Matthew: Healing in His PresenceSample

Healing the Blind Men

Have you ever been deep in an underground cave? If you have, your guide may have made everyone turn off the lights just for a minute to experience true darkness. It's a strange feeling. You can't even see your hand in front of you. It's just the tiniest glimpse into what it may feel like to be blind.

Today's story happens just after the healings of Jairus' daughter and the bleeding woman. Two blind guys had probably heard all the commotion of what Jesus just did to heal these women. Imagine them hearing people walking around them talking about what had just happened. Then they hear Jesus is nearby and start following Him. They wanted their miracle too so they loudly cry out for His mercy on them. They are relentless, following Jesus inside coming up to Him and crying out, "Have mercy on us, Son of David."

Look what He says to them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” And their reply shows their belief. “Yes, Lord.” Jesus answered by touching their eyes and saying, “According to your faith will it be done.”

In this instance, their healing is dependent on their faith. If they really don't believe it will happen or are just saying what they hope Jesus wants to hear, then they will most likely walk away as two blind men, just as they came. However, they obviously have faith because immediately, they can see.

Jesus tells them to not say anything, but they don't listen to Him. They were too excited - they could see! Can you blame them? The sight of them running and seeing their surroundings was a testimony in itself. These two went out and spread the news about Jesus all over that region. They couldn't keep their miracle a secret!

Questions:

1. When Jesus asked the blind men if they believed He could heal them, it forced them to put their faith into words. How would you answer if Jesus asked you that same question about the situation you’re facing right now?

2. These men couldn’t see Jesus, but they trusted what they had heard about Him and followed anyway. In what ways do you need to trust Jesus beyond what you can “see” today?

3. The blind men couldn’t keep their miracle to themselves. How has Jesus worked in your life in ways that are too good to stay quiet about?