The Gospel Of Matthew Chapter 20 Part 10 God Sees Our Troubles And Hears Our Cries!

In Matthew chapter twenty, we were blessed by the Parable of the Laborers and The Vineyard because it teaches us about the kingdom of God.

The parable is followed by Jesus third foretelling of what would happen to Him when they arrived in Jerusalem. 

In speaking of these events, Jesus gave us the essential, core truths of the gospel that we must never surrender. 

The next paragraph focused on the disciples pride and ambition as John and James sought a high position in the kingdom of heaven.

They were men of like passions as we are, and they struggled with these sins.

Therefore, we must guard against pride, ambition or angry reactions in our own heart. 

We must confess our sins and seek the forgiveness and cleansing that God promises to give us.

The last paragraph in this chapter involves Jesus healing two blind men.

It is as if the spotlight turned from character flaws in His disciples back to the glorious and wonderful ministry of Jesus to the sick, afflicted and oppressed.

This chapter could be outlined like this: 1). Christ's parable 2). Christ's prophecy 3). Christ's put down of pride 4). Christ's provision of ministering miracles.

Matthew 20:29-30  And as they departed from Jericho, a great multitude followed him. 30  And, behold, two blind men sitting by the way side, when they heard that Jesus passed by, cried out, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou Son of David. 

Matthew tells us that Jesus encountered two blind men in the presence of a great multitude that followed Him.

Jesus always did good to the multitudes that followed Him, and He always gave glory to His Father for the mighty works that He did. 

In the mixed multitude, some followed Jesus because they remembered how He fed two vast throngs of people who listened to Christ's teaching (See Matthew 14:13-31; 15:32-39).

Some who followed Jesus had sincere faith and love for Him. These faithful ones received instruction from Jesus regarding their duty to God and man.

Others in the multitude were no doubt curious to see Jesus work a miracle of some type.

Some were expecting the immediate reign of Messiah, and were hoping that Rome would be overthrown.

For the sake of His truly faithful followers, Jesus confirmed His doctrine by miracles done in their presence.   

With the words "And behold" Matthew alerts us that something wonderful and important is going to take place.

Jesus saw two blind men sitting side by side in the way, along the road going from Jericho to Jerusalem.

Mark's gospel tells us that one of the men was named Bartimaeus (See Mark 10:46).

Blindness was a terrible affliction to endure, especially in ancient times. There were no ophthalmologists or optometrists to help them with their sight.

Blindness meant living like a beggar, always dependent upon the generosity and kindness of other people, an being unable to learn a trade to provide for self and family. 

We have a remarkable picture here. Jesus saw two blind men, but they did not see Him.

Exodus 2:23-25  And it came to pass in process of time, that the king of Egypt died: and the children of Israel sighed by reason of the bondage, and they cried, and their cry came up unto God by reason of the bondage. 24  And God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob. 25  And God looked upon the children of Israel, and God had respect unto them. 

Exodus 3:6-8  Moreover he said, I am the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. And Moses hid his face; for he was afraid to look upon God. 7  And the LORD said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows;  

Moses encountered Jehovah at the burning bush in a desert place. 

When God began speaking with him, Moses knew His utter unworthiness to stand in the presence of a holy God and He was afraid to look on Him.

Take note of Jehovah's words for they directly connect with Matthew's narrative. 

When Israel cried out to God and groaned under the harsh conditions imposed by Egyptian taskmasters, He heard their cries and looked upon their plight.

He said "I have surely seen the affliction of my people."

Because God saw their affliction, He chose to bring deliverance from the bondage of Egyptian slavery by using Moses as His chosen leader.

The two blind men could not see Jesu, but the Creator of all things took note of them, and this should encourage each of us.

Matthew 20:30  And, behold, two blind men sitting by the way side, when they heard that Jesus passed by, cried out, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou Son of David. 

Like Jehovah hearing Israel's cries of desperation in Egypt, Jesus will hear the blind men cry our for mercy.

They cried out loudly so that they could be heard over the noise of the multitude surrounding Jesus. 

We see two men sitting side by side suffering from the same affliction of blindness.

This reminds us that God may allow afflictions in our lives so that we may come alongside another Christian who suffers from a similar issue.

Why so? Because one who suffers from blindness has much more empathy and is better equipped to comfort and pray with another believer who is blind.

This would be true for all manner of health or relationship issues. 

They are crying to Jesus Christ, the Son of David. 

These men must have heard about Jesus mighty miracles and they knew that Messiah, the Son of David, would come with healing in His wings (See Malachi 4:2).

