Faith as the Means of Grace; Luke 18:35-43

Delivered during the Sunday Morning Worship Service, 12/29/2024. Jesus and His disciples make their last stop on the way to Jerusalem and the Cross in the ancient town of Jericho. There He meets a blind beggar who cries out for mercy from the "Son of David" as He passes by. The crowd traveling with Jesus tries to silence him but Jesus stops and compassionately restores the man's sight. But as He works this miracle, Jesus says to the man, "Your faith has made you well." We will search the story for the indications of this faith and why it is sufficient not only to have his physical eyes opened, but the spiritual eyes of his soul as well. And then we will discuss what Jesus is and is not saying concerning the part faith plays in salvation. We will analyze this in the context of the other elements of redemption we have been discussing in this section of Luke's Gospel. We will realize that such faith is a gift and the vehicle through which God applies the grace made possible by the Crosswork of Christ. Ultimately we will find that faith is the means of grace, and therefore absolutely necessary for salvation.