spiritual healing. Because of the man's faith he responds to Jesus and Jesus responds to Him. Compare him to the rich man in the beginning of Chap 18. He has nothing but the hope of Jesus. It is on that hope he stands! It is not just about physical sight but also spiritual for he becomes a follower. (perhaps this is why Luke and Mark only mention this man while Matthew mentions another blind man who is healed at the same time. Matt 20:29-, Mark 10:46- ) Mark even gives his name showing that Bartimaeus wasn't just healed and then left. Rather he was healed and followed. Isn't that what we are suppose to do? Notice that Bartimaeus, the blind man, also calls Jesus Lord. This is a clear indication that along with calling Jesus "Son of Man" that he is a believer.

When people see the change they marveled and praised God- Do they do that when they see what God has done for me?