Lord, I Want to See

IIT UBF - University Bible Fellowship at IIT

Lord, I Want to See

Date: Jul. 29, 2017

Passage

Luke 18:31-43 (ESV)

31 And taking the twelve, he said to them, “See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written about the Son of Man by the prophets will be accomplished. 32 For he will be delivered over to the Gentiles and will be mocked and shamefully treated and spit upon. 33 And after flogging him, they will kill him, and on the third day he will rise.” 34 But they understood none of these things. This saying was hidden from them, and they did not grasp what was said.

35 As he drew near to Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging. 36 And hearing a crowd going by, he inquired what this meant. 37 They told him, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.” 38 And he cried out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” 39 And those who were in front rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” 40 And Jesus stopped and commanded him to be brought to him. And when he came near, he asked him, 41 “What do you want me to do for you?” He said, “Lord, let me recover my sight.” 42 And Jesus said to him, “Recover your sight; your faith has made you well.” 43 And immediately he recovered his sight and followed him, glorifying God. And all the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God.

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (ESV) is adapted from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. All rights reserved.

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Daily Bread

Key Verse: 18:41

“What do you want me to do for you?” He said, “Lord, let me recover my sight.”

1. Blind disciples (31-34)

Jesus told the Twelve privately what would happen in Jerusalem. He was going there to die for the sins of the world. This was why he had come (Jn 1:29). The prophets had looked forward to this. But his disciples could not accept it. They were blinded by their ambition and by their human affection for Jesus. Jesus wanted his disciples to have gospel faith and prepared them to see the upcoming events through the lens of the gospel.

2. A blind man who received his sight (35-43)

As he approached Jericho, a blind beggar shouted,

"Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" He accepted Jesus as the Messiah. He understood the purpose of the Messiah's coming--to be a real shepherd for men like himself, to heal, and to restore life. Others told him to be quiet and tried to stop him, but he cried out to Jesus even more. Jesus always hears prayers for mercy. Jesus asked the blind beggar, "What do you want me to do for you?" The blind beggar had just one prayer topic: "Lord, I want to see." He wanted to be healed and restored. Jesus seeks people who long for his healing and forgiveness.

Prayer: Lord, heal my spiritual blindness and help me to cry out for your messianic mercy and healing.

One Word: Jesus makes the blind to see

Complacent or Victorious?

Revelation 3:1-13

Key Verse: 3:5

The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life. I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels.

Today's Question

How is Christ exalted?

See answer and references