Hebrews 4:16  Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. 

The two blind men craved mercy from Christ, without mentioning their particular affliction.

They did not seek riches or fame or property, because receiving sight would be the greatest blessing of all in their minds.

We are urged to come boldly to the throne of grace so that we can obtain mercy from God and grace to help us in our time of greatest need.

The two blind men demonstrated hope in Jehovah because they knew the scriptures say there is abounding mercy and plenteous redemption with Him (See Psalm 130:7).

Matthew 20:31  And the multitude rebuked them, because they should hold their peace: but they cried the more, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou Son of David. 

Those in the multitude rebuked the blind men for crying out for mercy, but they cried out even louder and prayed more persistently.

It is sad that the multitude seemed to lack empathy toward the blind men and it is still true today that many people care little about those who are afflicted.

The blind men called Jesus the Son of David and Lord. 

Paul tells us that no man can call Jesus Christ, Lord of all apart from the regenerating work of God's Spirit bringing new life and a new heart to a repentant sinner (See 1 Corinthians 12:3).

Matthew 20:32  And Jesus stood still, and called them, and said, What will ye that I shall do unto you? 

Mark 10:48-49  And many charged him that he should hold his peace: but he cried the more a great deal, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me. 49  And Jesus stood still, and commanded him to be called. And they call the blind man, saying unto him, Be of good comfort, rise; he calleth thee.

Like Jehovah, Jesus saw their affliction and heard their desperate pleading.

What did Christ do? 

He stopped and stood still and called them. 

While the crowd told them to be quiet, Jesus stopped and stood still to hear them.

We see the difference in the make up of the multitude. 

Some were annoyed and resented the blind men crying out for help.

Those who had genuine faith told the blind men "Be of good comfort and rise up for He is calling you."

Oh, the comforting words of Jesus: "What will ye that I should do unto you?"

Jesus was willing to help them and knew that He had power to heal their afflictions. 

Christ was going to shower heaven's mercy upon two blind men!

Therefore, Jesus called or summoned them to come near Him.

Psalm 72:12-13  For he shall deliver the needy when he crieth; the poor also, and him that hath no helper. 13  He shall spare the poor and needy, and shall save the souls of the needy. 

The Psalmist spoke of Messiah in many places.

This text declares that Messiah, the Son of David will deliver those in need who cry out to Him, especially those like these blind men, that had no helper.

Jesus asked the men what their desire was and this is in accord with Jesus' teachings from the Sermon on the Mount.

Matthew 7:7-8  Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:   For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

The blind men are asking, seeking and knocking by crying out to Jesus for His mighty intervention.

They had no one to help them, nowhere else to turn for hope and help.

However, they had heard of the words and works of Jesus Christ the Son of David and they believed.

Faith comes by hearing the Word of God and without faith it is impossible to please Him (See Romans 10:17; Hebrews 11:6).

By faith, they turned to Jesus the Son of God, Son of David, the Mighty Messiah who came to seek and save the lost.

Matthew 20:33-34  They say unto him, Lord, that our eyes may be opened. 34  So Jesus had compassion on them, and touched their eyes: and immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed him. 

Jesus already knew their need for He is the Omniscient Son of God.

However, it is the will of God that we should in every thing, make our requests known to Him by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving (See Philippians 4:6).

They simply asked for sight.

Jesus never hesitated to answer their request.

His love and compassion for their affliction moved Him to touch their eyes and they immediately received their sight.

From that moment these men followed after Jesus. They became His disciples because God worked in their lives in a mighty way.

Thus, the entrance of God's Word into their hearts led them to faith in Christ and in turn they received their sight (See Psalm 119:130).

They could testify with the blind man Jesus healed near the pool of Siloam, that "whereas I was blind, now I see" (See John 9:25).

This teaches us important truths about God and His Son, Jesus Christ.

First, God does know about our troubles, afflictions and problems.

Second, God does care about each one of us.

Third, God hears us when we cry out to Him by faith and He looks on us with favor.

Fourth, faith comes by hearing, reading and receiving instruction from the scriptures. 

Fifth, the power of the gospel calls a repentant sinner out of the darkness of Satan's evil domain, and into the light of Christ's kingdom.

Last, we must walk by faith and exercise the trust that these men had in calling out to Jesus, the Son of David, for help.

When we ask with persistent prayed and in accord with God's revealed will, He will hear us.

When we sincerely seek God with all our heart, we will find Him.

When we knock on the door of heaven for mercy and grace to help us in our times of need, Christ will send what is best for us.

Bob