WEBVTT 00:00:07.040 --> 00:00:12.720 This sermon was recorded at Faith Evangelical Free Church in Grand Forks, North Dakota. 00:00:18.800 --> 00:00:29.120 How many of you are following the images that come back from the James Webb telescope? 00:00:29.760 --> 00:00:33.200 Some of you are, and some of you are thinking, I have no idea what that is. 00:00:33.520 --> 00:00:43.759 James Webb, I think it's the James Webb, it's the Webb telescope anyway, giving us brand new images of never before seen places in space. 00:00:45.920 --> 00:00:56.159 Amazing pictures of galaxies that are beyond our imaginations in how far away they are. 00:00:57.679 --> 00:01:00.960 Beyond our imagination in their beauty and their complexity. 00:01:02.880 --> 00:01:09.439 What do you do with a with a God who put those stars in place? 00:01:12.879 --> 00:01:21.519 What do you do with with a God that designed that and calls each one of those stars by name? 00:01:24.719 --> 00:01:26.319 What do you do with him? 00:01:29.359 --> 00:01:34.400 What do you do with a man who gives sight to the blind? 00:01:37.200 --> 00:01:44.560 What do you do with a man who touches blind eyes and immediately restores their sight? 00:01:45.680 --> 00:01:47.920 You can't just walk away from that. 00:01:49.120 --> 00:01:58.400 You can't remain unchanged after observing formerly blind beggars following Jesus with brand new eyes. 00:01:59.840 --> 00:02:02.959 Open your Bible with me to Matthew chapter 20. 00:02:03.680 --> 00:02:14.240 This morning our text is Matthew 20, verse 29, through the end of the chapter, right before the recounting of the triumphal entry. 00:02:15.120 --> 00:02:25.520 Matthew 20, verse 29, Matthew records for us that as Jesus and the disciples went out of Jericho, a great crowd followed Jesus. 00:02:26.960 --> 00:02:38.080 And behold, there were two blind men sitting by the roadside, and when they heard that Jesus was passing by, they cried out, Lord, have mercy on us, son of David. 00:02:39.520 --> 00:02:44.240 But the crowd rebuked them, telling them to be silent. 00:02:45.120 --> 00:02:50.240 But they cried out all the more, Lord have mercy on us, son of David. 00:02:50.479 --> 00:02:56.560 And stopping, Jesus called them to him and said, What do you want me to do? 00:02:57.919 --> 00:03:03.599 They said to him, Lord, let our eyes be opened. 00:03:05.039 --> 00:03:14.960 And Jesus, in pity, touched their eyes, and immediately they recovered their sight and followed him. 00:03:16.080 --> 00:03:16.719 Amen. 00:03:18.960 --> 00:03:23.360 I've told you about my eyes before. 00:03:24.159 --> 00:03:30.319 I remember having poor vision, at least as far back as 1981. 00:03:31.039 --> 00:03:33.360 Maybe before that, I just can't remember. 00:03:35.039 --> 00:03:42.159 By 2009, my vision was, my wife reminded me, worse than I thought. 00:03:42.879 --> 00:03:48.319 She reminded me that she had recorded that it was 20 over 550. 00:03:49.439 --> 00:03:50.800 I wasn't blind. 00:03:51.039 --> 00:03:54.560 I wasn't blind, but my eyes were not in good shape. 00:03:55.039 --> 00:03:59.680 I had to have a book about six inches away from my face to be able to read it. 00:04:00.000 --> 00:04:04.479 So I was incredibly privileged to have LASIK surgery. 00:04:04.719 --> 00:04:18.319 And the first indication of the seriousness of the procedure was when I received a form to sign that absolved the surgeon of all responsibility about the end result of my vision. 00:04:19.279 --> 00:04:24.800 I couldn't hold the doctor responsible for how my vision turned out. 00:04:24.959 --> 00:04:28.879 But my vision was so bad that I was willing to take the chance. 00:04:30.079 --> 00:04:32.879 I knew what to expect from the surgery. 00:04:32.959 --> 00:04:36.480 I didn't let Allison watch the video, but I watched the video. 00:04:37.600 --> 00:04:48.959 So I knew going into this procedure exactly what to expect, but as is often the case, experiencing the procedure is something else. 00:04:50.480 --> 00:04:52.079 But it was worth it. 00:04:54.160 --> 00:04:55.600 But it was different. 00:04:55.920 --> 00:04:58.480 Part of the procedure involves blindness. 00:04:59.759 --> 00:05:07.600 There's a period in which a flap of your eye is removed and pulled back, and you lose your vision. 00:05:07.839 --> 00:05:09.040 It's gone. 00:05:17.360 --> 00:05:18.720 It's nothing. 00:05:19.759 --> 00:05:20.560 It's nothing. 00:05:20.959 --> 00:05:23.519 It's a blackness that is unnerving. 00:05:24.800 --> 00:05:26.319 But it's worth it. 00:05:27.199 --> 00:05:36.319 Because no sooner had I gotten home and taken a nap than I opened my eyes and I was able to read that small print on the bottom of the television. 00:05:37.120 --> 00:05:38.800 Without glasses. 