The Son of Man Must Die? – Luke 18:31-43

If you had been told on January 1, 2020, that there would be a world-wide pandemic  in the next couple of months that would take the lives of over a half million Americans and result in great damage to our job market and lead to millions surviving on food bank giveaways and government handouts, would you have been able to process that?  We can see now how it happened, but, like the disciples of Jesus, we didn’t really have a category for thinking about this prior to the actual event.

And taking the twelve, he said to them, “See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written about the Son of Man by the prophets will be accomplished. For he will be delivered over to the Gentiles and will be mocked and shamefully treated and spit upon. And after flogging him, they will kill him, and on the third day he will rise.” But they understood none of these things. This saying was hidden from them, and they did not grasp what was said.

As he drew near to Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging. And hearing a crowd going by, he inquired what this meant. They told him, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.” And he cried out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” 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!” And Jesus stopped and commanded him to be brought to him. And when he came near, he asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?” He said, “Lord, let me recover my sight.” And Jesus said to him, “Recover your sight; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he recovered his sight and followed him, glorifying God. And all the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God.  (Luke 18:31-43 ESV)

“Son of man” means “human,” but when Jesus says the prophets have written about the Son of Man being killed and raised from the dead, that phrase takes on special significance.  A son of man is mentioned in Daniel 7 who is given authority by the Ancient of Days and rules over all kingdoms on earth and is worshiped.  Even saying this Son of Man is the Messiah is not enough because Yahweh encourages worshiping him.  But of course the disciples cannot grasp that being mistreated and killed could happen to this great person of prophecy.

Jesus’ band of disciples is traveling up to Jerusalem from the Jordan River area on the Jericho road  towards the fulfillment of this prophecy.  They are accosted by a blind beggar who describes Jesus as the Son of David, a clear Messianic title.  Jesus does not assume he knows what the man wants but asks him first, then heals him.  Jesus is going towards his death, but he is still reaching out in compassion and power to those in need who believe in him.