Two Blind Men

Living Hope Presbyterian Church

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Matthew 20: 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 Holy Bible, English Standard Version ©2011 Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. All rights reserved.

Sermon Summary: The sermon delves into the story of two blind men encountering Jesus on the road to Jericho, emphasizing themes of mercy, dependence on Christ, and spiritual sight. It contrasts the blind men’s humble and persistent approach with the disciples’ misguided pursuit of greatness in the kingdom of God. Through the lens of this encounter, the sermon highlights Jesus’ compassion, presence, and transformative power, inviting listeners to recognize their need for Christ’s mercy and respond by following him.

Key Points:

• Jesus’ response to the blind men exemplifies his compassion and willingness to stop for those in need.
• The blind men’s humble request for mercy contrasts with the disciples’ desire for positions of authority.
• The story underscores the importance of recognizing one’s dependence on Jesus and seeking spiritual sight.

Bible Verses Mentioned:

• Matthew 20:29-34

Humor and Anecdotes:

• No specific humor or anecdotes were shared in the sermon.

Key Quotes:

• “Jesus doesn’t see us as problems to be solved but as people in need of love.”
• “When you cry out to him, he listens.”
• “Unlike James and John, who sought thrones, these men sought mercy.”

Themes:

• Mercy and compassion: Jesus’ response to the blind men reflects his compassionate nature and willingness to help those in need.
• Dependence on Christ: The blind men’s plea for mercy highlights their recognition of their reliance on Jesus for healing.
• Spiritual sight: The restoration of physical sight symbolizes a deeper spiritual awakening and recognition of Jesus as the Messiah.

Discussion Questions:

1. How does the contrast between the blind men’s approach and the disciples’ ambitions challenge our understanding of greatness in the kingdom of God?
2. In what ways can we cultivate a spirit of humility and dependence on Christ in our daily lives?
3. Reflecting on the blind men’s response to Jesus, how can we deepen our recognition of our need for mercy and healing from Christ?

Metaphors and Stories:

• The metaphor of physical blindness representing spiritual blindness is evident in the story of the blind men gaining both physical and spiritual sight through encountering Jesus. This metaphor emphasizes the transformative power of Christ in opening our eyes to spiritual truths and leading us to follow him.