In "Expository Thoughts on Matthew 20:29-34," J.C. Ryle presents a theological reflection on faith, perseverance, and the compassion of Christ as illustrated through the healing of two blind men near Jericho. He emphasizes that true faith can be found in unexpected places and highlights that these men, despite their blindness, exhibited a profound trust in Jesus’ ability to heal them based on hearsay, not firsthand experience. Ryle cites Luke 18:1 regarding persistent prayer and Genesis 32:26 to illustrate the necessity of perseverance in seeking Christ, particularly in the face of opposition. He concludes that the story exemplifies Christ's mercy and kindness, inviting believers to approach Him with confidence, emphasizing the importance of diligent use of means of grace in pursuing spiritual healing and salvation.
Key Quotes
“With all our books of evidence and lives of saints and libraries of divinity how few know anything of simple childlike confidence in Christ's mercy and Christ's power.”
“We must arise and go to the road where Jesus walks. Who can tell but He will soon pass by for the last time.”
“Let none of these things move us. If we feel our diseases and want to find Jesus the great Physician — if we know our sins and desire to have them pardoned — let us press on.”
“The Lord Jesus is not only a mighty Savior but merciful, kind, and gracious to a degree that our minds cannot conceive.”
What does the Bible say about faith in Christ?
The Bible teaches that faith involves trusting in Christ's power and mercy, often seen in those who seem least deserving.
Matthew 20:29-34
Why is perseverance in seeking Christ important?
Perseverance in seeking Christ is crucial because it reflects our earnest desire for salvation and healing.
Luke 18:1, Matthew 20:29-34
How does Jesus show His compassion?
Jesus shows His compassion by listening to our petitions and responding to our needs with grace.
Matthew 20:29-34, Ephesians 3:19
In these verses we have a touching picture of an event in our Lord's history. He heals two blind men sitting by the wayside near Jericho. The circumstances of the event contain several deeply interesting lessons, which all professing Christians would do well to remember.
For one thing, let us mark what strong faith may sometimes be found, where it might least have been expected. Blind as these two men were, they believed that Jesus was able to help them. They never saw any of our Lord's miracles. They knew Him only by hear-say, and not face to face. And yet, as soon as they heard that He was passing by, they "cried out, "Lord, have mercy on us, O son of David!"
Such faith may well put us to shame. With all our books of evidence, and lives of saints, and libraries of divinity, how few know anything of simple, childlike confidence in Christ's mercy and Christ's power. And even among those who are believers, the degree of faith is often strangely disproportionate to the privileges enjoyed. Many an unlearned man, who can only read his New Testament with difficulty, possesses the spirit of unhesitating trust in Christ's advocacy, while deeply-read divines are harassed by questionings and doubts. They who, humanly speaking, ought to be first, are often last, and the last first.
For another thing, let us mark what wisdom there is in using every opportunityfor getting good for our souls. These blind men sat "by the wayside." Had they not done so, they might never have been healed. Jesus never returned to Jericho, and they might never have met with Him again.
Let us see, in this simple fact, the importance of diligence in the use of means of grace. Let us never neglect the house of God—never forsake the assembling of ourselves with God's people—never omit the reading of our Bibles—never let drop the practice of private prayer. These things, no doubt, will not save us without the grace of the Holy Spirit. Thousands make use of them, and remain dead in trespasses and sins. But it is just in the use of these things that souls are converted and saved. They are the ways in which Jesus walks. It is those who "sit by the wayside" who are likely to be healed. Do we know the diseases of our souls? Do we feel any desire to see the great Physician? If we do we must not wait in idleness, saying, "If I am to be saved, I shall be saved." We must arise and go to the road where Jesus walks. Who can tell but He will soon pass by for the last time? Let us sit daily by the way-side.
For another thing, let us mark the value of pains and perseverance in seeking Christ. These blind men were "rebuked" by the multitude that accompanied our Lord. Men told them to "be quiet." But they were not to be silenced in this way. They felt their need of help. They cared nothing for the check which they received. "They cried out even more, "Lord, have mercy on us, O son of David!"
We have in this part of their conduct, a most important example. We are not to be deterred by opposition, or discouraged by difficulties, when we begin to seek the salvation of our souls. We must "pray always and not faint." (Luke 18:1.) We must remember the parable of the importunate widow, and of the friend who came to borrow bread at midnight. Like them we must press our petitions at the throne of grace, and say, "I will not let you go, except you bless me." (Gen. 32:26.) Friends, relatives, and neighbors may say unkind things, and reprove our earnestness. We may meet with coldness and lack of sympathy, where we might have looked for help. But let none of these things move us. If we feel our diseases, and want to find Jesus, the great Physician— if we know our sins, and desire to have them pardoned—let us press on. "The violent take the kingdom by force." (Matt. 11:12.)
Finally, let us mark how gracious the Lord Jesus is to those who seek Him. "Jesus stood still, and called" the blind men. He kindly asked them what it was that they desired. He heard their petition, and did what they requested.
He "being moved with compassion, touched their eyes; and immediately their eyes received their sight."
We see here an illustration of that old truth, which we can never know too well, the mercifulness of Christ's heart towards the sons of men. The Lord Jesus is not only a mighty Savior, but merciful, kind, and gracious to a degree that our minds cannot conceive. Well might the apostle Paul say, that "the love of Christ passes knowledge." (Ephes. 3:19.) Like him, let us pray that we may "know" more of that love. We need it when we first begin our Christian course, poor trembling penitents, and babes in grace. We need it afterwards, as we travel along the narrow way, often erring, often stumbling, and often cast down. We shall need it in the evening of our days, when we go down the valley of the shadow of death. Let us then grasp the love of Christ firmly, and keep it daily before our minds. We shall never know, until we wake up in the next world, how much we are indebted to it.
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