00:05:40.560 --> 00:05:42.079 It was amazing. 00:05:42.480 --> 00:05:48.319 Took about a month to fully recover, and when I was fully recovered, my vision was better than 2020. 00:05:49.120 --> 00:05:52.560 About five years later, my vision starts degrading again. 00:05:53.680 --> 00:06:07.519 But perhaps you might think insanely, I trusted a doctor I did not know to take a laser and burn off a part of my eye for the chance to see better. 00:06:08.639 --> 00:06:13.680 And I would go back to that doctor and do it all over again if I could. 00:06:17.600 --> 00:06:18.560 Jesus. 00:06:21.360 --> 00:06:28.160 Jesus reached out and with his fingertips touched the eyes of two men. 00:06:29.120 --> 00:06:32.399 And instantly their eyes were restored. 00:06:35.759 --> 00:06:36.879 Just like that. 00:06:38.000 --> 00:06:46.480 A simple touch, and two blind men had their vision filled with Jesus. 00:06:49.120 --> 00:06:50.800 What do you do with that? 00:06:52.639 --> 00:06:54.879 Seriously, what do you do with that? 00:06:56.240 --> 00:06:58.480 There's no liability waiver. 00:06:59.279 --> 00:07:01.360 There's no uncertainty. 00:07:03.600 --> 00:07:05.120 Just a touch. 00:07:07.439 --> 00:07:11.839 They're two hopeless men with no remedy for their blindness. 00:07:12.319 --> 00:07:17.920 Maybe they'd attend, obtained all the medical help that they could for that time, but we're not told that. 00:07:18.160 --> 00:07:28.000 We are only told that they are blind, and as blind men, they would be relegated to begging along the well-traveled and well-trafficked routes of Jericho. 00:07:30.160 --> 00:07:33.920 We also know from our context that the Passover is near. 00:07:34.560 --> 00:07:40.160 And with the Passover comes hordes of travelers on their way to the royal city to celebrate. 00:07:40.319 --> 00:07:43.759 And among them are Jesus and his twelve disciples. 00:07:44.160 --> 00:07:49.120 And as we see so often, they are surrounded by crowds. 00:07:52.160 --> 00:07:57.279 Maybe in answering the question, what do you do with that? 00:07:58.000 --> 00:08:00.879 Maybe you would be among those in the crowd. 00:08:02.079 --> 00:08:06.399 Put yourself in the shoes of someone in the crowd that day. 00:08:06.959 --> 00:08:08.879 What might you be thinking? 00:08:09.279 --> 00:08:12.480 Let's think for a moment about the crowd's perspective. 00:08:12.639 --> 00:08:17.360 We know from the crowd's perspective that Jesus was famous. 00:08:17.600 --> 00:08:19.199 He was like a movie star. 00:08:20.480 --> 00:08:24.480 Matthew uses this term crowds all throughout the gospel. 00:08:24.800 --> 00:08:36.879 In fact, in chapter 4, at the very beginning of Jesus' ministry, in verses 24 and 25, Matthew specifically says that Jesus' fame was spreading through the crowds of people. 00:08:37.519 --> 00:08:39.120 He was famous. 00:08:41.120 --> 00:08:46.080 Chapter 7, verse 28, the crowds are astonished at Jesus' teaching. 00:08:46.639 --> 00:08:51.840 They just can't, they can't grasp about the authority with which he was teaching. 00:08:51.919 --> 00:08:58.399 And when they marveled at him, chapter 9, verse 33 says, they followed him over and over again. 00:08:58.639 --> 00:09:01.519 Jesus couldn't get away from the paparazzi. 00:09:03.759 --> 00:09:10.399 And so in chapter 15, beginning in verse 29, Matthew tells us that the crowds started bringing people to him. 00:09:10.639 --> 00:09:17.679 Not just individual family members, but crowds were bringing the sick and the lame and the hurting to Jesus. 00:09:20.399 --> 00:09:37.279 If you flip over a page from our text into chapter 21, crowds in chapter 21, verse 8 will lay their coats on the ground for Jesus and shout, Hosanna, blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. 00:09:38.639 --> 00:09:43.679 Chapter 21, verse 11, they did all of this because ultimately they believed that he was a prophet. 00:09:46.000 --> 00:09:54.639 As Jesus and his disciples leave the city of Jericho, the crowds gather around him, surround him, because he is famous. 00:09:54.720 --> 00:09:57.360 And who doesn't want to be around famous people? 00:09:57.919 --> 00:10:02.240 I don't know if they collected autographs back then, but I'm sure they would have if they could have. 00:10:03.919 --> 00:10:10.879 In fact, the leaders of Israel are so concerned about Jesus primarily because of his popularity. 00:10:12.000 --> 00:10:19.039 In chapter 14, verse 1, it says, Herod the Tetrarch heard about the fame of Jesus. 00:10:21.519 --> 00:10:27.440 The crowds gathered around Jesus because he was famous. 00:10:27.919 --> 00:10:30.320 Do you treat Jesus like a movie star? 00:10:31.600 --> 00:10:38.399 Is that why you come and you sing songs and you listen to prayers and preaching? 