Sermon Video - "Lord, I want to see" Luke 18:35-43

In this final message from Luke, (having preached the whole Gospel of Luke here at 1st Baptist over the past four years, which means all of it is available in my sermon videos, 100 in all) Jesus is confronted by a blind beggar shouting at him from the side of the road.  The blind man, having little hope in this world, acted quickly when hope itself walked by him in the form of Jesus.  We don't know what he knew about Jesus already, but his response was perfect, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!"  When those near him told him to be quiet, a sad example of people on the inside blocking those who seek God's help from the outside, he simply shouted louder until Jesus heard him.  The blind man's faith, and persistence, was rewarded by Jesus who asked him a simple, and seemingly obvious question, "What do you want me to do for you?"  The blind man, what could he want from Jesus?  It may seem unnecessary for Jesus to ask, but God finds tremendous value in our asking him for help.  The simple act of humbling yourself and acknowledging God's power by asking for it changes the one doing the asking, a worthwhile goal.  The blind man responded as he should have, "Lord, I want to see".

This episode illustrates God's compassion and power, of course, but it also serves as an insightful metaphor for those in need seeking God's help, in particular those suffering from spiritual blindness; an affliction less obvious to an outside observer than physical blindness, and yet something that God can cure, without fail, for those who seek his help.

To watch the video, click on the link below: