The Blind Man Who Could See
Notes
Transcript
Intro
House in Old Fort, Bethany wanted to remodel the shower. I’m from the south, so I looked up everything I needed to do the thing. I was gonna go purchase equipment that professionals use to do one thing. I remember getting nervous because Bethany wanted the tile straight and without error. Not sure I could do that. Ended up calling someone who could do it right, and it was perfect.
Need: There was a need that I couldn’t meet. Problem I couldn’t solve. We are simply continuing talking about our dependence on God himself. We struggle to let things go or say we can’t do things. But dependence is a necessary aspect to believing and trusting in Jesus.
Main Idea: True dependence leads to restoration
We just looked at the rich ruler who wasn’t dependent on Jesus. He was dependent on his possessions. Now, Luke brings us close to Jericho with someone who is truly dependent. We will see why dependence on God is necessary.
Luke 18:35-43
Truth #1: Dependence leads to pleading for mercy (35-39)
Ill. We have someone who is blind who faithfully comes to Lakewood. Ms. Kim is a true joy to us. There are many things Ms. Kim can do thanks for resources, housing, and other factors. She is dependent on us to bring her here. Dependent on the food staff at the center.
Exp. The blind man in this story doesn’t have what Ms. Kim has. In a society that believed blindness was the result of their own sin or their parents’ sin, people didn’t have compassion. We find him on the roadside begging. Verse 36-37. Obviously his fame had reached the ears of this man. Verse 38. Son of David = royal title.
16 And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me. Your throne shall be established forever.’ ”
Exp. Son of David = king on the throne. Have mercy on me = if his blindness was judgment, this was the correct request. Knowing who Jesus is, mercy is the right request. Verse 39. Why would they do this? Blind and lame were excluded from temple worship because of their sin. Notice his response to the rebuking. He cried out all the more! Like the persistent widow, and like Zacchaeus in the next story, nothing would deter him from asking for mercy.
Arg. Why wouldn’t they let him come close? What they saw as Law misunderstood the meaning behind the Law.
Christ - Christ was coming not to condemn people for sin, but to set them free from their sin. We don’t get to determine who comes to Christ. He will have mercy on who he will have mercy on. We rightfully deserve to face every consequence for our sin. And yet, Christ would be merciful to us.
App. What do we do?
Recognize who Jesus is. He is the fulfillment of the prophecy. He is coming to bring freedom and forgiveness.
Ask for his mercy. He is the mercy giver. He rightfully may allow you to face consequences, but not eternal consequences.
Transition: If dependence leads to pleading for mercy, then that leads to Jesus.
Truth #2: Pleading for mercy leads to Jesus (40-42)
Exp. Notice Jesus response when he realizes what happened. Verse 40. Stopped and commanded he be brought. Things just got serious. Typically a blind man was commanded to stay out, now he’s commanded to be brought close. Then, instead of rebuking, he asked a question. Verse 41. His pleading has brought him to Jesus. What shall I do? Recover my sight = implying he was born able to see. This is Jesus’ final miracle before he enters Jerusalem. Reminds us of Luke 4.
18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed,
Exp. Notice what he says: verse 42. Faith has saved you.
Christ - Faith has been the correct response from us to receive salvation. Jesus’ sacrifice is meant for us. Without faith, there is no salvation for us. We should bring people to Jesus because he is the only one who can heal them.
App. What do we do?
Faithfully come to Jesus. Dependence helps us understand mercy and that brings us to Jesus. Everyday.
Bring people to Jesus through prayer. Who is that person?
Bring people to Jesus through proximity. We should leverage proximity to lead others to Jesus.
Ill. Someone who is broken needs to be in front of the right person. If you come to me with a broken leg, there’s nothing I can do for you. But I can take to you a doctor. True brokenness leads us to Jesus. We should bring others to him.
Transition: Coming to Jesus leads us to restoration and worship.
Truth #3: Coming to Jesus leads to restoration and worship (43)
Exp. Look at the outcome here. Verse 43. Not only was he healed, but he followed Jesus. Remember, the proposition to the rich ruler. Sell all you have and follow me, but he didn’t. Jesus didn’t even ask this man, he just did. There is nothing holding this man back from following Jesus. Not only did he follow, but he was glorifying God. How could you not? Proper response!
Ill. Watched reaction video to world cup final. Argentina fans and Spain fans side by side. When the goal happened, Spain’s fans went nuts, but Argentina’s fans were sad. Proper response. Reverse would have been wrong. Glorifying God after the Messiah restores you is the proper response.
Arg. Like the other 9 lepers who Jesus healed who didn’t return to him. Jesus was called them out. Why? Wrong response. Not only did he glorify God, but finish verse 43. ALL THE PEOPLE. Remember they tried to keep him away. Now, their eyes have been opened to Jesus’ purpose in coming and they glorify God!
Christ - His eyesight is restored, but Jesus heals his soul. The man is willing to follow Jesus after being healed. He can see with his eyes, but even more so, his soul is no longer blind. He can worship God with no obstacles and the gospel will be advanced because of this.
Ill. I don’t share this story often, but my birth story is full of controversy. My mom and dad had me at 18. There was difficulty with the pregnancy. Unlikely I survived, and if I did, there was an extremely high chance that I would have Down’s. Because of my mom’s age, the doctor encouraged my mom to have an abortion. She wouldn’t do it. Who knew what God would do? Now I get to proclaim his goodness week in and week out. This is worthy to glorify God.
App. What do we do?
Glorify God for what he’s done. Where has he brought you from? Where is he taking you?
Conclusion
Full dependence on God leads us to mercy, which leads us to Jesus, which leads us to worship.
