And, behold, two blind men sitting by the way side, when they heard that Jesus passed by.
Jesus of Nazareth passing by
The time of this transaction was critical. He never was to come that way again. It was necessary for these blind men to be by the way while Jesus was passing. Had they been elsewhere they could not have received their sight. They caught the first sound of the approaching Saviour. Some men are too buried in their merchandize to know that He is passing. It is not enough to sit idly by the way side. These men made no demands but for mercy.
1. Their earnestness. They felt their need.
2. The difference between the unfeeling multitude and the compassionate Saviour. Put thine ear to the gospel and listen. “He calleth thee.” (E. Griffin, D. D.)
Spiritual blindness
I. Men are blinded by reason of sin. They do not see the truths of religion.
II. It is proper in this state of blindness to call upon Jesus to open our eyes. If we ever see, it will be by the grace of God. God is the fountain of light, and those in darkness should seek Him.
III. Present opportunities should be improved. This was the first time that Jesus had been in Jericho, and it was the last time He would be there. He was passing through it on His way to Jerusalem. So He passes among us by His ordinances. While He is near we should seek Him.
IV. When people rebuke us, and laugh at us, it should not deter us from calling on the Saviour.
V. The persevering of cry of those who seek the Saviour aright will not be in vain.
VI. Sinners must “rise” and come to Jesus. Cast away everything that hinders their confine.
VII. Faith is the only channel through which we shall receive mercy.
VIII. They who are restored to sight should follow Jesus. Wherever He leads-always-none else. He cannot lead astray. He can enlighten our goings through all our pilgrimage. (A. Barnes, D. D.)
The blind taught to see
Mr. MacGregor, in his recent “Voyage,” gives a most interesting account of Mr. Mott’s mission to the blind and lame at Beirut. He says, “Only in February last that poor blind fellow who sits on the form there was utterly ignorant. See how his delicate fingers run over the raised types of his Bible, and he reads aloud and blesses God in his heart for the precious news, and for those who gave him the avenue for truth to his heart. ‘Jesus Christ will be the first person I shall ever see,’ he says, ‘for my eyes will be opened in heaven.’ Thus even this man becomes a missionary … At the annual examination of this school, one of the scholars said, I am a little blind boy. Once I could see; but then I fell asleep-a long, long sleep. I thought I should never wake. And I slept till a kind gentleman called Mr. Mott came and opened my eyes-not these eyes,’ pointing to his sightless eyeballs, ‘but these,’ lifting up his tiny fingers-‘these eyes; and oh! they see such sweet words of Jesus, and how He loved the blind.’”
Hearing of Christ
Happy it was for these two blind beggars that, though blind, they were not deaf. They had heard of Christ by the hearing of the ear, but that satisfied them not, unless their eyes also might see Him. They waylay, therefore, the Lord of Light, who gives them upon their suit both sight and light, irradiates both organ and object, cures them of both outward and inward ophthalmies at once … Few such knowing blind beggars nowadays. They are commonly more blind in mind than body, loose and lawless vagrants; such as are neither of any church or commonwealth; but as the baser sort of people in Swethland, who do always break the Sabbath, saying, that it is only for gentlemen to sanctify it; or rather, as the poor Brazilians, who are said to be without any government, law, or religion. (John Trapp.)
Necessitous
men:-Here we have-
I. Such persons making the best of their opportunities-Christ was passing by.
II. One class of such failing to sympathise with another-the multitude rebuked.
III. Founding their appeal on the right ground-mercy.
IV. Presenting a right condition of will” what will ye,” as if all things were placed at the disposal of the right will. (J. Parker, D. D.)
Keep in the way of blessing
Be still in the King’s highway, in the use of the means, for though the natural use of the means and God’s saving grace have no connection, yet there is far less a connection betwixt that grace and the neglect of means. The poor beggar, that needs an alms from the king, goes to the king’s highway, where he passes; and surely he is nearer to his purpose than if he should go to the top of a mountain where the king never comes; so, be you still in the use of means, in the Lord’s way. (Erskine.)
A wise use of the means of salvation
Those that wait upon the Lord in the use of the means and ordinances, they hereby spread their sails, and are ready for the Spirit’s motions which bloweth where it listeth. There is more hope of these than of such who lie aground, neglecting the means of grace, which are both as sail and tackling. The two blind men could not open their own eyes; that was beyond their power, but they could get into the way where Jesus passed, and they could cry to Him for sight, who only could recover it. Those that are diligent in the use of means and ordinances, may sit in the way where Jesus passes by, who uses not to reject those that cry unto Him. (Clarkson.)