Luke 18:35-43

Luke 18:35-43

As Jesus approached Jericho

a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging,

and hearing a crowd going by, he inquired what was happening.

They told him,

“Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.”

He shouted, “Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me!”

The people walking in front rebuked him,

telling him to be silent,

but he kept calling out all the more,

“Son of David, have pity on me!”

Then Jesus stopped and ordered that he be brought to him;

and when he came near, Jesus asked him,

“What do you want me to do for you?”

He replied, “Lord, please let me see.”

Jesus told him, “Have sight; your faith has saved you.”

He immediately received his sight

and followed him, giving glory to God.

When they saw this, all the people gave praise to God.

Opening Prayer: Lord God, as your Son passes by, take pity on me. Open the eyes of my heart so that I may see with the light of faith. Heal the blindness caused by sin, strengthen me to persevere in prayer, and fill me with your Holy Spirit. May I follow Jesus faithfully, glorify your name, and lead others to praise you.

Encountering the Word of God

1. The Lord is Passing By: The Gospel of Luke records two encounters with Jesus in Jericho. The first involves a poor blind man (Luke 18:35-43), and the second involves a wealthy chief tax collector named Zacchaeus (Luke 19:1-10). These two stories are closely connected and mutually illuminate one another. In both, Jesus is described as “passing by.” The blind man is begging beside the road as Jesus approaches, while Zacchaeus climbs a sycamore tree to catch a glimpse of Jesus as he passes through the city. The expression recalls several Old Testament accounts in which the Lord God passes by and manifests his presence to Moses and Elijah (Exodus 33:22; 1 Kings 19:11). In Jericho, the Lord God is once again passing by, but this time in the person of Jesus Christ. He comes to seek and save the lost. Both encounters reveal that Jesus is not indifferent to human suffering and sin. He draws near to those who need his mercy and invites them into a new relationship with God.

2. Your Faith Has Saved You: Both encounters in Jericho reveal the saving power of Jesus. When the blind man cries out for mercy, Jesus responds to his faith and restores his sight. He not only receives physical healing but also begins to see spiritually. His response to this gift is immediate: he follows Jesus and gives glory to God. In tomorrow’s Gospel, Zacchaeus will likewise encounter the saving mercy of Jesus. After welcoming Jesus into his home, he demonstrates his repentance by giving half of his possessions to the poor and promising to repay fourfold anyone he has defrauded. Jesus declares that salvation has come to his house. These two stories illustrate different dimensions of the Christian response to grace. The blind man must continue following Jesus on the way to Jerusalem, while Zacchaeus must demonstrate his conversion through concrete works of charity and restitution. Faith opens us to the gift of salvation, and that gift calls us to a new way of life. Both men show us that an encounter with Jesus should lead to a transformation of our lives.

3. Persevere in Calling Upon the Lord: The blind man’s encounter with Jesus is a beautiful example of persevering faith. When the crowd tells him that Jesus of Nazareth is passing by, he immediately cries out, “Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me!” He may have heard about Jesus’ miracles, including his healing of the blind (Luke 7:21-22). He recognizes that Jesus is more than a prophet or a wonderworker. By addressing him as the Son of David, he acknowledges Jesus as the promised Messiah and King, whose everlasting kingdom was announced by the angel Gabriel (Luke 1:32-33). The crowd, however, rebukes him and tells him to be silent. Undeterred, he cries out all the more. His persistence recalls the parable of the persistent widow, which Jesus has just told his disciples to teach them to pray always without becoming weary (Luke 18:1-8). Jesus hears his prayer, stops, and commands that the man be brought to him. When Jesus asks what he wants, the man responds simply and directly: “Lord, please let me see.” Jesus restores his sight and declares that his faith has saved him. The man immediately follows Jesus, giving glory to God, and the people join him in praising the Lord. The blind man teaches us to persevere in prayer, even when others discourage us, or our circumstances seem hopeless. He also reminds us that genuine faith does not end with receiving God’s blessings. It moves us to follow Jesus, glorify God, and help others recognize his saving presence.

Conversing with Christ: Lord Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me! You know the areas of my life where I am spiritually blind. Open my eyes to recognize your presence, trust in your mercy, and follow you faithfully. When I encounter difficulties or discouragement, strengthen me to persevere in prayer. May my life become an offering of praise and thanksgiving, leading others to glorify God.

Living the Word of God: Like the blind man, do I recognize my need for Jesus’ healing and mercy? What areas of spiritual blindness do I need to bring before him? Do I persevere in prayer when God seems distant, or others discourage me? How can I become more faithful in calling upon the Lord? Does my encounter with Jesus lead me to follow him more closely and give glory to God? How can my words and actions help others recognize his saving presence?