As Jesus approached Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging. When he heard the crowd going by, he asked what was happening. They told him, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.”
He called out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”
Those who led the way rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”
(verses 35-39)
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This is the only time in Luke’s Gospel that anyone addresses Jesus as “Son of David.” The only other time the title is used is by Jesus himself, posing a theological question while he was teaching in the temple during the week before his crucifixion: “How is it that they say the Christ is the son of David?” (Luke 20:41). In asking the question, Jesus implies that they’ve understood rightly – the Christ is, indeed, Son of David. Which then makes the blind man here in chapter 18 very insightful indeed. He is one of only a very few people in Luke’s gospel who actually has eyes to see who Jesus is. And he’s blind!
Having understood Jesus’ identity, he presses forward with the correct response. “Son of David, have mercy on me!” he shouts. In some ways, this blind man had an advantage. He very clearly knew his need. No question on that score. Jesus will later ask him directly, “What do you want me to do for you?” The answer is obvious, at least to the blind man – “Lord, I want to see,” he says, simply and directly. His need is clear.
But the need also made him desperate. If there’s any possibility of receiving sight, he wants it. So, he cries out. The crowd rebukes him. He cries out the louder.
And his request is theologically sound. “Have mercy on me!”, he pleaded. In crying out like that to Jesus, he laid bare his own need. In crying out, he declared with the whole of his being that Jesus is able. With his cry, he threw himself – without reservation, without safety-net – on Jesus’ compassion and love, trusting the Lord would act. Knowing he had no other hope.
Even before his healing, the blind man saw more clearly than most. I choose to stand side by side with him, acknowledging my need, crying out to Jesus, throwing myself on his mercy.
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Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!
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Pray:
Make this your prayer throughout this day. Pause often. Pray it in submission to his lordship. Pray it as you acknowledge specific needs.
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