Luke 18: 31-43 Lord, Let Me See Again!

Luke 18:31-43 Lord, Let Me See Again!

[31] Then he took the twelve aside and said to them, "See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written about the Son of Man by the prophets will be accomplished. [32] For he will be handed over to the Gentiles; and he will be mocked and insulted and spat upon.
[33] After they have flogged him, they will kill him, and on the third day he will rise again." [34] But they understood nothing about all these things; in fact, what he said was hidden from them, and they did not grasp what was said.

[35] As he approached Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging. [36] When he heard a crowd going by, he asked what was happening. [37] They told him, "Jesus of Nazareth is passing by."
[38] Then he shouted, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" [39] Those who were in front sternly ordered him to be quiet; but he shouted even more loudly, "Son of David, have mercy on me!" [40] Jesus stood still and ordered the man to be brought to him; and when he came near, he asked him, [41] "What do you want me to do for you?" He said, "Lord, let me see again." [42] Jesus said to him, "Receive your sight; your faith has saved you." [43] Immediately he regained his sight and followed him, glorifying God; and all the people, when they saw it, praised God.

What is happening in this scripture? – The time is coming to a head. Jesus has just told the twelve, “See, we are going up to Jerusalem…” He speaks curiously in the third person of himself, saying the Son of Man will be handed over, mocked and insulted and spat upon. After being flogged they will kill him, and on the third day he will rise again. The disciples understand nothing; what he said was hidden, and they did not grasp what he said. As he approaches Jerichio, this new Joshua (that’s what the name Jesus derives from), a blind man who was sitting by the road begging hears the crowd and asks someone what was happening. They tell him Jesus of Nazareth is passing by. The blind man shouts out, Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Jesus stands still, orders the man to be brought to him, asks what he wanted him to do for him. The blind man says, “Lord, let me see again.” Jesus doesn’t say “I will heal you!” He says, Receive your sight; your faith has saved you. The man regains his sight, follows Jesus, glorifies God. When all the people saw it they praised God.
This scripture is about seeing. I highlighted all the words having to do with seeing, or not seeing. Even grasping is a form of tactile sight, and is how blind people “see” things. Jesus asks his disciples to see what is about to happen. This sight was hidden from them. But a bind beggar unabashedly shouts out to Jesus, calling him Son of David, and asking for mercy. This shout for mercy makes Jesus stop. Jesus tells the man to receive his sight; his faith has saved him.
Jesus was passing him by. He shouts for mercy. Sight is received. The man follows.

How is this happening in the world today? – Questions for people like us to ponder from this scripture:
What is Jesus trying to show us that we cannot grasp; what remains hidden? Who is doing the hiding?
What do people like us know of sitting by the roadside of life, blind and begging?
How many of us have cried for mercy when we hear that Jesus is passing by?

How is this story your story? -- What would you say to Jesus if you knew he was passing by?
What do you hope Jesus will let you see again?