00:10:38.799 --> 00:10:42.720 Is it because Jesus is famous? 00:10:44.399 --> 00:10:47.919 The crowds also believed that Jesus was their king. 00:10:49.039 --> 00:10:56.720 John tells us in his gospel that the crowds of people had already at this time tried to make Jesus the king by force. 00:10:57.759 --> 00:11:04.399 They were so excited about him, and he was so popular, they wanted to take him by force and make him king. 00:11:07.200 --> 00:11:15.039 And Jesus is just a handful of miles from the city of the great king, from the royal city. 00:11:16.320 --> 00:11:29.360 Many among the crowds of people had followed Jesus, had walked with him for miles over the dusty roads, and by the time they arrive in Jerusalem in the next chapter, they are ready to anoint him as king. 00:11:30.480 --> 00:11:36.559 They're prepared for Jesus to lead them out of oppression from Rome and into freedom as God's people. 00:11:36.720 --> 00:11:39.200 There's a brand new exodus going on. 00:11:42.960 --> 00:11:45.759 They're all excited about Jesus. 00:11:46.639 --> 00:11:51.600 But when it comes to two blind men, they weren't so kind. 00:11:53.120 --> 00:11:55.679 The blind men were intrusions. 00:12:03.120 --> 00:12:10.639 They're at the front row of the concert, and somebody comes and sits right in front of them, and they're so tall that they can't see around them. 00:12:10.879 --> 00:12:12.720 They're just an intrusion. 00:12:13.120 --> 00:12:15.360 And they just want to get them out of the way. 00:12:15.519 --> 00:12:16.720 Look at verse 31. 00:12:16.799 --> 00:12:17.440 What do they do? 00:12:17.600 --> 00:12:20.480 They rebuked the two blind men. 00:12:21.759 --> 00:12:22.879 Yeah, be quiet. 00:12:23.039 --> 00:12:24.240 Get out of the way. 00:12:24.879 --> 00:12:27.279 Go back and sit down in your corner. 00:12:27.919 --> 00:12:28.960 Jesus is coming. 00:12:29.120 --> 00:12:31.200 We don't want to bother with you right now. 00:12:31.600 --> 00:12:39.440 The last time this word was used in Matthew is chapter 19, verse 13, where Jesus rebuked the disciples for bringing children to him. 00:12:40.879 --> 00:12:42.720 There's a correction involved. 00:12:43.279 --> 00:12:46.320 There's a correction that involves a redirection. 00:12:46.559 --> 00:12:49.679 Stop doing what you're doing and go in a different direction. 00:12:49.840 --> 00:12:54.480 Stop bothering us and bothering Jesus and go in a different direction. 00:12:56.000 --> 00:13:04.080 See, the crowds were so focused on Jesus, on his popularity, they didn't want the blind men to interrupt. 00:13:05.759 --> 00:13:08.320 Which tells us they lacked compassion. 00:13:10.799 --> 00:13:15.120 The crowds were likely very familiar with this cultural image. 00:13:16.399 --> 00:13:33.279 Just go to our major cities, anywhere in our country or anywhere in the world, and you will see the poor and the destitute sleeping on the sidewalks, in camps, asking for money. 00:13:33.679 --> 00:13:41.039 The same way the blind, the lame, and others like them would place themselves at strategic locations to beg for money and food. 00:13:41.120 --> 00:13:42.559 That was all they could do. 00:13:43.120 --> 00:13:54.159 Not only is this a strategic location, but it's also a significant time of year to give alms, to give gifts, to be charitable to the poor. 00:13:54.480 --> 00:13:57.120 Passover was a major time for that. 00:13:57.840 --> 00:14:10.639 Hundreds, if not thousands, of Jewish people are making their way from Galilee south along the desert roads to Jericho, and once they get to Jericho, they would turn west and head up into the hills to Jerusalem. 00:14:13.919 --> 00:14:25.519 Everyone would know that beggars of all kinds would be here and at similar locations asking for alms, and they knew that God was pleased when people supported the poor. 00:14:28.799 --> 00:14:31.679 Except this time. 00:14:33.279 --> 00:14:36.159 This time there are two blind men. 00:14:37.919 --> 00:14:40.240 They're not asking for money. 00:14:41.039 --> 00:14:43.200 They're not asking for food. 00:14:45.120 --> 00:14:47.120 They want to talk to Jesus. 00:14:48.399 --> 00:14:55.679 The crowds are on the road to triumph, to celebrate God's freeing of his people from the Egyptians. 00:14:55.759 --> 00:15:00.720 And it was also a victorious road because they were going with Jesus, their future king. 00:15:02.799 --> 00:15:04.879 Who cares about two blind men? 00:15:07.279 --> 00:15:09.919 When victory is over the hill. 00:15:11.120 --> 00:15:14.320 They're distracted by the popularity of Jesus. 00:15:17.519 --> 00:15:24.960 What do you do with a man who touches blind eyes and restores their sight? 00:15:27.840 --> 00:15:32.559 Consider if your vision is like that of the crowd. 00:15:33.519 --> 00:15:37.440 Consider if you give priority to politics over people. 00:15:39.120 --> 00:15:56.399 If you give priority to societal expectations over spiritual needs, if you give priority to physical perceptions instead of obeying the word of God, you might be more blind than you think if you are like the crowd. 00:15:59.120 --> 00:16:01.440 Let's think about the blind men. 00:16:02.399 --> 00:16:07.519 What are they thinking, processing, imagining? 00:16:08.559 --> 00:16:13.360 Well, they too understood that Jesus was famous. 00:16:15.200 --> 00:16:16.879 But in a different way. 00:16:17.759 --> 00:16:24.240 The crowds believed that Jesus was famous and they wanted him to exercise his power to bring about another Exodus. 00:16:26.399 --> 00:16:28.799 Not so much with these blind men. 00:16:29.919 --> 00:16:32.480 There's no record that they had ever met Jesus. 00:16:32.720 --> 00:16:36.720 This may even be the only time that Jesus had ever traveled through Jericho. 00:16:37.600 --> 00:16:39.679 But these blind men know of him. 00:16:41.360 --> 00:16:44.879 They cannot see with their eyes the people around them. 00:16:45.039 --> 00:16:50.879 They cannot see the crowd, but surely they can sense, they can feel, they can hear the commotion of the crowds. 00:16:51.200 --> 00:16:57.600 Perhaps they can smell the dry, sandy dust in the air being stirred up by the feet of the travelers. 00:16:57.759 --> 00:17:03.759 And they get all excited when they hear murmuring of Jesus, of Nazareth coming by them. 00:17:04.079 --> 00:17:05.839 And they begin to cry out. 00:17:06.000 --> 00:17:08.400 See, they know who Jesus is. 00:17:10.880 --> 00:17:12.640 They've probably never met him. 00:17:15.039 --> 00:17:17.119 But they've listened to the stories. 00:17:19.599 --> 00:17:25.200 Who in Israel hasn't heard of this mighty healing prophet? 00:17:27.920 --> 00:17:31.359 And we can tell that that is another of their perspectives. 00:17:31.759 --> 00:17:34.160 Jesus was not merely famous to them. 00:17:34.400 --> 00:17:36.319 Jesus was a healer. 00:17:38.480 --> 00:17:44.960 When they finally get Jesus' attention, they are asked by him, What do you want me to do for you? 00:17:45.279 --> 00:17:46.000 Do you want money? 00:17:46.079 --> 00:17:46.720 Do you want food? 00:17:46.799 --> 00:17:48.079 What is it that you want? 00:17:48.799 --> 00:17:54.799 Ironically, the very same question was asked in our previous section by the mother of James and John. 00:17:55.039 --> 00:17:57.200 Jesus asked her, What do you want me to do for you? 00:17:57.279 --> 00:18:01.119 And she said, Give my sons the priority in your kingdom. 00:18:02.240 --> 00:18:05.200 Her request was prideful and arrogant. 00:18:06.640 --> 00:18:09.759 The two blind men could have asked for alms to be given to them. 00:18:09.839 --> 00:18:15.200 They could have asked for financial provisions for the rest of their lives, so they didn't need to come out and beg every day. 00:18:15.359 --> 00:18:17.440 They could have requested some food. 00:18:19.359 --> 00:18:24.799 But instead they asked, Lord, let our eyes be opened. 00:18:26.400 --> 00:18:31.920 There's a humility there, there's a submission that Jesus can decide. 00:18:33.440 --> 00:18:35.759 And the decision that Jesus makes will be right. 00:18:36.000 --> 00:18:40.400 There appears to be a knowledge here of what others have received from Jesus. 00:18:40.720 --> 00:18:47.920 And there's a belief that if Jesus has healed others, maybe including other blind men that they know of, he can also heal them. 00:18:48.720 --> 00:18:51.039 There is a trust in the power of Jesus. 00:18:51.279 --> 00:18:53.279 They went all out to get his attention. 00:18:53.359 --> 00:18:55.119 They didn't care about the crowds. 00:18:56.240 --> 00:19:02.000 So there's a demonstration here of faith in the power and the person of Jesus. 00:19:02.559 --> 00:19:14.880 There's another blind man in John's gospel who said, Who has ever heard of the eyes of a blind man being opened? 00:19:17.920 --> 00:19:20.319 Why would they have that trust? 00:19:20.640 --> 00:19:29.359 Why would these two blind men believe that if they can just get Jesus' attention, they'll be able to see? 00:19:32.160 --> 00:19:37.440 They believed it because they believed that Jesus was their Messiah. 00:19:39.359 --> 00:19:44.000 They call out twice after Jesus, the Son of David. 00:19:44.160 --> 00:19:46.400 This isn't just any miracle worker. 00:19:46.559 --> 00:19:53.200 This isn't just any rabbi, any teacher traveling the roads on the way to Jerusalem for the Passover. 00:19:53.359 --> 00:19:57.599 No, this is the Messiah. 