35 As Jesus approached Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging. 36 When he heard the crowd going by, he asked what was happening. 37 They told him, "Jesus of Nazareth is passing by."
38 He called out, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!"
Poor and blind, sitting by the roadside, this beggar is indeed a fitting emblem of the world of mankind for which Jesus came to seek and to save. Helpless to change his condition, he sits by the road begging for alms – you can almost hear his cup shaking with the few coins received all the while pleading, “Can you spare anything for my empty cup?’ “I am so needy, is there nothing you can give me?” “Can someone please help this contemptible state I am in?” This poor fellow needs more than mere man has the ability or wherewithal to give. Any coin that may have been thrown his way would still leave his cup clanging – a constant reminder of his needs never being fully met and the emptiness of his soul. Enter on the seen the Living Water. When that precious Water enters our cups they overflow leaving no room for want. Indeed, just as Jesus tells the woman at the well He tells us:
10 Jesus answered her, "If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water." John 4:10 (NIV)
13 Jesus answered, "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, 14 but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life." John 4:13-14 (NIV)
The world’s “water” satisfies for only a season and then we are left shaking our cups once again. The Living Water which Jesus offers provides us with continual satisfaction of needs and desires met which we all thirst for. In the very familiar Psalm 23, David affirms this by stating:
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Psalms 23:5 (NIV)
Christ gives life that is not constricted but overflowing. Indeed, Jesus Himself states:
10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. John 10:10 (NIV)
In our verses for today, our beggar cries out with faith and fervency to Jesus for mercy and favor. He believes Christ is able to help him. Reader, do we believe as he? Jesus is able to come to our aid. Jesus is able to come to our rescue. Jesus is able to meet our need. Jesus is able to fill our empty cups. Jesus is able. I am reminded of Jesus’ cry over Jerusalem – longing to aid His people yet they remained unwilling:
37 "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing. Matt 23:37 (NIV)
I love Psalm 91 which I lovingly deem the “I will” Psalm of God. Two passages speak clearly and beautifully to God’s willing protection, refuge, faithfulness, love, mercy, and satisfaction. Read and savor and be blessed by His wonderful provision through the promises of His Word to those of us, like our empty beggar, who call out: “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”
4 He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. Psalms 91:4 (NIV)
14 "Because he loves me," says the LORD, "I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. 15 He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. 16 With long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation." Psalms 91:14-16 (NIV)
Jesus adding in Matthew:
28 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Matt 11:28-30 (NIV)
The guilt and power of sin will weary any soul and like our beggar leave us crying for mercy. Conversely, Jesus offers rest for the weary and lightness for the burden that we are groaning under. We must be really sick of the sin, contrite in our soul over it; this is, as Matthew Henry says “a necessary preparation for pardon and peace.”
“”Jesus Christ will give assured rest to those weary souls, that by a living faith come to Him for it; a rest in God, in His love.” Matthew Henry