How different is this blind man from the rich ruler we met yesterday! The ruler was rich and confident in his abilities. The blind man is unable to work – all he can do is to sit by the road begging. In the eyes of society, they are complete opposites.

But perhaps the greatest difference between the two is their opinion of Jesus. The rich ruler calls him, “Good Teacher.” Now, a teacher is certainly someone worthy of respect, someone you ask for advice, someone whose opinions you carefully consider. But, ultimately, the rich ruler decided that what Jesus had to say didn’t require him to make a fundamental change in his life. Instead of following Jesus, he left Him. Oh, he was sad about it, but he preferred keeping his money to becoming a disciple of Jesus.

What does this blind man call Jesus? Not, “Good Teacher,” but “Son of David.” This was a confession that Jesus was indeed the Messiah, the ruler that God promised would descend from the line of David. It’s a statement of faith not in Jesus’ knowledge, but in His power. And the request for healing demonstrates just how much power he believed Jesus had.

What do we think of Jesus? Is He just a teacher, someone who sets a good example for us, someone who shows us how to live? Or is He our Lord and King, the One Who doesn’t just tell us what is right and wrong, but the One Who commands obedience to His sovereign will? Does He just sympathize with us in our hurts and sorrows? Or does He have the power to right every wrong, to heal every hurt? What we think of Jesus will in large measure determine what we ask of Him.

The rich ruler asked for an opinion from an expert and decided to reject it. The blind beggar asked for sight from the Lord of the Universe and received it. Is it any wonder that the rich ruler went away sorrowful? Is it any wonder that the blind beggar followed Jesus with joy?

Luke 18:35-43 (ESV)

35 As he drew near to Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging.
36 And hearing a crowd going by, he inquired what this meant.
37 They told him, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.”
38 And he cried out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”
39 And those who were in front rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”
40 And Jesus stopped and commanded him to be brought to him. And when he came near, he asked him,
41 “What do you want me to do for you?” He said, “Lord, let me recover my sight.”
42 And Jesus said to him, “Recover your sight; your faith has made you well.”
43 And immediately he recovered his sight and followed him, glorifying God. And all the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God.