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11. Two Blind Men and a Dumb Man Healed (Matthew 9:27-34)
MATTHEW 9:27-31
27 As Jesus passed by from there, two blind men followed him, calling out and saying, “Have mercy on us, son of David!” 28 When he had come into the house, the blind men came to him. Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” They told him, “Yes, Lord.” 29 Then he touched their eyes, saying, “According to your faith be it done to you.” 30 Their eyes were opened. Jesus strictly commanded them, saying, “See that no one knows about this.” 31 But they went out and spread abroad his fame in all that land. (Matthew 8:4; 20:30; Acts 14:9)
The promise made to David, that of his loins the Messiah should come, was well known, and the Messiah was therefore commonly called, “the Son of David.” At the time of Jesus there was a general expectation of His appearing. These two blind men knew and proclaimed in the streets of Capernaum that He is already come and that Jesus is He, which aggravates the folly and sin of the chief priests and Pharisees who denied and opposed Him. Those two blind men could not see Him and His miracles, but by faith they saw more than people with sight!
Christ lived among the Jews, but only few of them recognized He was the Messiah, for the majority waited for a political Savior. Therefore, they remained blind despite their open eyes and thoughtful minds. Today, many pious people and scholars think they know Jesus, yet they do not perceive His holy reality. They do not recognize the spirit that gives peace in their hearts. However, the two blind men believed that Jesus was the descendant of Abraham, and that He was the divine king promised of in the Old Testament (2 Samuel 7:12-14). They cried out openly begging Him to heal them, but Christ did not immediately respond, for He would test their faith. They passed this test, followed Jesus and kept close to Him until they reached Peter’s house insisting on their petition. Then Christ honored their zeal by confirming their faith by His power. He asked them if they truly believed that He was able to do such a unique deed, and they answered, “yes.” Do we share with them today their belief and decide that Jesus is HE who is able to heal and save, and do we direct our petitions to Him, frankly and plainly in spite of the opposition around us?
After their confession of faith, Christ touched their eyes with His hand, and they felt His love and healing power. They saw Him first. The sight of Him had a deep impression in their hearts. They recognized in Him the almighty Savior and King, and their faith resulted in a truly spiritual insight.
It is strange that Jesus prevented them from spreading the news about their cure, but He did not want people to come after Him because of the miracles. His purpose was to create in His followers faith that is based on repentance first, that their hearts may be changed, their minds renewed, and that they may become free from spiritual blindness and walk consciously in the light of God. Did the love of Jesus make you receive your spiritual sight? Or you are still living far away from Him, blind in the darkness of sins and without salvation?
PRAYER: We thank you, Heavenly Father, for opening our eyes by grace to see You and love You. We became your children by faith, so please let us continue in Your love to recognize Your glory and fall down before the throne of Your grace praying for our neighbors and friends, that You may reach out to heal them too and open their eyes and their hearts that they may see You and experience Your mercy and love.
QUESTION:
- What is the secret in the healing of the two blind men?