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All who come to church should come not to keep up an ancient form, do a duty, discharge an obligation, but to meet with Christ. And we do meet with Him (Matthew 18:20). And He asks of each the question in the text. Three classes of replies.

1. The reply of some is, "Let us alone — leave us." Diogenes wished Alexander, as the greatest favour he could bestow, to "stand out of my sunshine." Christ stands between some men and what they imagine to be sunshine.

(1) How ungrateful is such a reply. What pain and grief it must give Him who died to save us.

(2) How mad it is. If we could succeed we should have destroyed our only hope — broken the only bridge by which we might return.

2. The reply of others is, "Lull our consciences to rest." They want ease, but not holiness, pardon without change of heart.

(1) How vain is such a search. Christ's offers are always coupled with requirements ( Matthew 11:28-30; Matthew 5:8).

(2) How utterly worthless it would be. It would be a sham, and we should know it and despise

3. The reply of others is, "Cleanse, purify, renew us." Like this man they ask for sight. Like the leper they ask to be made clean. They cry in their doubts and fears, "I believe; help Thou mine unbelief." And such never come in vain. Christ meets with them, and though they touch but the hem of His garment, grants, their requests (Luke 4:18).

(J. Ogle.)

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KJV: And it came to pass, that as he was come nigh unto Jericho, a certain blind man sat by the way side begging:

WEB: It happened, as he came near Jericho, a certain blind man sat by the road, begging.