Matthew 9 - Part 5

 

Read Matthew 9

The story of faith and healing continue in this next section.  Jesus left the synagogue leader’s home or perhaps the synagogue itself, and was followed by two blind men.  Surely, they had some help.  A blind man following Jesus would be a feat unto itself.

They addressed Jesus in the same manner that we note from the blind son of Timaeus from Mark’s gospel.

“Have mercy on us, Son of David!”

Jesus asked them if they believed that he could grant their desire.  Do you think that I can give you your sight?

There was no discussion.  Their answer was yes.  They could have been faking it, just hoping for the best, but we see their faith was genuine in the answer of Jesus and the resulting healing.

Then he touched their eyes and said, “According to your faith let it be done to you”; and their sight was restored

Your healing will be in accordance with your faith.  Wow!  Giving a blind man sight was a miracle.  Having the faith to believe that Jesus could do what they asked of him was exemplary. 

Jesus told these two men not to tell anyone.  Their faith was much greater than their obedience.  They told everyone.

Next a demon possessed man who could not speak was brought to Jesus.  Jesus cast out the demon and the man spoke.  The people were amazed.

The hypocrites had to get their excuses in order.

But the Pharisees said, “It is by the prince of demons that he drives out demons.”

The people were witnesses to miracles and believed that Jesus is more than a teacher or a prophet.  Could he be the promised Messiah?

The Pharisees were on the defensive.  Over time, they would devise a plan to be rid of this trouble-maker soon enough, but for now, the best they can do is say that Jesus is playing for the other team.  That argument never seemed to gain traction among those who witnessed his miracles.

The people knew that nothing like this had ever been seen in all of Israel.  This Jesus was something more.

Amen.