THE KING’S BUSINESS
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6:17, 26, type of the world, blind (cf. 2 Cor. 4:4; Rev. 3:17), a beggar clothed in rags (cf. Isa. 64:6). They were sitting by the dusty wayside, not a pleasant place to be, but better far for them to be there than in some shady palm grove of Jericho; for Jesus was to pass that way, and the best place for needy, sinful men is where Jesus is (Luke 10:39-42). Many a blind Bar timeus today needs to be told that Jesus is right at hand. As soon as they heard, they began to cry out. It was not so much to do but it was enough (cf. Rom. 10:13). They addressed Jesus as “Thou Son of David,” i. e. as the Messiah (Jer. 23:5; ch. 1:1-12, 23; 22:41-42). The people were displeased to hear that cry for mercy and rebuked them. There are many still, even religious people, who are irritated when they hear poor, sinful, afflicted people mak ing a disturbance by crying aloud to Jesus for mercy. They thought it beneath the dignity of Jesus to be disturbed by the clamour of these poor, blind wretches. But the blind men, though poor, were rich in faith and the rebuke they received, so far from closing their mouths only made them cry out the more. They would not be put off because they recognized the urgency of their case, that Jesus alone could help. They also believed that He could and would help. Their prayer was very definite, per sonal, earnest, importunate, pleading. Jesus was on important business, the most im portant errand of His life, and yet He "stood still’’ (v. 32) to listen to the cry of the poor, blind beggars and to relieve their need. .Are we like Him? Jesus opened their eyes with a mere touch. The cure was instant and complete. It was a beautiful world upon which they looked for the first time, but (he most beautiful object to them of all was Jesus Himself; so. they turned their backs on Jericho and “followed H im .” It is well to note they could not follow Jesus until He opened their eyes. Wednesday, March 24. Matt. 21:1-11. As Jesus drew near Jerusalem, He sent
sufferings if we would be sharers of His glory (2 Tim. 2:12; Rom. 8:17). James and John, full of self-confidence, unhesi tatingly declared themselves able to drink the cup Christ drank and to be baptized with the baptism with which He was baptized. Many with equal readiness and equal thoughtlessness today declare themselves ready to follow whever Jesus leads the way. Most glibly and unintelligently they sing, “Where He Leads Me, I Will Follow.” Jesus took John and James at their word. We best be careful about our professions for Jesus may take us at our word. It lies with the Father to decide who shall have the place of honor in His kingdom. The method of Christ’s kingdom is utterly at variance with the method of the kingdoms of the earth (vs. 25, 27). Jesus Himself, the Head of, the kingdom, is the supreme illustration of the principle that governs it; for He came “not to be ministered unto but to minister.” His ministry cost Him all He had. He laid down His life as a ransom to purchase life for the wicked world that had forfeited it (cf. 2 Cor. 5:21; Gal. 3:13; Titus 2:14; Isa. 53:5; 2 Cor. 8:9). He gave up the highest glory and descended to the deepest shame and thus attained to a name that is above every name (Phil. 2:6-9). The only greatness in God’s kingdom is the The three accounts of this miracle (cf. Mark 10:46-52; Luke 18:35-43) differ in de tails. At first sight this appears like con tradiction, but it is not really so. A very possible explanation of the apparent con tradictions is that Jesus healed one blind man as He entered Jericho, and this one told two other blind men, one of whom was Bartimeus whom Mark for some reason re garded as worthy of special mention, and they waited for Jesus as He should de part from the city. The two blind men as pictured in the narrative are a striking il lustration of man as he is by nature. His home Jericho (a city under a curse), Joshua greatness of. service. Tuesday, March 23. Matt. 20:29-34.
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