Bring him to me (Luke 18:35-43)

Luke 18:35-43   35 As Jesus approached Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging.  36 When he heard a crowd going by, he asked what was happening.  37 They told him, "Jesus of Nazareth is passing by."  38 Then he shouted, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!"  39 Those who were in front sternly ordered him to be quiet; but he shouted even more loudly, "Son of David, have mercy on me!"  40 Jesus stood still and ordered the man 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 see again."  42 Jesus said to him, "Receive your sight; your faith has saved you."  43 Immediately he regained his sight and followed him, glorifying God; and all the people, when they saw it, praised God. 

What I find fascinating about this story is that Jesus doesn't go over to the man who is begging for healing.  Instead Jesus tells the people who are following him to bring the man to him.  Jesus doesn't really need them (or us) to be involved in his mission.  He could have easily walked over to the man.  After all he created the entire universe without us.  But what Jesus demonstrates to us in this story is that he wants us to take part in his mission.  He doesn't need us to fulfill his mission, but he desires for us to be part of it.  He knows that it will fulfill and complete us to be able to participate.

And the people who brought the man to Jesus, have a front row seat to see the miracle.

Who is Jesus pointing out to us today saying, "Can't you see they are calling out to me.... Bring them to me."   What miracle might we witness if we participate?

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The other gospels weigh in...


Mark 10:46 - 52   46 They came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples and a large crowd were leaving Jericho, Bartimaeus son of Timaeus, a blind beggar, was sitting by the roadside.  47 When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout out and say, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!"  48 Many sternly ordered him to be quiet, but he cried out even more loudly, "Son of David, have mercy on me!"  49 Jesus stood still and said, "Call him here." And they called the blind man, saying to him, "Take heart; get up, he is calling you."  50 So throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus.  51 Then Jesus said to him, "What do you want me to do for you?" The blind man said to him, "My teacher, let me see again."  52 Jesus said to him, "Go; your faith has made you well." Immediately he regained his sight and followed him on the way.  

There are two similar accounts in Matthew that involve 2 blind men...

Matthew 9:27-31   27 As Jesus went on from there, two blind men followed him, crying loudly, "Have mercy on us, Son of David!"  28 When he entered the house, the blind men came to him; and Jesus said to them, "Do you believe that I am able to do this?" They said to him, "Yes, Lord."  29 Then he touched their eyes and said, "According to your faith let it be done to you."  30 And their eyes were opened. Then Jesus sternly ordered them, "See that no one knows of this."  31 But they went away and spread the news about him throughout that district.

Matthew 20:29-34   29 As they were leaving Jericho, a large crowd followed him.  30 There were two blind men sitting by the roadside. When they heard that Jesus was passing by, they shouted, "Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!"  31 The crowd sternly ordered them to be quiet; but they shouted even more loudly, "Have mercy on us, Lord, Son of David!"  32 Jesus stood still and called them, saying, "What do you want me to do for you?"  33 They said to him, "Lord, let our eyes be opened."  34 Moved with compassion, Jesus touched their eyes. Immediately they regained their sight and followed him.