WHAT a heart warming and instructive incident this is of Jesus granting sight to the two blind men. Jesus was leaving Jericho, with a large crowd following him, when two blind men, on hearing that Jesus was passing, shouted to Jesus, asking him to help them. In spite of the the discouragement of the crowd, these two men refused to give up shouting to Jesus. The response of Jesus was so different to the crowd. He stop and called to the blind men, asking them what they desired. On being told, Jesus willingly and graciously granted their request. On receiving their sight, these two men followed him. What a wealth of instruction and teaching we have here.

The first thing that is impressed upon us is the power of a great sense of need. To be blind in the society of the time when Jesus lived on the earth meant that life was destroyed. To be unable to see meant that a person lost everything in life. A blind person could not find work, so he could not earn a living. There was no support built into society. Blind people were reduced to begging for food. From the attitude of the crowd to these men when they shouted for help, we can see that people just felt such people a nuisance and not worth any consideration. From such a condition these men had such a great sense of their need, that when there was an opportunity to regain their sight, they would not let anything or anyone get in the way of obtaining what they wanted.

In this we see the tragedy of most people in the world. There is a much greater blindness than physical blindness. It is the blindness to our condition before God as sinners. People are blind to their sin and corruption. They are blind to the fact that because of their sin they are under the wrath and judgement of God. They are blind to the fact that because they are under the wrath of God they are living life on the broad road that leads to destruction. Because people don't realize this blindness they have no sense of their need, and because of this they do not seek healing from this blindness. When a person realizes this blindness and their need, like these two blind men, nothing will put them off seeking Jesus for healing of their blindness.

Then there is the blessing of spiritual sight. Even though these two men could not see Jesus, their spiritual eyes were open, and they saw Jesus as the Christ and as their Lord. They addressed Jesus as Lord, and called him the Son of David. They had heard of Jesus and from this had sprung their faith in him. Such was their need and their faith that they would not give up calling to him, and refused to be silenced by the crowd, or intimidated by the crowd. It is a great blessing to see Jesus as Lord and Christ, and to believe that he is able to save to the uttermost all who call upon him.

Then let us notice the attitude of these two blind men in their calling to Jesus. They came humbly. They did not demand, but simply cried for Jesus to be merciful to them. In this they acknowledged that they did not deserve to receive anything from Jesus. Here is the true and right way to come to Jesus, both for the salvation of our soul, and ever after in all our approach to him. Blessed is the person who see that they can only cry for mercy from Jesus, and know they deserve nothing from him. This is illustrated by the Tax Collector praying in the temple. He cried for mercy because he knew himself to be a sinner. His cry for mercy was heard, and he was forgiven. The Pharisee, on the other hand, came pleading for reward for his supposed good works, and God did not hear his prayer.

Then we have illustrated here the wonderful truth that no one who cries to Jesus for mercy will ever be turned away. How the devil seeks to hide this wonderful truth from us. When Jesus heard the urgent prayer of these two men, he stopped and responded, and when they asked that they could see, Jesus instantly granted their request. Notice the testimony to Jesus given here. Jesus had compassion to them. This is the blessed truth which we have told to us here. No one need fear to cry to Jesus for mercy and for salvation from the wrath of God. If we are like these two blind men, and come in all humility, in sorrow for our sins, Jesus will save us, and forgive all our sins for his sake. The invitation to all to come to him is given in those lovely words of Matthew 11:28. All who are burdened and heavy laden with their sin and guilt, when they come to Jesus, will find Jesus gives them rest for their souls, that is forgiveness of all their sins and the gift of eternal life.

Then let us notice the clear testimony to Jesus which there is in this incident. There is the testimony to his compassion to all in need. There is the testimony to his willingness to pour out compassion. There is the testimony to his divine power to save to the uttermost all who come to him in need. He simply touched the eyes of these men, and perfect sight was given them. Jesus truly is God able to save and heal.