Seeds for 12/06/2023 - Matthew 20:29-34
Scripture: As Jesus and His disciples were leaving Jericho, a large crowd followed Him. Two blind men were sitting by the roadside, and when they heard that Jesus was going by, they shouted, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!”
The crowd rebuked them and told them to be quiet, but they shouted all the louder, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!”
Jesus stopped and called them. “What do you want me to do for you?” He asked.
“Lord,” they answered, “we want our sight.”
Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and followed him.
Observation: There’s an unexpectedly common feature in both this healing story about the two blind men and the story just before it of the Zebedee brothers and their mother petitioning Jesus for the places of honor in His kingdom. It may not encapsulate the whole of their meanings, but it is an interesting point of repetition nonetheless.
When something is repeated, it is worth noting. When we see it in back-to-back episodes, it is definitely worth noting. In each passage, Jesus is approached with a request that is kind of general. The Zebedee brothers’ mother asks for a favor. The blind men ask for mercy. In each case, Jesus asks a version of, “What do you want for me to do for you?” In each case, Jesus’ question cuts to the heart of the matter and they articulate clearly and directly what they really want.
It is easy to acquire a habit of asking God to “bless” so-and-so. And that’s not a bad prayer, any more than “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us,” is a bad prayer. No, they’re fine prayers. So, let’s not think in terms of good/bad, but in terms of what we observe in this passage and the one immediately prior—generic/specific. They are not specific prayers because they lack sharp clarity about what they want Jesus to do.
Jesus handles each request differently. For the sons of Zebedee, He denies their specific request, explains why, then uses the occasion as a teachable moment for the Twelve on the nature of greatness in the kingdom. For the blind men, He has compassion on them and restores their sight.
Being specific was not a magical way of getting Jesus to do what they wanted. But it was a way of getting clear on what they wanted, which meant they were more honest with Jesus and with themselves.
Jesus will answer according to His kingdom’s virtues, His wisdom, and His merciful compassion. We do well to get clear and honest with ourselves and with Him. We can trust Him with the result of that.
Application:
What is it that you want Jesus to do for you today?
What else might the Holy Spirit be speaking with you about in the text today?
Prayer: Lord, grant me a clear mind and an honest and trusting heart when I come to you in prayer. Amen.
“But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.” (Matthew 13:23)
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