Most of Jesus’ followers did not understand who he really was. They called him "Master", "Lord", "Prophet", or "Nazarene". But few dared to say he was Christ, the King coming from God. When the blind man who sat by the wayside in Jericho asked and knew that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by with his followers, he cried out, saying, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me." The poor blind man knew three things and said them: First, that Jesus was the promised inheritor of David. Second, that Jesus was the one to whom God decided to be a Father. Third, that God guaranteed to him his Father’s throne forever. With this faith, the blind man interpreted the promise written in (2 Samuel 7:12-14), and understood the conformity of its meanings with Jesus, the wonderful Physician, trusting that all the blessings and powers of God flowed from him.
When the multitudes following Jesus heard the crying, they tried to silence that parasite, but he cried so much the more, for he knew with the eyes of his heart, in spite of his blind sight, who Jesus of Nazareth was. He confessed his faith in him, and did not yield to the multitudes’ warnings to him; but thought within himself: Now is the chance of my lifetime, which will pass if I do not make use of it. So let me cry as loud as I can.
In this certainty, he believed that David’s successor was merciful, and not an arrogant sultan; and that he cared for the poor, and had enough time for a despised blind man whom he had mercy on in the mercy of the Merciful.
Jesus stood with all his following multitude, lingering on his way to the cross, toward this poor believer, and commanded him to be brought to him. The multitude stood speechless, seeing how Jesus did not refuse this call to him as Christ, the Son of David, thus admitting the truth that he was really the Son of David, and the Son of Man at the same time.
And when the blind man stood before Jesus, he heard his tender voice, saying to him, "What do you want me to do for you?" Jesus, having called up all the blind man’s expectations that he might rest on his healing power, the blind man requested neither heaven, nor money, nor eternal life, nor forgiveness, but simply that he might receive his sight, which was exactly what Jesus wanted his disciples to ask him for. He thought they had understood everything and seen all the mysteries, but they were blind in spirit, in spite of their open eyes. Would that we observe our limited minds, our little knowledge of the word of God, and the weak works of love, and become prepared for the question of God’s love: "What do you want Me to do for you?" How do you answer this question of Jesus? Do you answer it as that blind believer did, saying: "Open my eyes"? Do you pray for opening the eyes of your friends and enemies, or are you satisfied with your sight and insight? Ask the Almighty Lord to show you the selfishness of your heart that the scales of your blindness may fall from your eyes, and you may look at the world with compassion and mercy as Jesus looks in his divine love.
The Son of God said his authoritative word to the blind man: "Receive your sight." In this command, he put his creative power in the will of the blind man, gave live to his nerves, and encouraged him to obey his royal command, employing all the dormant powers in the poor man. Jesus also commands you to be seeing, aware of the wonders of the redemptive plan of God, and seeing first the unique person of JESUS. The first experience that impressed the healed man deeply when he received his sight was seeing the face of Jesus Christ before him. When he saw that face that is full of kindness, love, and truth, he immediately understood: "This is my King, Jesus of Nazareth, the Son of God."
Before the healed man and the people exploded with the storm of praise and thanks, Jesus said to the sighted man: "Your faith has saved you." This faith began with the poor man’s deep penetration into God’s promises given to David. He realized them in Jesus, trusting that he was the merciful Holy One. He had seen him more clearly with the eyes of his heart. And when he heard about his coming, he cried to him faithfully, humbly, and determinedly, clinging to the gown of his Savior who was passing by. Such faith saves. Read the Holy Bible that you may see Jesus in all his beauty, and receive his great power.
The healed man followed his Master Jesus immediately, for the restoration of his sight suddenly was an indisputable proof of the authority of Christ. His eyes did not hurt him anymore. He did not have to bind them up with bandages, as after a surgical operation, for Jesus healed him with one word. Jesus is the creating God present among men, for God had visited them beginning with setting up his kingdom. But all those followers were blind, for they did not grasp that Jesus was on his way to the cross, where those who were presently glad about him would crucify him.