Jesus Passed by — E.A. Johnston

Jesus Passes by the Blind Beggars

In Matthew's Gospel, in chapter 20, and in verses 29 through 34, we have the story of the two blind beggars sitting by the wayside, and they hear a commotion as a great company appears. It is Jesus, along with his disciples, coming with a great multitude behind him.

And in this story we see our Lord Jesus in his compassion for men, and by displaying his power over creation, in restoring the eyesight to these men, to the wonderment of the crowd assembled there that day.

Reading Matthew 20:29-34

I want to read us a striking passage of scripture now, friends, at this time. Here now is the word of God, and may the Spirit of the Lord be pleased to attend the reading of his holy word. And as they departed from Jericho, a great multitude followed him.

And behold, two blind men sitting by the wayside, when they heard that Jesus passed by, cried out, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou Son of David. And the multitude rebuked them, because they should hold their peace.

The Blind Beggars’ Persistent Cry for Mercy

Let me pause here, friends, to say that when God is up to something, when he's getting ready to do something truly remarkable, man in his corrupt nature will try to hinder him. But they cried some more, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou Son of David.

Let me pause here again, friends, to say, Isn't the cry of the two blind men a wonderful illustration of importunity in prayer? And isn't it a remarkable picture of lost man as a poor blind beggar in the world?

I hear these men acknowledge Christ as the Messiah, the Son of David. And though they are blind, they see their need. They seek the Savior and cry out to him for mercy. Oh, well, what happens next? And Jesus stood still.

Jesus Stands Still to Hear the Needy

I hope you don't mind if I pause here to add, when the King of creation stands still, we better take note, humble our hearts, and look in anticipation of what he's about to do. So Jesus stopped dead in his tracks, and Jesus stood still, and called them, and said, What will ye that I shall do unto you?

They say unto him, Lord, that our eyes may be opened. So Jesus had compassion on them, and touched their eyes, and immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed him. I will stop there. There are three wonderful things here in our text today, friends, and I want to bring them before you.

Jesus Passed By, Stood Still, and Had Compassion

They are so wonderful, I believe you will never forget them, because Jesus is wonderful. Let me give you these three things that stand out here in our passage today. We see that Jesus passed by, Jesus stood still, Jesus had compassion.

Christ’s Compassion for the Sinner

Is this not what occurs when Christ saves a needy soul from sin? I'm reminded of the old hymn. Pass me not, O gentle Savior, hear my humble cry, while on others thou art calling, do not pass me by. These two blind men are a delightful picture of how a sinner comes to Christ for pardon of sin.

First, one has to see their sin-sick condition, recognize their need of a remedy for sin in the person of Jesus Christ. Then, in humility and with a contrite heart of repentance, the sinner seeks God in mercy as a blind beggar would come empty-handed to a king.

King Jesus, the Savior from sin, stops dead in his tracks to hear their desperate plea for healing. Jesus had compassion on these two needy men, and he healed them, much to the surprise of the great multitude, and much to the added astonishment to his disciples, as they witnessed their master perform yet another miracle.

Following the Savior After Receiving Sight

Well, what do these two men do now that their sight is restored? Our text tells us, and they followed him. Oh, friends, what a delight it is to follow such a Savior. Jesus passed by. Jesus stood still.

Jesus had compassion. Let us pray.