The Pulpit Commentary — Luke — Volume 2 — Section 131

Vers. 31--43.-Blindness, mental and physical. Having spoken to the disciples about recompense, he balances his consolation by giving them fair warnin" of his owu approaching humiliation and death. Ilut they were so infatuated about the honours that they were totally blind to the humiliation. Christ's words were no better than idle tales to them. It suggest.•- !. THE O:t,.'E-SIDED WAY IN WHICH PEOPLE MAY READ THE BIBLE. (Ver. 31.) Wbat was about to happen to Jesus was prophesied nges before. '!'he Old Testament ple- sented a suffering as well as au exalted Messiah. But the Jews totally overlooked the humiliating a.•pect. And in the very same way people go still to God's Word, and find there only what they want to find. It needs great trials oftentimes to expound some passages of the Di vine Word to us. We are partial students; we do not enter into the wide meaning of the Word as God would have us! Il. GREAT~ TRIALS ARE NEEDED TO OPEN OUR EYES TO THE OVERLOOX.ED REALITIES. (Vers. 32-34.) It is plain that they did not take in Christ's meaning until he was actually taken from them and crucified. In the terrible suffering which seemed to extinguish all their fond hopes, the overwhelmed men got the spiritual vision, and were enabled to see a suffering as well as an exalted Messiah revealed in the Divine Word. And do we not often, when crushed and broken by trial, come to appropriate passages of God's Word which formerly were blank to us? We ought to bless God for tile opened eye, even though the process of opening it be painful. Ill. THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST MADE AMENDS FOB ALL THE PREVIOUS BUFFERING. (Ver. 33.) For resurrection was exaltation; it was glory which could only be reached through the tomb. No possibility was there of Jesus being raised if he had nevel' died. lt is an experience cheaply purchased, perhaps, through death and the grave. IV. LET us C01'"'TRAST WITH TfilS THE CURE OF BLIND BARTJM.IEUS. (Vers. 35-43.) From blind disciples-mentally blind-Luke proceeds to speak of the blind beggar and his physical cure. Jesus was proceeding to Jerusalem to enter it as King. It was a royal progress. Here was one of the splendid accompaniments of it. 1. The condi'.tion of tl,e pwr blind beggar. He was blind, and, as he could not keep himself by work, he had to beg. He was thus perfectly helpless and dependent. And he knew his defi• ciencies. There was no unconsciousness of them or indifference to them. 2. The knowl,edge he possessed of Jesus. He had heard of Christ's miracles, how he had cured several blind men previously. He knew he was the Son of David, and regarded him as true Messiah. Hence his knowledge of Christ was sufficient to lead him to throw himself upon his mercy as soon as he had the chance. 3. Tlte visit of Jesus to his neighbourhood. Jesus was passing on, and the crowd surged mightily around him. 'l'be noise fell upon the blind man's acute ear, and led him to ask what it all meant. Then, as soon as he learned that Jesus was passing by, he began to cry, "Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me!" Noble example! Should not all who feel their need of mercy cry as Bartimreu., did ? 4. Discouragement only intensifies his eagerness for ble1;sing. The crowd rebuked him, but Bartimreus persevered. The more disconracrement, the more importunity. So let it be with us in our seasons of discouragement. 5. The call of Jesus. The importunate one is summoned to the Saviour's presence. Those who once discoura;:;ed him now urge him forward. 6. The inquiry of Jesus. Ilartimreus is asked what mercy he desires; and his whole soul goes forth in the words, "Lord, that I may receive my sight I" It is surely well when we clearly know our need and desire _its supply.. 7. The ?u~e cti7!ferred and its c?nse~uences. Bartimams is thrown upon his faith; accordmg to this 1s hie cure. But his faith was strong enough for the occasion. lie co11sequently sees plainly, and his fresh sight is used to guide him after Jesus. So is it with us if we receive from Jesus our spiritual healing. 'l'lien we see the Saviour plainly, and we learn and are proud to follow him. The people, too, in seeing us follow Christ, will learn to glorify the God of grace who has enabled WJ to do ao.-R. M. E. OIi. xrx. 1-48.] THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. LUKE.