00:20:00.160 --> 00:20:02.720 You don't see the disciples saying this. 00:20:03.680 --> 00:20:06.400 You don't see the crowds saying this. 00:20:07.920 --> 00:20:12.319 You see those who can't see, grasping. 00:20:13.440 --> 00:20:17.039 This is the Messiah, the Son of David. 00:20:18.000 --> 00:20:25.519 God promised to restore David's kingdom and its people, and with that, a hope of power to restore their sight. 00:20:25.759 --> 00:20:36.240 So Matthew's getting us ready for this traveling up the hillsides through the desert to Jerusalem at the pinnacle. 00:20:36.559 --> 00:20:48.400 He's getting us ready to hear of the entry into Jerusalem, down the Mount of Olives, where these same people, most likely including the two formerly blind men, would proclaim Jesus' Messiahship. 00:20:50.559 --> 00:20:59.680 But we need to pause for a moment before we get there and understand something very integral to these two men. 00:21:02.079 --> 00:21:04.480 The crowds didn't care about them. 00:21:06.079 --> 00:21:07.839 They didn't care about the crowds. 00:21:09.200 --> 00:21:16.240 It was worth it to them to ignore the crowd in order to get to Jesus. 00:21:19.759 --> 00:21:24.079 Do we ignore the trials of Sunday morning regularly in order to get to Jesus? 00:21:27.279 --> 00:21:30.240 It's not the same, of course, but it is. 00:21:48.000 --> 00:21:49.440 Can you imagine that? 00:21:50.000 --> 00:21:59.359 The first thing you see after feeling fingertips on your eyes, the first thing you see is the one who gave you sight. 00:22:02.799 --> 00:22:07.680 Verse 34 tells us that their recovery of sight was immediate. 00:22:08.880 --> 00:22:10.079 Just like that. 00:22:11.759 --> 00:22:13.279 Instantaneous. 00:22:14.319 --> 00:22:18.799 And as a result, they followed Jesus. 00:22:19.839 --> 00:22:21.039 They followed him. 00:22:21.920 --> 00:22:28.720 That could be a simple statement telling us that they joined the crowd following Jesus on the way to Jerusalem, but I think there's something more to it than that. 00:22:28.960 --> 00:22:38.559 Because Matthew often uses this word follow to refer to those who become disciples, those who take up their cross and follow Jesus. 00:22:38.960 --> 00:22:45.599 So here are two physically blind men who were able to see the light of Christ. 00:22:45.680 --> 00:22:55.039 It's a picture of John chapter 1, verse 5, where Jesus, where John says of Jesus, the light has shined in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. 00:22:56.160 --> 00:23:01.839 John was speaking spiritually, but here in Matthew 20 are two men who live in physical darkness. 00:23:03.599 --> 00:23:07.279 It's not just that somebody turned out the light, it's that it's ultimately black. 00:23:07.440 --> 00:23:08.480 There's nothing. 00:23:10.160 --> 00:23:12.000 They live in darkness. 00:23:12.799 --> 00:23:21.599 There's no light in their eyes, but the light of Christ shone through their darkness, and the darkness could not overcome the light of the Creator. 00:23:23.519 --> 00:23:31.680 In contrast, the crowds, though able to see physically, were spiritually blind. 00:23:32.480 --> 00:23:34.480 They illustrate John 1.10. 00:23:34.720 --> 00:23:38.400 Jesus was in the world, and the world did not know him. 00:23:39.359 --> 00:23:42.160 He was in the world and he made the world. 00:23:42.319 --> 00:23:50.480 His fingertips were involved in creating everything that is, but they didn't know him. 00:23:52.240 --> 00:24:03.519 Augustine, one of the church fathers, wrote, Great are you, Lord, and greatly to be praised. 00:24:04.559 --> 00:24:09.759 For great is your power, and your and to your wisdom there is no end. 00:24:10.160 --> 00:24:14.559 And man, being a part of your creation, desires to praise you. 00:24:15.440 --> 00:24:24.640 You move us to delight in praising you, for you have formed us for yourself, and our hearts are restless till they find their rest in you. 00:24:24.880 --> 00:24:34.000 Here were two blind men who could not see, but they knew they needed the touch of their creator, because in his touch they would find rest. 00:24:36.720 --> 00:24:40.720 I believe that I will meet these two blind men in glory someday. 00:24:42.000 --> 00:24:49.599 And I would really like to know what it was like to see Jesus as the first ray of light entered those newly created eyes. 00:24:51.759 --> 00:24:56.480 I delighted to be able to read the small print on the bottom of the television. 00:25:00.319 --> 00:25:07.920 What was it like to feel the touch of his fingertips and see him? 00:25:12.319 --> 00:25:26.319 If you are among the crowds who follow Jesus because it's popular or because you think it's the right thing to do, I'm sure these two men would tell you you still need to cry out to Jesus for sight. 