Matthew 20:32

“And Jesus stood still, and called them, and said, What will ye that I shall do unto you?”

Context:This verse is part of the account of Jesus healing two blind men near Jericho. As Jesus was passing by, the blind men cried out to Him, saying, “Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou Son of David!” (Matthew 20:30, KJV). The people around them tried to silence them, but they persisted in calling out to Jesus. In response to their persistent cries, Jesus stood still and called them, asking what they wanted Him to do for them.

Themes and lessons from Matthew 20:32:

Jesus’ compassion:Jesus’ response to the blind men’s cries for mercy showcases His compassion and willingness to help those in need. Even though others tried to silence them, Jesus heard their pleas and stopped to address their needs. This highlights Jesus’ heart for the marginalized and His desire to bring healing and restoration.

The power of persistent faith:The blind men’s persistent cries for mercy and their unwavering faith in Jesus’ ability to heal them are noteworthy. Despite the obstacles and discouragement they faced, they continued to call out to Jesus. Their persistence paid off as Jesus responded to their faith and healed them. This teaches us the importance of persisting in faith and seeking God’s mercy and intervention in our lives.

Personal engagement with Jesus:Jesus’ question, “What will ye that I shall do unto you?” is significant. It shows His desire for a personal and specific request from the blind men. Jesus wanted them to articulate their needs and desires openly. This emphasizes the importance of our personal engagement with Jesus in prayer and expressing our heartfelt desires and needs to Him. It reminds us that Jesus is interested in the details of our lives and is willing to respond to our individual requests.

The Son of David:The blind men addressed Jesus as the “Son of David.” This title is a Messianic title, referring to the expected Messiah from the lineage of King David. By addressing Jesus as the Son of David, the blind men recognized His authority, power, and ability to bring salvation and deliverance. This title affirms Jesus’ Messianic identity and His role as the long-awaited Savior.

• Approach Jesus with persistence:The example of the blind men encourages us to approach Jesus with persistence and faith, even when faced with obstacles or discouragement. Let us persevere in prayer, seeking His mercy and intervention in our lives and trusting that He hears and responds to our cries.
• Be specific in prayer:Jesus’ question to the blind men reminds us to be specific in our prayers. When we approach Jesus, let us be clear about our needs, desires, and struggles. He wants us to engage with Him personally and share our hearts openly.
• Recognize Jesus as the Messiah:Like the blind men, let us acknowledge Jesus as the Son of David, the promised Messiah. Recognize His authority, power, and ability to bring salvation and restoration in our lives. Trust in Him as the One who can meet our deepest needs and provide spiritual healing.

In conclusion, Matthew 20:32 highlights Jesus’ compassion, the power of persistent faith, the importance of personal engagement with Jesus, and the recognition of Jesus as the Son of David. May we learn from the blind men’s example and approach Jesus with persistence, specificity in prayer, and a recognition of His identity as our Savior.