60: The Cry for Mercy (Luke 18:31-43)

About 20 years ago Tonya & I were a young married couple serving teenagers at a small church. One of the teenagers who lived 3 houses down knocked our door late at night and asked if he could stay the night with us. When I pressed about what was going on, he told me his Mom’s live-in-boyfriend was drunk and the teenager was obviously scared. We showed him MERCY - a Bible term that refers to showing kindness or concern for someone in serious need. There was no way we could refuse his cry for mercy.

When’s the last time YOU cried for mercy? When’s the last time humbled yourself and asked for help? Today’s study will reveal who Jesus is and how He responds to ‘The Cry for Mercy’.

PRAY

Luke 18:31–33 (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 delivered 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.”

The Son of Man was a term used of Ezekiel - a prophet, but it was also a term used in Daniel 7:14 as the One who:

…was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.

Yet this Son of Man must first come as the Suffering Servant before returning as the Conquering King. Jesus highlights by mentioning what is written in the Scriptures, what we would call the Old Testament, say concerning that.

Through Moses, God said that none of the Messiah’s bones would be broken (Ex. 12:46).

Through the psalmists, God said the Messiah would be pierced (22:16), that people would gamble for His garments (22:18), because of His thirst He would be given vinegar to drink (69:21), that He would cry out in pain (22:1), He would rise from the dead (16:10), and that He would ascend into heaven (110:1).

Through Isaiah (chapter 53) God said the Messiah would be beaten, scourged, killed to carry the sins of others, put in a rich man’s tomb, & raise from the dead.

Through Zechariah God said the Messiah would enter Jerusalem on a colt (Zech. 9:9), be betrayed for 30 pieces of silver (11:12), deserted by His friends (13:7), and His be pierced (12:10).

These prophecies, dating hundreds of years before the crucifixion of Jesus, are what jump-started my desire to study the Scripture. I was blown away when I read these passages for myself as a 16 year old. We have the great privilege of hindsight - LOOKING BACK and seeing how it all played out. Have you read these for yourself? You should! (Discussion quest)

But, as we’ve seen before, the disciples had a skewed view of who the Messiah was. They thought of Him as a Conquering King, but never as a Suffering Servant. That’s likely why Luke notes that…

Luke 18:34 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.

John MacArthur writes: “The disciples knew they were going to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover with Jesus, but they did not know that Jesus was Himself God’s ultimate and only true Passover Lamb.

They were still thinking lion, but He was thinking Lamb.

They were thinking kingdom, but He was thinking sacrifice.

They were thinking glory, but He was thinking suffering and death.”

So, they continue to push toward Jerusalem.

Luke 18:35–37 (NIV)

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.”

Kent Hughes writes a brilliant novel-like commentary on what this might have looked like, and i would like to read it to you.

The day had begun like any other day for the blind man. Waking up, he shook the straw from his shabby, torn garments, stretched, got to his feet, and began tapping his way along the familiar turns leading to the main gate of Jericho. Perhaps he was able to beg a crust of bread or two at some familiar stops along the way. Arriving at the gate he took his regular place with the other beggars, where he drew his greasy cloak tightly around him because, though it was spring, the sun had not yet dispelled the morning chill. As he sat there, just like so many days before, he listened to the city come to life—first a donkey loaded with melons for market, after that several women chatting as they bore pitchers toward the well, then the clomp of camels’ hooves. Soon Jericho abounded with the sounds of life, and the blind man was intoning his beggar’s cry.

Suddenly the blind man tensed and lifted his head, for his blind-sensitive ears heard the hubbub of a great crowd approaching. First came young boys running ahead with shrill cries, then more people hurrying past the gate talking excitedly. The blind man, brushed by a robe, reached out and asked what was happening.

The passersby, pulling away, called back, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by” (v. 37)... The word was out about him and his healing exploits. The blind man had likely heard first-person accounts from those who had heard Jesus or who had seen or even experienced his power. Messianic speculation was high among the Jews in the first century. Perhaps the blind man had heard that Jesus called himself “the Son of Man,” that he had the right blood line, that he was from the tribe of Judah.

With amazing blind sight, the beggar came to the conclusion that Jesus must be the Messiah. His heart began to pound, and he was trembling, though the warm sun was now standing high. The crowd was passing. The blind man was jostled. Jesus would soon be gone. The man had to do something!

So…

38 He called out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

This is a term for the Messiah, the one who would sit on David’s throne as king. Many of us are familiar with Isaiah 9:6

‘For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.’