00:25:28.319 --> 00:25:32.319 Cry out to him to remove your blindness so that you might see him. 00:25:33.440 --> 00:25:37.359 If you want true sight, Jesus can give it to you. 00:25:38.240 --> 00:25:41.680 Let's think then for a minute about Jesus' perspective. 00:25:42.240 --> 00:25:46.079 From his viewpoint, it was time to be focused on the cross. 00:25:47.119 --> 00:25:59.279 We've been seeing this building from chapter 16 on, where Jesus told the disciples he was headed to Jerusalem, and at the end of that road there was going to be suffering and death. 00:26:02.160 --> 00:26:06.880 We've noted several times about how Jesus redirects the disciples' thinking to the cross. 00:26:06.960 --> 00:26:11.920 And here in chapter 20, verses 17, 18, and 19, we see the third time Jesus does that. 00:26:12.160 --> 00:26:17.200 He takes the disciples aside on the road to Jerusalem and he warns them of what's to come. 00:26:20.480 --> 00:26:31.759 Jesus is a mere fifteen miles from Jerusalem when the blind men cry out to him. 00:26:33.839 --> 00:26:42.079 He is just a few days from the darkness and the agony of the cross. 00:26:44.160 --> 00:26:52.079 In about a week's time, the darkness that the blind men experienced would be the darkness that Christ endured on the cross. 00:26:53.200 --> 00:27:16.720 And the disciples are to be focused on Jerusalem, and what Jesus has warned them will take place there because Jesus himself has a firm determination to walk those 15 miles and to endure a week of trials and to endure beatings and to be hung upon a cross and to die for two blind men. 00:27:19.119 --> 00:27:25.039 But even though that is Jesus' focus, there is always time for compassion. 00:27:26.640 --> 00:27:32.000 James and John, in our previous section, wanted the positions of honor in Jesus' kingdom. 00:27:32.160 --> 00:27:33.519 They wanted the recognition. 00:27:33.599 --> 00:27:36.160 They wanted to be on his right hand and on his left hand. 00:27:36.720 --> 00:27:43.920 And they tried to beat the other disciples to the punch by asking Jesus if they could have those places of honor when he became king. 00:27:44.240 --> 00:27:48.480 But Jesus told them that greatness comes by serving. 00:27:50.240 --> 00:27:54.880 Whoever would be first among his disciples must be the servant of everyone. 00:27:58.319 --> 00:28:04.799 Here is Jesus, the movie star, the famous person. 00:28:06.079 --> 00:28:08.640 People clamoring for his attention. 00:28:09.920 --> 00:28:11.839 Focused on what's coming up. 00:28:12.000 --> 00:28:13.359 But what does he do? 00:28:15.039 --> 00:28:17.200 He makes time for compassion. 00:28:18.880 --> 00:28:27.599 Jesus has compassion for two poor blind men sitting in the dust of the desert, hoping and praying that someone will hear them. 00:28:28.319 --> 00:28:46.240 When Jerusalem and the chief priests and the scribes and the mocking and the floggings and the beatings and the being hung on a tree to bear God's wrath for sin are in the forefront of his thinking, Jesus still has compassion on two poor blind men sitting in the dust, hoping that someone will hear them. 00:28:47.680 --> 00:28:56.400 When the disciples rebuked the people for bringing children to Jesus, Jesus rebuked them, telling them, let the little children come. 00:28:57.440 --> 00:29:00.480 Now the crowd is rebuking the blind men. 00:29:02.160 --> 00:29:04.240 Jesus doesn't get after the crowd, however. 00:29:04.400 --> 00:29:12.240 Perhaps he understands that they don't know any better, but for the disciples, this is instruction on compassion. 00:29:14.400 --> 00:29:17.519 It's Jesus who stops. 00:29:19.039 --> 00:29:22.480 It's Jesus who calls out to the blind men. 00:29:23.039 --> 00:29:25.759 Jesus has pity, we're told, on these blind men. 00:29:26.079 --> 00:29:29.440 It's a word that means a compassion that's felt in your gut. 00:29:30.799 --> 00:29:37.279 It's not just something you know you need to do, it's something that you feel you need to do, and that drives you to act. 00:29:38.799 --> 00:29:44.480 This could easily be a moment for Jesus to make it all about him. 00:29:45.359 --> 00:29:47.119 I don't have time for this. 00:29:48.240 --> 00:29:49.920 I'm on my way to Jerusalem. 00:29:50.079 --> 00:29:52.480 I'm sorry, guys, that you're blind, but you know what? 00:29:52.559 --> 00:29:53.680 I gotta get going. 00:29:56.000 --> 00:29:58.799 It's his time, it's his moment. 00:29:59.839 --> 00:30:02.480 But there's always time for compassion. 00:30:03.680 --> 00:30:10.720 And in that compassion, we see that physical ministry for Jesus is an opportunity for spiritual ministry. 