LENT 2016 - GOING TO JERUSALEM

Sunday, First Sunday in Lent

Jesus Heals Two Blind Men - Matthew 20: 29 - 34

            It is intentionally ironic that the two blind men sitting by the side of the road, utter strangers and beggars, truly understand Jesus' identity   better and more quickly than the disciples who have been on this road with Jesus for considerable time.

            In the Gospels blindness is just about always a sign of spiritual near-sightedness, of people who are walking in great darkness and who need the light that Jesus brings into the world.

            So far, the good disciples have been a discordant voice of dissent, misunderstanding, confusion, ambition, defiance, arrogance and ignorance, i.e. blindness. They have been stumbling into each other or getting in Jesus’ way as they get closer to Jerusalem. Their understanding of true discipleship has continued to take wrong turns and detours.

            They are on the verge of arriving in Jerusalem, when they come upon these two blind beggars. “Lord, have mercy upon, Son of David.” Their cries are a precursor to what is about to happen in the next few verses describing Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem and the cry of the crowds: “Hosanna to the Son of David.” (21:9)

These two blind men are sandwiched in between the disciples’ misunderstanding about Messiahship and the crowd’s hunger for a new king, a rival to Herod and Rome.

“Lord, let our eyes be opened.”

This should be the honest request of all disciples, including us. We need to see Jesus for who he really is, the hope and Way for a whole, new life, not what we want him to be. Yes, the blind men speak honestly out of their personal need, but, in so doing, gave  their lives to Jesus and followed him, joining him on the road to Jerusalem.

Instead, just two blind no-bodies. Just two cast-offs, like garbage on the side of the road. Just two losers for whom nobody gave a second thought, except for Jesus who had compassion and touched their eyes.

“Immediately they gained their sight and followed him.” (v.34)

Ironic – how, some of us can be with Jesus and never see a blessed thing; and others who have been so blind about their lives see him clearly.