Imagine hiking over 15 miles through a rocky, desert terrain. The road is winding, dangerous, and at times steep. So steep that you will climb a half-mile in elevation before you arrive. You have little access to shade, and you must complete this journey entirely on foot. Imagine having to hike while thinking about the fact that death waits to greet you at the end of your grueling journey.
This is exactly what Jesus did during his journey from Jericho to Bethany. When Jesus traveled towards Bethany, a Jerusalem suburb, he traveled closer to the place where he would be horrifically crucified. He even knew the details, telling his disciples he would be tried, crucified, and raised back to life.
Knowing all this, Jesus still willingly journeyed closer to Jerusalem and performed miracles along the way.
As Jesus and the disciples were departing Jericho, a crowd formed seeking Jesus. This had become a common theme throughout Jesus’ ministry. Crowds were always gathering to hear Jesus teach, be healed by him, or simply to see who the man was that everyone had been talking about.
Matthew 20:30 says, “Two blind men were sitting by the roadside, and when they heard that Jesus was going by, they shouted, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!”
When the crowd heard the blind men calling for Jesus, they mocked the men. Despite the crowd’s ridicule, Jesus asked the men what they wanted to which they responded that they wanted to be able to see.
Matthew 20:34 says, “Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight.”
Jesus’ final days were busy, and he had a treacherous journey ahead of him to reach Bethany. Yet, Jesus stopped to perform miracles and had compassion on people as he journeyed towards Jerusalem to perform the ultimate act of compassion – his death on the cross.
Jesus’ miracle on the road to Bethany reminds us that Christians have always been called to serve others rather than be served, even amid busyness or trials. Regardless of where we are going or the circumstances of our journey, like Jesus, we are called to show compassion to those in need.