But not many of us have considered the significance of verse 7:

Isaiah 9:7 (NIV)

Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever…

Also, remember how Dr. Luke had early on informed his readers about the angel’s message to Mary before the birth of Jesus:

Luke 1:32–33 (NIV)

32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”

Further, this Messiah was to bring powerful miracles to His people. Remember months ago as we studied how Jesus began His ministry by reading these words from Isaiah in the synagogue in Nazareth?

Luke 4:18–19 (NIV)

18 “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, 19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

Then Jesus said, “Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” (Luke 4:21)

So this man who had heard of Jesus and His miracles, called to Jesus as if He were the ONE who would reign on David's throne!

38 …“Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

But…

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!”

We don't know WHY they told this man to quiet down. Maybe this blind beggar was embarrassing them. Or maybe they were concerned that calling Jesus 'Son of David' might be just enough reason for Roman ears to respond by putting down anyone who claimed to be king other than a person so honored by Caesar.

As we saw last week, just as the disciples tried to stop children from coming to Jesus - these people try to stop this man - whom Mark 10:46 calls Bartimaeus - from seeing Jesus. They thought he was unworthy to ask Jesus for anything.

But this blind man refused to be silenced.

He shouted louder, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”

And rather than continue His most important journey to Jerusalem…

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.

What a moment this must have been as the man who hadn't seen figures or colors, experiences an explosion of life in HD! And likely, the first face he sees is to whom he begged, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” And when Jesus continues toward Jerusalem, this blind man follows Jesus & his mouth overflowing with the praises of God.

Why did Jesus respond to this man’s cry for mercy? because of his faith, because he TRUSTED that Jesus was the Son of David - the Messiah - the ONE who could heal him.

Did you know that some scholars think the reason Mark’s Gospel names the blind man (10:46) is because he became a dedicated disciple in the Jerusalem church, likely following Jesus from Jericho to Jerusalem, witnessing the Triumphal Entry on Palm Sunday, watching the horror of the Crucifixion, and even experiencing the joy of seeing the Resurrected Jesus! This blind man SAW what we only wish we could!

This is a great example of the powerful reality that…

BIG TRUTH: Trusting Jesus Transforms LivesBIG TRUTH: Trusting Jesus Transforms LivesBIG TRUTH: Trusting Jesus Transforms LivesBIG TRUTH: Trusting Jesus Transforms Lives

BIG TRUTH: Trusting Jesus Transforms Lives

BIG TRUTH: Trusting Jesus Transforms Lives

Listen to this list. Jesus transformed:

Fishermen, tax collectors, religious leaders, farmers, prostitutes, demon-possessed, the crippled, blind, deaf, & the mute, rich & poor, old & young.

He's STILL transforming the lives of those who trust Him! In this room, He is transforming the lives white-collar & blue collar, children, teenagers, young adults, & senior adults.

BIG TRUTH: Trusting Jesus Transforms LivesBIG TRUTH: Trusting Jesus Transforms LivesBIG TRUTH: Trusting Jesus Transforms LivesBIG TRUTH: Trusting Jesus Transforms Lives

BIG TRUTH: Trusting Jesus Transforms Lives

BIG TRUTH: Trusting Jesus Transforms Lives

And here’s how that happens:

See your need. You have been blind to the truth about sin & the purpose of life. Your purpose matters more than your pleasure. And your sin is a stain you can’t rub out. You can’t be good enough to earn God’s forgiveness…that’s why you have to…

See WHO Jesus is. He is the Son of Man and Son of David - the Conquering King - who laid aside his crown to come as a Suffering Servant.

Cry for Mercy. He will respond to your faith. Ask Him to open your eyes, clean your heart, & follow Him.

And just in case you think Jesus doesn’t care about you, because you are broken or have nothing to offer…you need to SEE this video of a transformed life.

David Ring Video ‘I have cerebral palsy. What’s YOUR problem?”

BIG TRUTH: Trusting Jesus Transforms LivesBIG TRUTH: Trusting Jesus Transforms LivesBIG TRUTH: Trusting Jesus Transforms LivesBIG TRUTH: Trusting Jesus Transforms Lives

BIG TRUTH: Trusting Jesus Transforms Lives

BIG TRUTH: Trusting Jesus Transforms Lives

Would you give Jesus your life today? If you already have, would you ask Jesus to use YOUR LIFE to offer hope to those who cry for mercy?

PRAY

Folks move outside to be welcomed just outside the door:

Baptized in the last few weeks: Molly Buchanan, Ben Williams, Anna Kate Sircy, Breanna Carroll

or Joined Jason & Leslie Fletcher, Kelly Kugler, Shelly Rice, Jessica & Jennifer Van Houten

Strength Team here on Wed. Feb 18. 5:30-6:15pm Dinner (bring side or dessert); Event from 6:30-8pm * Donations to bless this ministry.