Lord, Have Mercy

A sermon for Quinquagesima, by Father Jerome Leckband.

Jesus’ disciples followed Him, witnessed His miracles, and heard His powerful teaching. Yet when He spoke of His suffering and death, they could not understand. Though they had physical sight, they were spiritually blind. Meanwhile, a blind beggar by the roadside saw clearly who Jesus truly was and cried out in faith, “Son of David, have mercy on me.”

Like the disciples, we are often tempted to want a Savior who fits our expectations—one who makes life easier, solves our problems, and confirms our own goodness. We measure God’s love by our circumstances and quietly doubt His goodness when suffering comes. But God’s greatest act of love is found not in comfort, but in the cross.

The Father delivered His Son to death for the salvation of sinners. What appeared to be weakness and defeat was God’s saving work for the world. In Christ crucified, God reveals a love that does not fail and a mercy that is sufficient for every sin.

The blind man’s prayer becomes our own: “Lord, have mercy.” It is the confession of faith that admits our need and trusts in Christ alone. By His Word and Spirit, God opens blind eyes, calls us to repentance, and fixes our hearts on Jesus, who was given for our sins and raised for our life.