Sermon for Quinquagesima. The Scripture readings are Isaiah 35:3-7; 1 Corinthians 13:1-13; and Luke 18:31-43.

In our Gospel text, it is almost as if Jesus is going to walk around Jericho. Our text says that He is passing by (Lk. 18:36), but this this blind man keeps crying out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Instead of quietly marching around Jericho, Jesus stops. It’s like Christ can’t help Himself. Even in the cursed city of Jericho, Jesus doesn’t ignore cries for mercy because He is mercy embodied.

He stops, stands still, and asks for the blind man to be brought to Him. There, in the wicked city, King Jesus, the Son of David, makes a kingly offer, “What do you want me to do for you?”

Think of all the times throughout the Scriptures, a king will be pleased with someone and make an offer, “Ask me for anything, up to half my kingdom, and I will give it to you.” Here Jesus doesn’t put any limit on the request, “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man answers, “Lord, let me recover my sight.” And Jesus says to him, “Recover your sight; your faith has made you well (lit. ‘saved you’).” Not only does the man get the sight he asks for, he gets more. Christ gives this resident of wicked Jericho life and salvation. And the man's response is to follow Jesus to Jerusalem where He will be mocked, shamefully treated, spit upon, flogged, and killed and where He will rise again on the third day.

As we begin Lent this Wednesday, let us abandon our wickedness and follow King Jesus to Jerusalem this Lent. He leads, and we follow with grateful hearts to Jerusalem, to the cross, and to the empty tomb on Easter.