00:30:13.039 --> 00:30:23.039 Way back in chapter 9, verse 35 and 36, we read that as Jesus was going along, he saw the crowds and he had compassion for them. 00:30:23.279 --> 00:30:24.079 The same word. 00:30:24.240 --> 00:30:26.960 He had this gut pity for them. 00:30:27.119 --> 00:30:27.440 Why? 00:30:27.599 --> 00:30:32.240 Because they were harassed and helpless like sheep without a shepherd. 00:30:34.000 --> 00:30:39.759 I think that Matthew intends us to read something similar here by his use of the same word. 00:30:40.960 --> 00:30:42.880 Here are two blind men. 00:30:45.440 --> 00:30:47.519 They're like sheep without a shepherd. 00:30:48.960 --> 00:30:51.839 They're being harassed by the crowds. 00:30:53.440 --> 00:30:55.359 And Jesus has compassion. 00:30:58.480 --> 00:31:01.440 They have no clue what is ahead for Jesus. 00:31:02.079 --> 00:31:04.400 They ought to be feeling for him. 00:31:05.599 --> 00:31:08.079 And yet he feels for them. 00:31:09.440 --> 00:31:13.440 But is this really about restoring sight to the blind? 00:31:15.920 --> 00:31:17.119 Is it really about that? 00:31:17.200 --> 00:31:19.039 Because I'm not so sure it is. 00:31:20.640 --> 00:31:28.480 Mark chapter 10 is where Mark records this same miracle, and Mark highlights one of the blind men named Bartimaeus. 00:31:28.720 --> 00:31:37.759 And in Mark chapter 10, verse 52, Jesus says to Bartimaeus, one of these two blind men, after he could see now, he says, Go on your way. 00:31:38.319 --> 00:31:40.400 Your faith has made you well. 00:31:41.359 --> 00:31:47.440 And he recovered his sight, and immediately he followed Jesus on his way. 00:31:49.599 --> 00:31:53.599 See, this was not merely to restore the sight of the blind. 00:31:54.400 --> 00:31:59.200 This is to impart the light of Christ to ones who by faith were born of God. 00:31:59.440 --> 00:32:05.440 Mark reveals us that this is a faith-filled healing that results in discipleship. 00:32:06.480 --> 00:32:11.920 In a man seeing Jesus and saying, I want to follow him. 00:32:14.559 --> 00:32:23.440 What are you going to do with a man who touches eyes and restores sight? 00:32:25.680 --> 00:32:30.960 These blind men had spiritual insight to follow Jesus. 00:32:33.279 --> 00:32:36.319 But the seeing crowd was spiritually blind. 00:32:38.079 --> 00:32:48.400 We know that because Matthew regularly highlights crowds as those who follow Jesus out of popularity, out of what they can get out of him, not out of genuine belief. 00:32:48.559 --> 00:32:51.039 And the crowd thought they were in charge. 00:32:51.279 --> 00:32:54.400 They believed that the end thing was following Jesus. 00:32:54.559 --> 00:32:57.359 They were ready to go to Jerusalem and to make him king. 00:32:57.440 --> 00:32:59.759 They were on their way to a celebration. 00:33:01.680 --> 00:33:06.720 But it's the blind men who really see who Jesus is. 00:33:08.079 --> 00:33:14.160 How ironic is it that it was the blind men who could see. 00:33:15.359 --> 00:33:20.960 Having no sight, the blind men see, yet seeing those with sight were blind. 00:33:22.720 --> 00:33:29.359 Sadly, I think we have many religious people today that fill our churches because they believe it's the thing to do. 00:33:29.599 --> 00:33:32.319 It's the right thing, it's what they should do. 00:33:32.880 --> 00:33:36.079 But the reality is they're only part of the crowd. 00:33:36.960 --> 00:33:41.519 They think they see, but they're blind. 00:33:44.480 --> 00:33:56.400 This situation where the dust from hundreds of feet on a desert road is settling down around the Savior teaches us that we must first recognize that we are all blind because of sin. 00:33:57.759 --> 00:34:06.400 We may have physical sight, but that physical sight may trick us into believing that we can see spiritually. 00:34:08.480 --> 00:34:16.320 But if you have not come poor in spirit to Jesus, crying out, Lord, give me sight. 00:34:17.280 --> 00:34:20.159 You may still be blind. 00:34:22.239 --> 00:34:34.960 Jesus has already told the Pharisees that just as a doctor helps the sick, Jesus came not for those who think they're right for God, but for those who realize I'm blind and I need the Savior to give me sight. 00:34:37.519 --> 00:34:42.239 My friends, it takes the faith of a child to come to Jesus. 00:34:43.280 --> 00:34:48.880 It takes the humility of a servant to follow Jesus. 00:34:49.599 --> 00:34:55.119 And it takes the self-realization of the blind to see Jesus for who he really is. 00:34:57.039 --> 00:35:00.719 And that is what Matthew wants us to see. 00:35:02.400 --> 00:35:09.840 We've considered the crowd's perspective and the blind men's perspective and Jesus' perspective, but what about Matthew's perspective? 00:35:10.159 --> 00:35:14.079 He's the one writing this gospel for us. 00:35:14.320 --> 00:35:17.360 He's the one wanting to lead us along. 