Pastor Chris Hess - 8/1/2012
Listen to Scripture - Matthew 20:29-34closeMatthew 20:29-34 29 And as they went out of Jericho, a great crowd followed him. 30 And behold, there were two blind men sitting by the roadside, and when they heard that Jesus was passing by, they cried out, “Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!” 31 The crowd rebuked them, telling them to be silent, but they cried out all the more, “Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!” 32 And stopping, Jesus called them and said, “What do you want me to do for you?” 33 They said to him, “Lord, let our eyes be opened.” 34 And Jesus in pity touched their eyes, and immediately they recovered their sight and followed him. (ESV)
THE PROBLEM OF BLINDNESS
MATTHEW 20:29-34
I.BLIND BEGGARS
A. Desperation
Jericho = “fragrance”
Helpless men – begging the crowds for coins or food
Help us Messiah!
Listen to Scripture - Act 13:22-23closeActs 13:22-23 22 And when he had removed him, he raised up David to be their king, of whom he testified and said, ‘I have found in David the son of Jesse a man after my heart, who will do all my will.’ 23 Of this man's offspring God has brought to Israel a Savior, Jesus, as he promised. (ESV)
B. Compassion
Jesus asks ?s to make a personal connection & to draw out faith
Immediate miracle of eyesight
They followed Jesus
C. Spiritual Blindness is Worse Helplessness!
Sin & the work of our enemy
BELIEVE & see!!!
Listen to Scripture - John 1:9closeJohn 1:9 9 The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. (ESV)
Where is Jesus? Where is He headed?
Why did the blind men scream so desperately?
Why did they call Jesus the Son of David? What does this tell us about their faith?
What does Jesus feel for helpless people?
What other kind of blindness does the Bible talk about?
Has the “crowd” around you tried to tell you not to cry out to & follow Jesus? How have you responded?
