THE
DAY THE SON STOOD STILL
Matthew
20:32
Joshua, that man by whom the walls of Jericho
fell, on one occasion commanded the sun to stand still in the midst of heaven.
And at the command of a man “the sun
stood still.” We are told, “There was
no day like that before it or after it, that the Lord hearkened unto the voice
of a man” (Jos. 10:14). But here is a thing even more remarkable. The Lord
Jesus Christ, “the Sun of Righteousness,”
as he was coming up out of Jericho on his way to Jerusalem to redeem his
people, heard two blind beggars crying to him for mercy. At the sound of their
cry, we are told, “Jesus stood still!”
What a wonderful, amazing picture is here
drawn by the pen of inspiration! Here is the omnipotent God stopped in his
tracks, held fast by the cry of two needy souls seeking his mercy. He was on
his way to Jerusalem to accomplish the redemption of his people, to fulfill the
will of God, to finish the work set before him for the glory of God. Nothing
had been able to stop him, deter him from his work, or even cause him to pause.
But two blind beggars crying for mercy, two helpless souls looking to him for
grace and help, believing him, crying out to him, stopped the Son of God in his
tracks. “Jesus stood still!” There
are lessons to be learned here that are of more value than gold.
Faith is frequently found where it is least
expected. Multitudes followed the Lord Jesus as he walked along and taught
the people - Some for loaves and some for love - Some for greed and some for
grace - Some out of curiosity and some out of conviction. But there were very
few in the crowd who believed on Christ. Many who saw his mighty miracles did
not believe on him. But these two blind men never saw any of the Lord’s
miracles. They knew of him only by the hear-say testimony of others. Yet, “when they heard” they believed.
If we hope for mercy, we must avail
ourselves of every means of good to our souls. When they heard that “Jesus passed by,” these two men were
found “sitting in the way.” They said
to themselves, “He who healed the blind man on the other side of town is going
to be passing by here. He may never pass this way again. If we are to be
healed, it must be now. Let’s sit down `in
the way.’ Perhaps he will heal us too!” If you care for your soul, do not
despise God’s appointed means of grace (Rom. 10:17; II Tim. 3:15). Put yourself
“in the way” of blessing, in the
place where mercy is most likely to be found (Matt. 18:20; Heb. 10:25). And
seek the Lord in earnest prayer (Jer. 29:12-13).
How compassionate the Son of God is to
needy sinners! “Jesus passed by.” He
visited these men in prevenient grace, giving them blindness, so that in “the time of love” they would be found “in the way” as he passed by in saving
mercy - Blessed blindness! When he heard their prayer, “Jesus stood still!” He called them to himself. And he touched
them! What condescending grace. “Immediately
their eyes received sight and they followed him.” Faith always obtains
mercy. It never goes away from Jesus Christ empty-handed!
Grace Baptist Church of Danville - Grace For
Today Radio Message #614
2734 Old Stanford Road -
Danville, Kentucky 40422-9438
Donald S. Fortner, Pastor -Telephone 606-236-8235 - Email grace@mis.net