My Corner Online
Reading through the Gospels #91
JESUS HEALS THE BLIND AND MUTE
Matthew 9:27-31
Two blind men followed Jesus shouting "Have mercy on us, Son of David!" Calling Him "Son of David" was a reference to the Old Testament that Jesus would descend from David. I wonder how long and how far they followed Jesus because it seemed that He was ignoring their pleas. Was Jesus testing their faith to see if they would keep asking? Does God ever test my faith by being slow to answer my pleas? How far and how long will my faith remain persistent? The men asked God for mercy, and not for "healing," allowing Jesus to answer in a way that He knows best. This prayer honored Christ. This is a great reminder that prayers can be simple and do not need to be specific in want, to just trust that Jesus knows best. Hey self, do not overthink it! Also, there were two men asking Jesus and this makes me think of "where two or more are gathered" in Matthew 18:20. Praying together brings strength to be persistent.
Jesus entered the house (what house? a house where he stayed?) and the blind men came up to him, but it was Jesus who spoke asking if they believed He could heal them. The blind men said "Yes, Lord." Jesus touched their eyes acknowledging that "according to your faith be it done to you." Only their faith healed them. They did not have to prove any other worthiness to Jesus. This does not mean faith guarantees healing because it may not be what Jesus knows best.
Their eyes were opened and Jesus warned them not to tell anyone, but they went away and spread Jesus's fame anyway. Jesus was famous, but did not want to be famous; He just loved His people and healed them. Also, spreading the news of his miracles might hasten those wanting to kill Him and the time was not right.
Isaiah 29:18, a prophecy fulfilled, "In that day the deaf shall hear the words of a book, and out of their gloom and darkness the eyes of the blind shall see."
Isaiah 35:5, a prophecy fulfilled, "Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped;"
Isaiah 42:7, a prophecy fulfilled, "to open the eyes that are blind.."