“As Jesus approached Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the road begging. When he heard a crowd going by, he asked what was going on. They told him, ‘Jesus the Nazarene is passing by.’ So he called out, ‘Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!’” —Luke 18:35–38
Poor and blind, sitting by the roadside, this beggar is indeed an example of the world for which Jesus came to seek and to save. Helpless to change his condition, this man sits by the road begging. You can almost hear his cup shaking with the few coins he has received. And all the while he is pleading, “Can you spare anything for my empty cup? I am so needy, is there nothing you can give me? Can someone please help me in this terrible state I am in?” This poor man needs more than anyone 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 scene the Living Water. When that precious water enters our cups, they overflow leaving no room for want.
The world’s “water” satisfies only for 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 we all thirst for. Jesus gives life that is not constricted but overflowing.
“Great symbolic value is here in Luke’s account. The man was a beggar sitting by the side of the road, waiting for something to happen. He was blind and could do nothing to improve his condition. The Messiah came through his town (as He had walked through many towns). Immediately the blind man recognized Him as the Messiah, the One who could save him from his blindness. Spiritual outcasts, unable to help themselves, far more readily recognized the Messiah and asked for His help than did the Jewish religious leaders. The man had faith in the Messiah, and it was the Messiah’s power that had healed him. In the same way, if the nation had faith in the Messiah, their faith would have healed them of their spiritual blindness. As a result of the man’s healing, he and all the people who saw the miracle praised God.” —Bible Knowledge Commentary
The beggar cries out with faith and fervency to Jesus for mercy and favor. He believes Jesus is able to help him. 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 needs! Jesus is able to fill our empty cups! Jesus is able!
I love Psalm 91. Two passages speak clearly and beautifully of God’s willing protection, refuge, faithfulness, love, mercy, and satisfaction. We are blessed by His wonderful provision.
“He will shelter you with his wings; you will find safety under his wings. His faithfulness is like a shield or a protective wall.” — Psalm 91:4
“The LORDsays, ‘Because he is devoted to me, I will deliver him; I will protect him because he is loyal to me. When he calls out to me, I will answer him. I will be with him when he is in trouble; I will rescue him and bring him honor. I will satisfy him with long life, and will let him see my salvation.” —Psalm 91:14–16
The guilt and power of sin will weary our soul and leave us crying for mercy. Conversely, Jesus offers rest for the weary and lightness for the burden that we are groaning under.
Become More
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke on you and learn from me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and my load is not hard to carry.” —Matthew 11:28–30
Further Reflections
“Jesus replied, ‘Everyone who drinks some of this water will be thirsty again. But whoever drinks some of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again, but the water that I will give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up to eternal life.’” —John 4:13–14
“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