Mercy Passing By
Or
Ask And Receive Mercy And More
Sunday May 15, 2022
Scripture To Consider:
“Then it happened, as Jesus was coming near Jericho, that a certain blind man sat by the roadside begging. And hearing a multitude passing by, he asked what it meant. So they told him that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by. And he cried out, saying, ‘Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!’”
“Then those who went before warned him [the certain blind man] that he should be quiet; but he cried out all the more, ‘Son of David, have mercy on me!’ So Jesus stood still and commanded him to be brought to Him. And when the blind man had come near, Jesus asked him, saying, ‘What do you want Me to do for you?’ He said, ‘Lord, that I might receive my sight.’”
“Then Jesus said to him, ‘Receive your sight; your faith has made you well.’ And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus, glorifying God. And all the people when they saw it, gave praise to God.” Luke 18.35-43
Something To Consider:
This is one of those events that critics of the bible like to find fault with. Luke tells us there was one blind man. Mark informs us there was one blind man named Bartimaeus, and Matthew in chapter 20, states that there were two blind men sitting by the road to Jericho.
Could it be that Bartimaeus was the spokesperson, if there were two blind men? Either way, whether one or two blind men, it does not change the truth being taught or cheapen the lessons of a lifetime to be learned.
What is more interesting is that the blind man or two blind men were there begging for whatever anyone having mercy upon them would give to them. But when blind Bartimaeus learned that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by, he cried out, saying, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”
His addressing Jesus as the Son of David, meant he believed Jesus to be the Messiah, the Anointed One of Israel. This is quite impressive for a blind man, whose lot in life was being led by the hand of others to sit daily by the side of the road begging for a meager existence and seeking the mercy of anyone willing to give to him.
But, this day Jesus of Nazareth, mercy in the flesh, was passing by and blind Bartimaeus did whatever it took to get His attention. King David, the psalmist, proclaimed in Psalm 103.17; “The mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon those who fear Him.” But, looking at this 21st century generation, it is evident that there are few who fear the Lord!
Something Else To Consider:
But, David must have taught the lesson of a lifetime of mercy to his son, Solomon. For in Proverbs 28.13, truth is explained by our being informed; “He [or she] who covers their sin shall not prosper; but whoever confesses and forsakes them [their sins] shall have mercy.”
Are we in the habit of confessing our sins, transgressions, and iniquity? Or are we acting as if we have no sin? And if we are confessing our sins to God our Father, are we then forsaking them? Are we therefore, bearing the sweet fragrance of the fruit of our forgiveness?
The prophet Micah boils down our earthy existence as true believers in Micah 6.8, by stating; “What does the LORD require of you [and of me], but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your [our] God.” Therefore, do we love mercy? And if so, then we should be walking humbly with our God, and doing those things He has commanded, and doing them justly or with upright integrity!
Something More To Consider:
It is impressive that after the blind man in our Scripture to consider was warned to be quiet, he cried out all the more, not concerned about reputation or reprisal. And upon hearing his pleas for mercy, Jesus stood still. What must have raced through the mind and heart of blind Bartimaeus at the sound of silence?
But the silence was broken by Jesus asking him, “What do you want me to do for you?” Without hesitation, the response came loud and clear, “Lord, that I might receive my sight.” And immediately blind Bartimaeus received his sight and followed Jesus, glorifying God. “And all the people when they saw it, gave praise to God.”
If Jesus was to pass by us today, would we sense His presence in the silence? Would we be willing to ask Him for mercy? Or would we hear Him whisper, “You have not, because you ask not.” Or worse, would we hear Him say, “Depart from Me, you worker of iniquity, I never knew you.” Blind Bartimaeus cried out for mercy from Jesus, and blind Bartimaeus received God’ mercy and more. Let us go and do likewise!
Jesus announced in His sermon on the mount in Matthew 5.7; “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy [or possess mercy].” Are we obtaining or are we in possession of the mercy of God in our everyday lives? Are we exemplifying the mercy of God by our being merciful to those around us? The mercy of God is reciprocal!
A Few Final Words:
Jesus also declared in Luke 6.36; “Therefore, be merciful, just as your Father [heavenly Father] also is merciful.” Have we become the mercy of our heavenly Father to others? When we enter into a room where others are who know us, are we looked at as mercy passing by? Or is our life more clarified as condemnation come in the flesh? Father help us to become more like Jesus!
According to the apostle Paul, writing to the Colossian church, speaking of the born-again transformation that should take place as we become new creations in Christ; taught us a lesson of a lifetime in Colossians 3.12. “Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved [by God], put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, and longsuffering.”
He continued in verse 13, by saying; “Bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, and if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.” Jesus, though He was shown very little mercy while here on earth, stands still for anyone with the faith to both ask and to receive of His everlasting mercy.
The question remains, do we need to become physically blind, in order to see our need for spiritual insight into the mercy of God passing by each and every day of our earthly lives? “Then Jesus said to the blind man, ‘Receive your sight, your faith has made you well.’”
Living in these end times, we need all the mercy we can receive from the Lord. Living in these end times, we also need to show mercy to those of whom God brings across our paths. What are we learning from these lessons of a lifetime?
Prayer:
Our Father in heaven, teach us the importance of asking for mercy in faith without doubt or fear of reprisal, while Jesus is passing by. In Him Always, Amen!
According to Jesus 