“Son of David, have pity on us!” (Matthew 9:27)
According to conventional wisdom, men don’t like to ask for directions. It’s somehow seen as a sign of weakness. A man should be able to find his way, know where he is going, and be independent enough not to ask for help. But what happens when a man is in a desperate situation, and he absolutely must get help? If he’s smart, he’ll ask!
These two men were obviously desperate enough to cry out to Jesus. What else would move them to make so much noise—only to attract the attention of a carpenter’s son? They probably didn’t have much to lose at this point, and they just might get something really good out of their ruckus.
But notice that, in their desperation, there was also a degree of faith. When they called out to Jesus, they didn’t just say: “Hey, you!” They said: “Son of David, have pity on us!” (Matthew 9:27). Somehow, they sensed that there was something special about Jesus, that he was from God. So not only did they know how much they needed help, they believed that Jesus could actually help them. And they were not disappointed!
It’s interesting to see that these men identified Jesus as the “Son of David.” They called out to him using a title that was filled with meaning in their Jewish faith. God had promised King David that one day a descendant of his would rise up to rule Israel on a throne that would “endure forever” before him (2 Samuel 7:12-16). Drawing from these words, priests and prophets began to speak of a Messiah who would come at the time of fulfillment to bring Israel into a new era of peace and prosperity. They began to look for a new ruler who would be God’s instrument of healing, deliverance, and hope for the people.
Isn’t that amazing? In their desperation for healing, these two blind men spoke words of prophetic fulfillment. Jesus is the true Son of David. He has come to heal and restore us. He has established a kingdom that cannot be shaken. He rules from a throne that will never falter. This is our Messiah, the answer to all our longings. Let’s welcome him today—crying out in faith and surrender.
“Come into my heart, Lord Jesus. Son of David, have pity on me!”
Isaiah 29:17-24; Psalm 27:1, 4, 13-14