LUKE 18:35-43 – As he drew near to Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging. And hearing a crowd going by, he inquired what this meant. They told him, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.” And he cried out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” And those who were in front rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” And Jesus stopped and commanded him to be brought to him. And when he came near, he asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?” He said, “Lord, let me recover my sight.” And Jesus said to him, “Recover your sight; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he recovered his sight and followed him, glorifying God. And all the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God.
THEME OF THE DAY. FAITH DEFINED BY JESUS. Try this little experiment. In your homes, neighborhoods, among your friends, maybe even in your circle of Christian brothers and sisters, ask the question, “What is faith?” and listen to what we will hear. There will be statements like, “Trust in God”, “Belief in God”, “Hope in God”, and among unbelievers things like, “Optimism that things will get better.” I am sure we will hear other things about faith, but the real question about defining faith is “What does the Bible teach us about true faith?” The classic “definition verse” is found in the letter to the Hebrews. We read “Now faith is the assurance, ground, substance of things hoped for, the conviction, evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1), but make sure we read the entire chapter to see faith affirmed and illustrated. We will find actions, confidence, and submissive attitudes giving us the true meaning of Biblical faith, What Hebrews 11 means is that mere acknowledging a generic trust in God or a profession of belief in Him falls short of true Biblical faith. And a good place to see true Biblical faith defined and in action is in today’s scripture.
As we look at this account of a blind beggar regaining his sight, let’s start with Jesus’ declaration – “Recover your sight; your faith has made you well.” This is important because our Lord recognizes the attitude and actions of the beggar were acts of genuine faith. There are three helping us to see real faith alive and well.
First, Biblical faith begins with acknowledgement of desperate need and helplessness – And the beggar cried out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” This man knew he had no hope in himself or any other human being. It was Jesus or nothing. And true saving faith comes to realize that unless Jesus touches us, forgives us, heals us, we are undone for all eternity. To look away from oneself and self-sufficiency is the first element in Biblical faith.
Next, Biblical faith will not give up seeking what is desired. It perseveres. It refuses to be denied – And those who were in front rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” Because the blind beggar knew only Jesus could help him, he would not give up seeking His mercy no matter the opposition. That is what genuine Biblical faith does. Like Job, it cries out, “Though You slay me, yet I will trust You” (Job 13:15). When God grants us the gift of faith, it never leaves us. Oh, it will be tried, and at times we may think we cannot go another day, but we do. Why? True faith endures. True faith seeks and never stops.
The third thing we found in Biblical faith is confidence Jesus can grant the request, fulfill the need, and will be true to His Person and power – And when he came near, Jesus asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?” He said, “Lord, let me recover my sight.” And Jesus said to him, “Recover your sight; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he recovered his sight and followed him, glorifying God.
God is pleased when we exercise true Biblical faith. It is a desperate faith that sees our need. It is persevering faith that comes to God seeking Him. And it is a faith that is confident that He will meet the need we bring to Him. May God help us define faith as He does, not our world or own understanding.
PRAYER: “Father, help me to never define Your truth by what I think it is and says instead of what it really is and says.”
QUOTE: “Faith is not just a profession of beliefs. Faith involves the whole being of a person – mind, heart, and will.”