Seeing Clearly: The Journey of Faith

Some Spiritual Insight

Summary: In our passage set before us this morning Jesus is going to reveal to his disciples the grim reality of His mission. He is the suffering servant of the Isaiah prophesy. He is on the way to Jerusalem to be handed over to suffer and die, yet on the way he is going to show compassion and heal a blind beggar on the way.

This is a great reminder that we all need Jesus in every aspect of our lives. This teaching helps us to understand that true understanding comes from spiritual insight rather than just physical sight thereby elevating faith in Him above all things.

Purpose Beyond Perception

Luke 18:31–32 NASB95

31 Then He took the twelve aside and said to them, “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and all things which are written through the prophets about the Son of Man will be accomplished. 32 “For He will be handed over to the Gentiles, and will be mocked and mistreated and spit uponActs 2:41,

Luke 18:33–34 NASB95

33 and after they have scourged Him, they will kill Him; and the third day He will rise again.” 34 But the disciples understood none of these things, and the meaning of this statement was hidden from them, and they did not comprehend the things that were said.

Is there anything that stands out to you in this passage?

Who is Jesus speaking to in this passage (v.31)?

The twelve, the apostles

Who is He speaking about (vv.31-32)?

The Son of Man, Himself, the one the prophets wrote about, the prophecies were about to be accomplished

What was going to happen to him according to (v.33)? and did they understand (v.34)?

He would be scourged, killed, and rise on the third day.

They did not understand, the meaning was hidden from them, they did not comprehend the things that were said to them.

Notice the meaning was hidden from them, they were not to know God’s meaning yet, sometimes Gods’ plan is too grand for us to grasp yet. They were just to have faith in Him, His sovereign plan even when things seem unclear to them.

Do we have to accept Gods sovereign plan at times when we do not understand at times too? Can you think of a bible verse about that?

Hebrews 11:1 NASB95

1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

Jesus first foretells the twelve the fulfilling of the prophesy of what the prophets said about the Son of Man would be accomplished

He then gives details, handed over to the Gentiles, mocked, mistreated, spit upon, scourged, killed, and rise again on the third day.

Yet the disciples did not understand, the meaning was hidden from them

What are we to do with what God gives us even if we do not fully understand it?

Can God ask us to trust Him and reveal the meaning, give us understanding later when we have placed our trust in Him without understanding first?

Jesus compassion on blind beggar

In this portion of our passage you see persistence in proclamation, the blind beggar does not give up or give in. He is persistent. This depicts the need for faith that surpasses physical hindrances or societal pressures. It reminds us to to call out to Jesus in our struggles, trusting in His power to hear and help and heal. This man’s faith played a critical part.

Luke 18:35–36 NASB95

35 As Jesus was approaching Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the road begging. 36 Now hearing a crowd going by, he began to inquire what this was.

Luke 18:37–38 NASB95

37 They told him that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by. 38 And he called out, saying, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

Luke 18:39–40 NASB95

39 Those who led the way were sternly telling him to be quiet; but he kept crying out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” 40 And Jesus stopped and commanded that he be brought to Him; and when he came near, He questioned him,

Luke 18:41–42 NASB95

41 “What do you want Me to do for you?” And he said, “Lord, I want to regain my sight!” 42 And Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight; your faith has made you well.”

Luke 18:43 NASB95

43 Immediately he regained his sight and began following Him, glorifying God; and when all the people saw it, they gave praise to God.

Is there anything that stands out to you in this passage?

Jesus is approaching Jericho what did the blind man do (v.36)?

Inquired what this was? What was going on with the crowd?

Have you ever seen a crowd gathering and wondered what was going on? He was there begging and heard something out of the ordinary and and asked.

He got an answer and then did what (v.38)?

He called out to Jesus, Son of David to have mercy on him.

What more can you learn by what the blind man says here, Son of David, and calling for Jesus to have mercy on him?

What did the crowd tell the blind man to do (v.39)? and what did the blind man do?

They told him to be quiet, but he cried out all the more; Son of David have mercy on me.

What did Jesus do (v.40)?

Commanded the blind man be brought to him and questioned him.

What did Jesus ask the man (v.41)? How did the man respond (v.41)?

What do you want Me to do for you? Lord, I want to regain my sight.

So we can know he had sight at one time, he wanted to be restored again, He is also acknowledging Jesus in position of Lord.

What did Jesus do, say in (v.42)?

Receive your sight

Your faith has made you well

Now, look closely at (v.43) what facts do you see and can you pull out from it?

Immediately the man regained, or his sight was restored

Immediately he began following Jesus

Immediately be began glorifying God

Immediately when all the people saw it they gave praise to God.

Persistent faith

Earlier in chapter 18 we saw persistent faith demonstrated regarding prayer. here we see persistent faith demonstrated regarded crying out. Persistent faith is important and we should not grow weary and give up.

Even in the midst of being rebuked by the crowd the blind man continues to cry out to Jesus. Society may say where is God, where is Jesus in the midst of tragedy, do not waver in your faith, in your prayers, know God is there, keep crying out, keep calling out to Him. Jesus is with us in our suffering, in our struggles, in our pain, in our grief.

For the blind man, it was his faith that brought his healing. Your faith has ade you will is what Jesus said to Him, both spiritually and physically.

Application

Trust in Gods plan even when you don’t fully understand it

Trust the process, trust Him knowing He works out all things for the good (Rom8:28)

Persistent faith is commended by Jesus

Persistent faith refuses to be silenced like the blind man! (Lk18:39)

Recognize Jesus as the Son of David

Recognize Jesus not only as healer, but Savior, Son of David (Lk18:38-39)

Jesus responds personally and compassionately

Jesus stops, speaks, engages personally (Lk18:40-41) and invites us today for personal relationship.

Let healing lead to worship

After physical and spiritual healing all the man could do is worship (Lk18:43) what about you, blessings should lead us to a deeper discipleship and worship of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

(Prayer) (Exit)