We are so glad that you joined us today at North Main Street Church of God. At North Main, we exist to develop completely committed followers of Christ who...

Know Christ intimately,

Grow in Christ continually, and

Go for Christ daily

Series Title: Final Approach
Sermon Title: The Blind See
Sermon Scripture: Luke 18:35-42
Key Point: “Approaching Jericho, Jesus gave sight to the blind for those who wanted to see.”

Something to think about:

As we continue our series today on Jesus’ final approach to Jerusalem, we find Him and the disciples traveling through the small town of Jericho. As He approached Jericho a great crowd had amassed that lined the streets to see Him. However, there was one man in the crowd that day, a blind beggar by the roadside, who was a nobody by the world’s standards. Upon inquiring what was happening, the blind man was told that Jesus was approaching. Without missing a beat, the blind man began to cry out for Jesus, only to be told to “shut up” by the people who were in front of him. This nobody, however, would not be silent, and as a result, would receive the greatest gift: The gift of sight and salvation. Let’s take a closer look:

Key Point: “Jesus gave sight to those who wanted to see.”

Let’s dig further into the two main characters of this narrative and learn more about what happened that day:

· The blind man’s _____________________.

Luke 18:35-39 (NLT), 35 As Jesus approached Jericho, a blind beggar was sitting beside the road. 36 When he heard the noise of a crowd going past, he asked what was happening. 37 They told him that Jesus the Nazarene was going by. 38 So he began shouting, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”
39 “Be quiet!” the people in front yelled at him.
But he only shouted louder, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”

· Jesus’ _____________________.

Luke 18:40-43 (NLT), 40 When Jesus heard him, he stopped and ordered that the man be brought to him. As the man came near, Jesus asked him, 41 “What do you want me to do for you?”
“Lord,” he said, “I want to see!”
42 And Jesus said, “All right, receive your sight! Your faith has healed you.” 43 Instantly the man could see, and he followed Jesus, praising God. And all who saw it praised God, too.

Something to take home:

Bruce Barton points out that,

There were no healings of the blind recorded in the Old Testament, so the Jews believed that such a miracle would be a sign that the messianic age had begun (Isaiah 29:18; 35:5). Jesus healed other blind people as well, so these people knew something special was happening. A poor and blind beggar could see that Jesus was the Messiah, and the crowds understood that God was to be praised for such miracles. However, the religious leaders who saw his miracles were blinded to his identity and refused to recognize him as the Messiah.”[1]

Who are we in this narrative? Are we the crowds telling the blind man to be quiet? Are we the disciples who had just listened to Jesus predict His death a third time, but this time in great detail, and yet we don’t understand what He’s talking about? Are we the religious leaders who were plotting to kill Jesus because our livelihood and way of life were being jeopardized? Or are we the blind man sitting by the roadside as Jesus approaches, so desperate to get His attention that we will shout all the louder so He will hear us?

Are we willing to look like fools for the chance to have Jesus come our way and hear our plea? Are we willing to trust that He is the only one who can truly help us and that without Him we are lost in our hopeless situations?

Key Point: “Jesus gave sight to those who wanted to see.”


[1] Barton, Bruce B., David Veerman, Linda Chaffee Taylor, and Grant R. Osborne. 1997. Luke. Life Application Bible Commentary. Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.

Read Luke 18:35-43.

What is going on as Jesus approaches Jericho (e.g., are there people following Jesus?what is the scene like?who all is there?

The blind beggar sitting beside the road heard the commotion of the crowd, and asked what was going on.Upon hearing of Jesus’ arrival, the man began to cry out for His attention.What is the response of the people standing in front of the blind beggar?What is the blind man’s response?
Hearing the blind man call for Him, Jesus came near and asked him a question.What did Jesus ask him?Do you think Jesus knew what he wanted before He asked?Why do you think Jesus asked the man a question He already knew the answer to?

How does Jesus heal the blind man?Does Jesus heal everyone the same way (i.e., John 9:1-12; Mark 8:22-25)?Why or why not?

After receiving his sight, what does the man immediately do?What did all of those who witnessed the man’s healing do?

Have you ever been so desperate to get GOD’s attention that you didn’t care how foolish you looked to others?

Are you willing to risk your reputation if it means crying out to Jesus in the middle of a crowd of strangers in order to get His attention?Why or why not?

OFFICE HOURS
Monday - Thursday
9:00am - 4:00pm