Matthew 20:29-34
Let’s remember to pray for Jim and Marty.
“Notice what you notice.” The crowd sternly told them to be quiet, but they cried out all the more… (v. 31) Why were the onlookers so harsh to the two blind men, sternly telling them to be quiet? Was this behavior typical? Was this part of the Jewish moral code, as in …who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind? (John 9:2) An immediate stereotype of someone born blind…? Seems harsh! But a good contrast to Jesus’ compassion!
It’s hard to read this selection without noticing Jesus’ question to the men, What do you want Me to do for you? (v. 31b) It’s a simple question with an obvious answer – we want to see. But in sermons or in conversation, others have offered a salient point – Jesus wants us to ask. He can do anything of His own accord, but He wants us to be connected to Him through our perceived needs. Clearly Jesus knew that the men needed more than physical healing. And when they had received their physical healing, they continued forward with Jesus toward their spiritual needs. Possibly those who have been blind are better at seeing than the rest of us…?
Slava Bohu!
I noticed, like Fred, that Jesus wants us to ask. But if we are off – not seeing what we really need – he seems to ask a question back, redirecting our attention. My translation is that the blind asked to have their eyes opened, I took that as both physically and spiritually.
So Jesus might be saying to us, “Really? That’s what you really want? Seriously? Let me help you out a bit with that request.”
???
Got a good laugh from that one, y’all!!!