Parallel Texts: Matthew 20:29-34; Luke 18:35-43
Jesus continues His journey to Jerusalem and reaches Jericho; it isn’t far now to His destination. As they were leaving the city, followed by a large crowd, a blind beggar calls out to Jesus and people rebuke him, telling him to be quiet, yet Jesus hears the man’s cry. We aren’t even into the story, but what an image!
Everyone around this poor fellow wanted him to shut up, but Jesus hears his cry and sends someone over to get him and bring him to Jesus. Does Jesus tell the man to be quiet? Certainly not; He asks the man what He can do for him.
“Rabbi, I want to see.”
“Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.
Mark 100:52
I wasn’t with Mark when he wrote all of this, and I never had the opportunity to ask him why this story is stuck in this particular spot. Oh, sure, it was the next thing that happened; we can agree with that to a point, at least it’s the next thing Mark decided to tell us about. Ah yes, sometimes a story is more powerful because of what isn’t mentioned, and in this one, we have been in some pretty deep water in 10:1-45 haven’t we? Then, the next section is the Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem. Right in the middle, between Jesus’ discussion of who is great in the Kingdom and His final entry into Jerusalem, the great climax of history, Mark drops this in: Why not mention something else,surely there were other incidents along the way?
Throughout the Kingdom Tour, Jesus has brought light into darkness; it’s been right there for all to see. Now, as He and the others begin their steep climb into the mountains to a Jerusalem that is as dark as can be, they are bringing the light of Truth and God’s Word along with them for all to see, and as Jesus and His entourage are walking past a blind man, the man shouts, “Rabbi, I want to see.”
And Jesus gives him sight so that he can see the Light of the World.
I don’t know about you, dear reader, but I think this is one of those “wow” moments.
Life Project Blog 
Wow moment is right! I never looked at it in quite that way before even when I read that passage last week! Thanks for pointing it out!
It’s all part of the service, no extra charge…. 🙂
Beautiful. The story… your commentary… the man’s faith… the miracle… Jesus himself… everything. Praise God. Thank you Jesus. Amen. Keep up the great work with your blog. It’s inspiring. 🙂
Thank you, Estrella
Reblogged this on Una Estrella Fugaz | A Shooting Star and commented:
Short, sweet & to the point: faith brings miracles. Thank you Jesus.
I like that point of his wanting to see. May we all want to see Jesus also.
Agreed!
I really like your stuff! Very insightful. Keep ’em coming!
Thanks Jeffrey
Amen. Wow is right. What a statement. Thanks for sharing.
A great quote and reflection. I often think in passages like this that we do not know the name of the one saved and he did not call Jesus the Messiah or Son of God or David; he called Jesus rabbi, teacher. This brings to my mind and heart the hope that in Jesus all who seek Him, even if they do not know His name, these too will be saved by Jesus. I pray that His mercy, Divine Mercy, will shine upon these poor souls who seek the goodness of God that they will find it.
I believe that the saints have led us to these prayers, interceding for the souls who do not know or believe in God, that they may see the gospel truths.
And you may well be right!
Certainly, I hope and pray that God blesses us all and guides our prayers aright. No prayer lifted up with good intention is left unaided by the Holy Spirit.
Amen