1. THE BLIND MEN SEIZED THEIR ONE AND ONLY CHANCE TO MEET JESUS
1.1. As far as we know, this is the only time Jesus ever went to Jericho
1.1.1. If these two blind men had not insisted on going to Jesus then, they would have missed the great blessing they received
1.2. Many people are lost because they miss their chance
1.2.1. We simply cannot wait to get right with God. We must seize the opportunity the moment it comes.
1.3. The philosophers court of Athens on Mars Hill told Paul, “We want to hear you again on this subject”
1.3.1. Acts 17:32 32 When they heard Paul speak about the resurrection of the dead, some laughed in contempt, but others said, “We want to hear more about this later.” 33 That ended Paul’s discussion with them
1.3.1.1. To our best knowledge, they never spoke to Paul again
1.3.2. Governor Felix said he wanted to hear the gospel some other time
1.3.2.1. Acts 24:24 24 A few days later Felix came back with his wife, Drusilla, who was Jewish. Sending for Paul, they listened as he told them about faith in Christ Jesus.
1.3.2.2. Acts 24:25 25 As he reasoned with them about righteousness and self-control and the coming day of judgment, Felix became frightened. “Go away for now,” he replied. “When it is more convenient, I’ll call for you again.”
1.3.2.3. There is no record of his doing so
1.4. General George C. Patton once said
1.4.1. “A good plan executed now is better than a perfect plan executed next week.”
1.4.2. If you need to be saved, if you need to have a closer walk with the Lord, if you need to deal with some sin in you life, you had better do it now!
2. THE BLIND MEN BELIEVED THEY COULD EXPERIENCE GOD’S POWER IN THEIR LIVES
2.1. These men asked for and fully expected God to perform a great work
2.1.1. Their faith gave God room to work in their lives.
2.1.2. They Leaned in
2.2. In the same way, God led Gideon to expect a great blessing from him even when victory seemed impossible
2.2.1. Judges 6, 7 7 When they cried out to the Lord because of Midian
2.3. The Widow of Kings 4:4-7
2.3.1. 2 Kings 4:4 4 Then go into your house with your sons and shut the door behind you. Pour olive oil from your flask into the jars, setting each one aside when it is filled.”
2.3.2. 2 Kings 4:5 5 So she did as she was told. Her sons kept bringing jars to her, and she filled one after another
2.3.3. 2 Kings 4:6 6 Soon every container was full to the brim! “Bring me another jar,” she said to one of her sons. “There aren’t any more!” he told her. And then the olive oil stopped flowing.
2.3.4. 2 Kings 4:7 7 When she told the man of God what had happened, he said to her, “Now sell the olive oil and pay your debts, and you and your sons can live on what is left over.”
2.3.5. Willing to give God all that she had, and she received back more than she ever needed.
3. THE BLIND MEN REFUSED TO BE DISCOURAGED BY OTHERS
3.1. The crowd demanded that these blind men keep silent, but they refused and insisted on coming to Jesus.
3.2. Hebrews 11:6 6 And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.
4. CONCLUSION
4.1. The blind men followed Jesus after he had healed them
4.2. These two men did not merely accept the relief of the moment
4.3. They readily gave themselves to the King
4.4. Considering all that Jesus has done for you, will you follow Jesus as well?
5. Message Video
6. Matthew 20:29–34
6.1. On His final journey to Jerusalem for the Passover
6.1.1. Jesus passed through Jericho
6.1.2. Only eighteen miles east of Jerusalem
6.1.3. This is right before he Goes to Jerusalem to die
6.2. Matthew 20:29-30 29 As Jesus and the disciples left the town of Jericho, a large crowd followed behind. 30 Two blind men were sitting beside the road. When they heard that Jesus was coming that way, they began shouting, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!”
6.3. Matthew 20:31 31 “Be quiet!” the crowd yelled at them. But they only shouted louder, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!”
6.4. Matthew 20:32 32 When Jesus heard them, he stopped and called, “What do you want me to do for you?”
6.5. Matthew 20:32 33 “Lord,” they said, “we want to see!” 34 Jesus felt sorry for them and touched their eyes. Instantly they could see! Then they followed him.
6.6. The restoration of their sight. Jesus healed these men because their hearts and minds were ready to receive a great blessing from God
6.7. God rewards those who commit themselves completely to him even in the face of obstacles and opposition
7. THE BLIND MEN KNEW WHO JESUS WAS
7.1. Eight hundred years before Jesus walked through the streets of Jericho
7.1.1. Jesus' ministry was becoming more and more clear. He was the Messiah
7.1.2. Isaiah 9:6 6 For a child is born to us,a son is given to us.The government will rest on his shoulders.And he will be called:Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7.1.3. Isaiah 9:7 7 His government and its peace will never end.He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David for all eternity.The passionate commitment of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies will make this happen!
7.2. They didn’t understand that the everlasting kingdom Jesus would establish would be the church
7.2.1. They didn’t know, and if they knew, they wouldn’t have understood, what Jesus was about to do in Jerusalem
7.2.2. By addressing Jesus as the “Son of David,” they showed that they understood Jesus was the Messiah. Jesus was the promised King
7.3. The foundational truth of Christianity is that Jesus is Lord, he is the King
7.3.1. John 10:38 (NLT) 38 But if I do his work, believe in the evidence of the miraculous works I have done, even if you don’t believe me. Then you will know and understand that the Father is in me, and I am in the Father.”
7.3.2. If you really understand that, you will eventually understand whatever else God wants you to know
7.3.3. If you understand that, then you have found the path to the blessed life that God in his grace is prepared to pour out on those who accept his Son as their Lord