00:35:18.239 --> 00:35:22.239 And Matthew's perspective is that it's not about the crowds. 00:35:23.760 --> 00:35:25.599 They're just blind anyway. 00:35:26.159 --> 00:35:27.760 They're just there for the popularity. 00:35:27.840 --> 00:35:32.400 They're there to get the food for their bellies that Jesus can provide out of nothing. 00:35:33.679 --> 00:35:36.000 They're there for the autograph. 00:35:37.039 --> 00:35:40.480 They're there because it's the fun thing, it's the end thing to do. 00:35:40.719 --> 00:35:42.719 It's not about the crowds, Matthew says. 00:35:42.880 --> 00:35:43.519 And you know what? 00:35:43.599 --> 00:35:47.760 Really, it's not about the blind men either. 00:35:49.360 --> 00:35:51.199 It's not about the blind men. 00:35:51.280 --> 00:35:52.719 That's a nice story. 00:35:53.039 --> 00:35:55.920 It's a great, great witnessing account. 00:35:56.000 --> 00:36:03.599 It's a great illustration of those who cannot see, receiving sight, true sight, the sight that believes in Jesus. 00:36:04.000 --> 00:36:09.039 But ultimately, it's not about the blind men for Matthew. 00:36:10.400 --> 00:36:19.679 If we go away from this passage seeing this as about the blind men, then we might still be blind to what Matthew's wanting to accomplish. 00:36:19.920 --> 00:36:23.920 Because in Matthew's perspective, it's all about Jesus. 00:36:25.599 --> 00:36:28.000 This is about who Jesus is. 00:36:30.000 --> 00:36:32.639 We got a hint of it in the blind men, didn't we? 00:36:33.599 --> 00:36:36.880 Jesus, son of David. 00:36:40.800 --> 00:36:42.639 He's the savior of God's people. 00:36:43.760 --> 00:36:45.519 He's the anointed one. 00:36:45.840 --> 00:36:47.599 He's the promised one. 00:36:49.119 --> 00:36:51.760 But Matthew goes even further than that. 00:36:52.480 --> 00:36:55.920 Matthew says, this is God in the flesh. 00:36:57.039 --> 00:36:59.440 This is the savior of God's people. 00:36:59.679 --> 00:37:00.639 How do we know that? 00:37:00.800 --> 00:37:06.400 We know that because Jesus is demonstrating the mercy and the compassion of God. 00:37:08.800 --> 00:37:11.920 Echoing Exodus chapter 33. 00:37:14.000 --> 00:37:22.639 God said there to his people, I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and I will show mercy to whom I will show mercy. 00:37:23.440 --> 00:37:25.519 Crowd didn't want to show mercy. 00:37:26.400 --> 00:37:29.280 But Jesus says, I'm going to show mercy. 00:37:29.440 --> 00:37:30.800 But it's more than that. 00:37:31.039 --> 00:37:35.519 You see, in the Old Testament, there is no record of a prophet healing the blind. 00:37:36.880 --> 00:37:37.920 It didn't happen. 00:37:38.079 --> 00:37:42.159 There's a reason that the blind man in the Gospel of John said, Who's ever heard of this before? 00:37:42.400 --> 00:37:44.800 No one's ever heard of this before. 00:37:46.800 --> 00:37:50.639 There's no record of Elijah healing the blind. 00:37:50.800 --> 00:37:53.280 There's no record of Elisha healing the blind. 00:37:53.360 --> 00:37:55.199 There's no record of Moses healing the blind. 00:37:55.280 --> 00:37:58.400 There's no record of anybody healing the blind. 00:37:58.559 --> 00:38:02.239 But these men believe, Lord, you can heal our eyes. 00:38:02.400 --> 00:38:02.880 Why? 00:38:03.199 --> 00:38:08.480 Why is this the most common miracle in the gospel record? 00:38:09.760 --> 00:38:11.360 Oh, you didn't know that? 00:38:13.119 --> 00:38:18.079 Healing the blind is the most common miracle in the Gospels. 00:38:18.400 --> 00:38:19.599 Why is that? 00:38:20.559 --> 00:38:21.840 Why is that? 00:38:22.320 --> 00:38:24.559 Well, the Old Testament gives us an example. 00:38:24.719 --> 00:38:32.559 The Old Testament does not record an instance of the blind receiving sight, but it speaks an awful lot about healing the eyes of the blind. 00:38:32.719 --> 00:38:43.360 For example, in Exodus chapter 4, verse 11, Yahweh says to Moses, Hey, hey, Moses, you're complaining about me and my mission for you, but who's made man's mouth? 00:38:45.920 --> 00:38:46.880 You did. 00:38:48.000 --> 00:38:50.719 Who makes man mute, unable to speak? 00:38:51.920 --> 00:38:52.559 You do. 00:38:53.519 --> 00:38:55.039 Who makes him deaf? 00:38:56.000 --> 00:38:56.639 You do. 00:38:57.679 --> 00:38:59.039 Who makes him seeing? 00:39:00.320 --> 00:39:00.880 You do. 00:39:02.480 --> 00:39:03.760 Who makes people blind? 00:39:05.840 --> 00:39:06.400 You do. 00:39:09.119 --> 00:39:10.639 Is it not I? 00:39:12.320 --> 00:39:13.119 Yahweh? 00:39:13.920 --> 00:39:15.599 In the great Exodus. 00:39:16.800 --> 00:39:22.239 God begins with Moses saying, Moses, I'm the one who does these things. 00:39:22.880 --> 00:39:23.920 It's not you. 00:39:24.239 --> 00:39:25.360 It's not anybody else. 00:39:25.519 --> 00:39:26.400