Book of Luke - Ch. 18, Vs. 35-43 (05/30/2004)

Now, I don't know exactly where David got to, but start with Luke 1835, and he may have finished a chapter, but that's all right, 1835.

And it came to pass, that is, he was come nigh unto

Jericho, a certain blind man sat by the wayside begging. He had been seated here before, so it was a normal thing for him to do.

Christ is going to show us by a visible miracle that he is the light of the world.

And hearing the multitude pass by, he asked what it meant. As the crowd followed

Jesus, as they passed by, Bartimaeus asked its meaning and learned of the presence of Jesus.

Jesus on this last journey went in advance of the crowd they were following, not before.

And he had already entered Jericho before the sounds of the multitude began to accumulate and aroused the beggar to question its meaning.

Not being able to see, he asked what it meant. And they told him that Jesus of Nazareth passed by.

And he cried, saying, Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me.

Now they that were with Christ rebuked the man that he should hold his peace, but he cried so much the more, thou son of David, have mercy on me.

Why didn't he stop, Russell? Why didn't he listen to those that tried to stop him?

That's right. They weren't blind. He was.

The more snares and hindrances that Satan lays in our way, even by those who profess

Christ's name, so much the more we should seek him. Don't listen to those around you.

40. And Jesus stood and commanded him to be brought unto him. And when he was come near, he asked him, saying, what wilt thou that I shall do unto thee?

And he said, Lord, that I may receive my sight. Why did Jesus ask the man?

And he knew who it was, what it was. Bill, why did he, why did

Jesus ask this unnecessary question? It was necessary what?

But why? Why was it necessary? Clarence?

Yes. All right.

But it was necessary for the man to say so himself. To know it himself.

That informed the other people. But most of all, it was his asking, verbally, out loud.

And Jesus said unto him, Receive thy sight, thy faith hath saved thee.

Thy faith. In Mark 10, 52. 42.

And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way, thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight and followed

Jesus in the way. Go thy way, thy faith hath made thee whole.

We can see in this instance what faith really, really is.

It caused Bartimaeus to cry out, to come to Jesus and to ask for sight.

Thus we see that faith saves by leading to proper action.

Faith saves by leading to proper action. Straightway he received his sight and followed him in the way.

Being a beggar, it would have been natural for him to hunt first for a means of livelihood.

But faith and gratitude prompted him to follow Jesus. He did not get his sight and then immediately pursue his own interests.

43. And immediately he received his sight and followed him, glorifying God and all the people.

And when they saw it, they gave praise unto God. They saw the finger of God in what was done.

And that's the way the Lord intended for it to happen. And they gave him that praise which was due to that name.

The Pharisees either saw it not or would not acknowledge this. They were following him but for a different reason.

The common people are often better judges of the work of God than the doctors themselves.

They are more simple, not puffed up with the pride of learning and are less liable to be wrapped by the prejudice or self -interest.

Happy are those spiritually blind persons to whom Christ has given eyes that they may know him, feet that they may follow him, a tongue that they may praise him, and a heart that they may love him.

A true conversion which in no way contradicts itself but is followed by an edifying life makes known the majesty and power of God in a more imminent manner than in the greatest external miracles.

That finishes for the second time the 18th chapter of Luke. Is there a question?