Luke 18:31-33. Then he took unto him the twelve, and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of man shall be accomplished. For he shall be delivered unto the Gentiles, and shall be mocked, and spitefully entreated, and spitted on: and they shall scourge him, and put him to death: and the third day he shall rise again.
Our Lord Jesus Christ often talked to his disciples about his death. Before the time for it came, he foresaw it, he thought and spoke much of it, he even dwelt upon the terrible details of it very minutely: «He shall be delivered unto the Gentiles, and shall be mocked, and spitefully entreated, and spitted on: and they shall scourge him, and put him to death.» Ah! dear friends, when our Lord Jesus died for us, he knew what he was doing. There are some men who, without a moment's consideration, could do a brave notion, but they could not sit down and coolly calculate all the consequences of doing it. They find themselves unexpectedly in the face of imminent danger, they see a person needing to be saved from peril and they make a rush for it, and the daring deed is done. But here our Saviour deliberately thinks and talks about his death, yet he never flinches, or looks back, but he prepares his heart for the solemn event, and sets his face like a flint to go through it all that he may save the souls of his people. We also ought to think and talk much of our Lord's death, since he thought and spake so much of it.
Luke 18:34. And they understood none of these things:
They could not make out what he meant, it was plain enough, but they could not believe that it should be so.
Luke 18:34-36. And this saying was hid from them, neither knew they the things which were spoken. And it came to pass, that as he was come nigh unto Jericho, a certain blind man sat by the way side begging: and hearing the multitude pass by, he asked what it meant.
The blind man asked, as the familiar hymn puts it,
«What means this eager, anxious throng,
Which moves with busy haste along?»
Luke 18:37-38. And they told him, that Jesus of Nazareth passeth by. And he cried, saying Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me.
If he could not see, he could hear. So, dear friends, like this blind man, use what senses you have. «Faith cometh by hearing;» so it came to this man, and as soon as he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth who was passing by, he began to pray to him. Oh, that some of you would also pray to him as soon as you hear that he is nigh! Deep down, from your very soul, let this cry go up, «Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me.»
Luke 18:39. And they which went before rebuked him, that he should hold his peace:
I think I hear them saying, «Do not make such a disturbance. The Master is preaching, and we are losing his words through your noise. What is all that clamor about? Can you not have more respect to the Son of David than to cry in that fashion?»
Luke 18:39. But he cried so much the more, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me.
That is a good thing for you also to do, not only to keep on crying to the Lord Jesus, but to grow more importunate when others rebuke you. If you are seeking the Saviour, do not be put back, and if others would hinder you, be the more resolute, the more determined, to be heard by him.
Luke 18:40. And Jesus stood, and commanded him to be brought unto him:
Jesus had been walking along, the crowd making way for him, but he was arrested by the cry of a blind beggar: «Jesus stood, and commanded him to be brought unto him:»
Luke 18:40-41. 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.
A plain question and a very distinct answer. What is it that you, dear friends, want of Jesus? Could you all tell if the question were put to you? What is it that you would have the Lord do for you? Do you know? This man did know; and when we know, as he did, what we want from Christ, we shall soon get it. The sad fact concerning many people is that, though they are not blind with their natural eyes, they are so blind in heart that they cannot see their own needs.
Luke 18:42-43. And Jesus said unto him, Receive thy sight: thy faith hath saved thee. And immediately he received his sight, and followed him, glorifying God:
Christ his only to speak, and the great work is done at once. The salvation of a soul from the power of sin is not the work of weeks; it can be done in a single moment. «Immediately he received his sight, and followed him.» That is beautiful; as soon as he could see, he looked for Christ, and then followed him, «glorifying God.» He clapped his hands, and followed Jesus, shouting and crying, «Blessed be God, I have found my sight! The darkness is over, and the light has broken in upon my soul.»
Luke 18:43. And all the people, when they saw it, gave praise unto God.
This exposition consisted of readings from Luke 18:31-43; Luke 19:1-10.