And they told him, that Jesus of Nazareth passeth by.
The report that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by gave the blind man his opportunity to cry out earnestly for mercy to him as the Son of David. That same announcement is true today, for Christ walks unseen among people, working in the world and bringing messages of mercy to the homes that receive him. He is present to heal and bless all who receive him, ready to be found by everyone who humbly and earnestly seeks him, and coming with grace and power to bring salvation, pardon, and cleansing from sin to those who recognize their need. His passing blessing must not be allowed to pass without being received, but is an occasion to call on him for help, to come to him just as one is, and to receive through living faith the blessing he offers. Those who so seek him may receive clearer spiritual sight through God's grace, which is more valuable than gold, silver, precious stones, or earthly riches.
Historical Setting and Meaning
The report identifies him as Jesus of Nazareth and declares that he was passing by. His passing gave the blind man his opportunity to call out to him with an earnest plea for mercy to Jesus as the Son of David, crying Thou Son of David, have mercy on me. The man received his sight, and those who seek Jesus earnestly may in the same way receive clearer sight through God's grace, a gift more valuable than gold and silver and precious stones and all earthly riches.
His passing by is the sick person's opportunity to be brought to the great Physician in the arms of faith and to cry, Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on us. That cry brings comfort and felt healing power, leading to laying aside all medicine and relying alone on the great Physician while still reaching forward for entire restoration and expecting to see and feel more of God's salvation. The result is peace like a river, triumph in God, unspeakable gratitude for tokens of God's love, dedicating oneself anew to God, and strength to sound the last notes of warning to the world. His passing by is an opportunity to receive through living faith the blessing he offers, for Christ comes with grace and power, ready to bring salvation and pardon and cleansing from sin to those who recognize their need.
Christ Present Unseen Today
Although no such cry is heard in the streets, the announcement that Jesus of Nazareth passeth by is true for today, for Christ walks unseen among people, working in the world and bringing messages of mercy to homes that receive him. He waits to work with those who serve in his name, and is present to heal and bless those who receive him, ready to be found by everyone who humbly and earnestly seeks him. His passing by means he has come near to his people and blessed them as they trusted him, though they could not see him with human sight but perceived him by faith.
Sinners being told that Jesus is near shows they should recognize his nearness and his willingness to give them present salvation. Preaching should therefore present Jesus so clearly and tenderly that hearers feel he is near and are drawn to him.
His passing blessing must not be allowed to pass without being received. For God's commandment-keeping people who wish to glorify his name, receiving it requires walking humbly before him, coming down from self-exaltation, seeking the Lord with all heart and soul and strength and mind, searching the heart, setting in order what ought to have been set in order, and preparing the King's highway. His passing by is a call to come to him just as one is, even sinful and polluted, for his presence offers hope through the gospel and the possibility of sharing the divine nature and escaping the world's corruption, so all are urged to resist evil angels and lay hold of that hope.
Crying Out and Receiving
The verse belongs to the closing scenes of the church's history, when God's oppressed people raise a united, persistent cry to heaven for deliverance. His passing by is an occasion to call on Him for help, joined with the plea to be made whole in trust in His power to heal, and in prayer the words accompany a sense of God's nearness and relief from exhaustion. Hearing them announce His nearness alongside a plea for healing brought hope. The experience that followed was healing and renewed strength for service. The verse expresses the sense that Jesus is passing by and the need to respond to Him, with longing to be with Him on His throne.
The report that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by gave the blind man his opportunity to cry out earnestly for mercy to him as the Son of David. That same announcement is true today, for Christ walks unseen among people, working in the world and bringing messages of mercy to the homes that receive him. He is present to heal and bless all who receive him, ready to be found by everyone who humbly and earnestly seeks him, and coming with grace and power to bring salvation, pardon, and cleansing from sin to those who recognize their need. His passing blessing must not be allowed to pass without being received, but is an occasion to call on him for help, to come to him just as one is, and to receive through living faith the blessing he offers. Those who so seek him may receive clearer spiritual sight through God's grace, which is more valuable than gold, silver, precious stones, or earthly riches.
Historical Setting and Meaning
The report identifies him as Jesus of Nazareth and declares that he was passing by. His passing gave the blind man his opportunity to call out to him with an earnest plea for mercy to Jesus as the Son of David, crying Thou Son of David, have mercy on me. The man received his sight, and those who seek Jesus earnestly may in the same way receive clearer sight through God's grace, a gift more valuable than gold and silver and precious stones and all earthly riches.
His passing by is the sick person's opportunity to be brought to the great Physician in the arms of faith and to cry, Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on us. That cry brings comfort and felt healing power, leading to laying aside all medicine and relying alone on the great Physician while still reaching forward for entire restoration and expecting to see and feel more of God's salvation. The result is peace like a river, triumph in God, unspeakable gratitude for tokens of God's love, dedicating oneself anew to God, and strength to sound the last notes of warning to the world. His passing by is an opportunity to receive through living faith the blessing he offers, for Christ comes with grace and power, ready to bring salvation and pardon and cleansing from sin to those who recognize their need.
Christ Present Unseen Today
Although no such cry is heard in the streets, the announcement that Jesus of Nazareth passeth by is true for today, for Christ walks unseen among people, working in the world and bringing messages of mercy to homes that receive him. He waits to work with those who serve in his name, and is present to heal and bless those who receive him, ready to be found by everyone who humbly and earnestly seeks him. His passing by means he has come near to his people and blessed them as they trusted him, though they could not see him with human sight but perceived him by faith.
Sinners being told that Jesus is near shows they should recognize his nearness and his willingness to give them present salvation. Preaching should therefore present Jesus so clearly and tenderly that hearers feel he is near and are drawn to him.
His passing blessing must not be allowed to pass without being received. For God's commandment-keeping people who wish to glorify his name, receiving it requires walking humbly before him, coming down from self-exaltation, seeking the Lord with all heart and soul and strength and mind, searching the heart, setting in order what ought to have been set in order, and preparing the King's highway. His passing by is a call to come to him just as one is, even sinful and polluted, for his presence offers hope through the gospel and the possibility of sharing the divine nature and escaping the world's corruption, so all are urged to resist evil angels and lay hold of that hope.
Crying Out and Receiving
The verse belongs to the closing scenes of the church's history, when God's oppressed people raise a united, persistent cry to heaven for deliverance. His passing by is an occasion to call on Him for help, joined with the plea to be made whole in trust in His power to heal, and in prayer the words accompany a sense of God's nearness and relief from exhaustion. Hearing them announce His nearness alongside a plea for healing brought hope. The experience that followed was healing and renewed strength for service. The verse expresses the sense that Jesus is passing by and the need to respond to Him, with longing to be with Him on His throne.