A PRAYER TO START
Our faith is a matter of sight. Faith is not a wish, but vision to see more than is immediately in front of us. Often our “eyes”, like those of a new borne, require time and effort to adjust to such a splendid and enormous world. Pray today with all those given new sight…
Father, thank you for eyes to see. For the ability to see the world as you created and are re-creating, I am grateful and overwhelmed! Let not my eyes become so fixed on what is in front of me that I miss you and all you are doing around me. In your divine compassion point out to me what it is you desire for me to witness. Grant my eyes strength to mature and steadfastness to remain wide open as I follow you. Amen.
GETTING THOUGHTFUL
The final words in Matthew’s story before Jesus enters into Jerusalem to face those that oppose his presence by letting the weight of our sin collapse his lungs are these,
And Jesus in pity touched their eyes, and immediately they recovered their sight and followed him. (20:34)
Matthew 20:29-34 contains the story of two men unable to see and destined to partake in society on the outskirts as they live on the margins and on the pity of others. Pitied things often become pitiful things. Thus these men had no voice or business crying out to the miracle worker whom the crowds who tossed the occasional coin their way had come to meet. Yet these without sight saw something missed by most. They recognized the “Son of David!” approaching. A title that only the unapologetically blind (9:27-31) and the faithful foreigner (15:21-28) use to refer to Jesus. This title carries with it the weight of no mere prophet or healer, but the honor of the Messiah; the long awaited one who would free God’s people from bondage to sickness, sin and death.
Disregarding the rebukes of the people whose disdain for them was evident even if they continued to contribute to their health care, the sightless relentlessly called out in hope; a hope that was met! Jesus hears their confession that he indeed is the Son of David, and asks them a rather odd question, “What do you want me to do for you?” Isn’t it obvious what these men want? Or, could there be something more that Jesus wants for them, and asking his question is a way of drawing them into something much greater than what they can immediately imagine?
Their answer is revealing. They ask not for sight, but for their “eyes to be open”. This phrase carries a double meaning. Certainly they desired to have the use of their eyes to behold the beauty of the world, the faces of their family, and access once again into society. Yet, they also desired to see Jesus, with impeccable clearness, for who they believed him to be: the Messiah saving all the world. They desired what our heritage has often called “spiritual eyes” or “eyes of faith”.
Having drawn out their hearts, Jesus “has compassion” on them; which is different than the “pity” thrown their way by society. In fact, as Leon Morris (238-239) notes,
“In the New Testament this verb [“has compassion”] is always used of Jesus or by Jesus in his parables; it is particularly associated with him. H. Köster comments, ‘outside the original parables of Jesus there is no instance of the word being used of men. It is always used to describe the attitude of Jesus and it characterises the divine nature of His acts.’ He finds in Matthew’s use of the term ‘a Messianic characterisation of Jesus rather than the mere depiction of an emotion’…What we are to see here is not purely human pity, but divine compassion for troubled people.”
Are we not all “troubled people” feeling our way through life without light but in need of compassion so that we might live by sight? In his divine compassion, Jesus reaches out and touches their eyes. A word could have saved them, but he chose to demonstrate his love and tender mercy by opening their eyes with the caress of his hand. Immediately they receive what they have asked for: sight to see the world and vision to recognize Jesus as the way, truth and life. Thus, they “followed him”. In other words, they became disciples.
There is a difference between this story and first set of blind men we met in Matthew 9:27-31. David Garland (212) explains,
“The first blind men followed Jesus along the way and pursued him into the house pleading for mercy…but they disobeyed Jesus’ command to keep quiet about the miracle...The second blind men “follow Jesus” after their eyes have been opened, which implies that they follow as disciples. With his touch they recover their sight in time to witness his helpless suffering on the cross.”
The first pair pursued Jesus for what they could gain but cared little for the mission he was on as Messiah; thus they cared not to listen to him and act in accordance with his desires. The second pair are as equally desperate for a better life now as the first two, but also recognize that living in relational obedience to Jesus is where abundant life is truly found. Even if that relationship takes them to unexpected and unfavorable places along the route.
REFLECTION
Jesus’ encounter with a second set of sightless men at the conclusion of Matthew 20:29-34, offers us an opportunity to reflect on our own state and motivations in pursuit of him. He longs to draw us into more than what our hearts immediately desire. Will we hear his question and receive his compassionate touch?
Use the questions in the section below to help you prayerfully reflect individually and/or discuss as a DNA group.
What do you come to Jesus seeking?
Why do you come to him seeking it?
Is Jesus someone who amazingly gives you what you long for, or someone whose compassion compels your obedience? Describe how your actions and attitudes over the last week reflect your answer.
What is Jesus inviting you not just to receive but to follow him into this week?
ECHO
In the poem titled If We Understood by an anonymous poet, we hear the exposition of Jesus in these last several chapter of Matthew’s gospel story, describing for us the recreating of the earth as it is in heaven and the patience and persistence of the Father in the renewing efforts, as well as, the revelation that our own hearts and aspirations often struggle to accept what is the kingdom come and coming still. Imagine what life would be like to have eyes to see the treasure of the kingdom we now reside in with Christ!. May these words echo in your heart, in your mind, upon you lips and in your actions this week.
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Could we but draw back the curtains
That surround each other's lives,
See the naked heart and spirit,
Know what spur the action gives,
Often we should find it better,
Purer than we judged we should,
We should love each other better,
If we only understood.
Could we judge all deeds by motives,
See the good and bad within,
Often we should love the sinner
All the while we loathe the sin;
Could we know the powers working
To o'erthrow integrity,
We should judge each other's errors
With more patient charity.
If we knew the cares and trials,
Knew the effort all in vain,
And the bitter disappointment,
Understood the loss and gain—
Would the grim, eternal roughness
Seem—I wonder—just the same?
Should we help where now we hinder,
Should we pity where we blame?
Ah! we judge each other harshly,
Knowing not life's hidden force;
Knowing not the fount of action
Is less turbid at its source;
Seeing not amid the evil
All the golden grains of good;
Oh! we'd love each other better,
If we only understood.