Daily Devotions
Matthew
Just One Simple Question
Text: Matthew 9 : 27- 31
What did Jesus require of the two blind men before He healed them? It seemed as if He asked for the most basic of things! He asked them if they truly believed that He was able to heal them. Their part was to reply in the affirmative! That was all!
Was it not such a simple thing? How was it then that the learned scribes and the self-righteous Pharisees could not come to faith in Jesus after all they had heard and seen? To all who possessed genuine faith, the Lord gives to them faith’s just reward.
“Then He touched their eyes, saying,
‘According to your faith let it be to you’ ”
Matthew 9:29
“Then He touched their eyes…”
How wonderfully Jesus communicated with people! He knew exactly what He must do. He did not need to touch their eyes in order to heal. But He did. He communicated with the blind in a language that perhaps only the blind understood better than anybody else. The “language” of the blind involved the human touch!
“According to your faith let it be to you…”
How gracious these words must have sounded to the ears of the blind men. They had begun with the word “mercy”. They felt that this was the only appropriate word to employ as they spoke to Jesus! Who were they that they could demand anything from the Lord, the Son of David?
His reply was precious and wonderful. He did not use the word “mercy” in His reply. He did not make them feel that He was condescending to them. How gracious this Messiah was to speak in this manner.
Graciously, He spoke to them about how delighted He was that they had faith in Him. But surely “faith” in Him was the most natural thing to have! Nevertheless, this Lord spoke to them and commended them for the faith they possessed.
What was their faith able to do? Their faith was able to believe that Jesus was truly able to do as they had requested! They believed that Jesus could restore their sight! What a wonderful gift sight was!
THE GIFT OF SIGHT
As Jesus touched them, so the gift of sight was bestowed upon them immediately.
“And their eyes were opened.”
Matthew 9:30
What feelings of gratitude and joy must have filled their hearts as they received their sight that very moment! They could see! What a reward they received because of their faith in Jesus! How glad they were that they had found faith in the Son of David.
A SPECIALLY WORDED COMMAND
What a great communicator Jesus was! Let us ponder over the words that He said to the two blind men.
“And Jesus sternly warned them, saying,
‘See that no one knows it'”
Matthew 9:30
“And Jesus sternly warned them…”
The phrase “sternly warned” was not something that Matthew used lightly. This phrase translates a word in the Greek text that suggests an element of firmness, even “harshness”. In extra-Biblical literature this word (embrimaomai) was used to express “anger” or “a severe and stern” approach. The idea behind the use of this word was obvious! Jesus did not want the blind men to tell anyone that He had healed them!
“See that no one knows it…”
The word “see” was used purposefully. Jesus did not have to actually use the word “see” as part of His instruction to them. However the word “see” was used for good reason. They could now actually see – literally. They were now to see to it that no one knew about this miracle granted to them. The word “see” in the second context was a figure of speech. What a beautiful use of the literal and figurative language!
On the one hand there was that sternness of demeanour with reference to the instruction. On the other hand, the display of literary beauty employing the word “see” communicated a special sense of tenderness.
SADLY, ANOTHER ACT OF DISOBEDIENCE
Jesus had instructed the leper not to speak about his healing. He failed to obey the Lord there. This time round, there was a measure of sternness in the command given to the two blind men not to speak about how they were healed! How did they respond?
“But when they had departed, they spread the
news about Him in all that country.”
Matthew 9:31
Once again, we see another act of disobedience! Why was there this disobedience, despite strict orders? Were not the instructions clear? Did He not use the imperative to speak to them?
1. Lack of Depth of Comprehension
We are forced to conclude that those who were healed, though they had genuine faith, they lacked the depth of comprehension of the ministry of the Messiah! They could not understand the emphasis on things spiritual and eternal that Jesus desired.
2. The strong human impulse
We are confronted with the strength of “human impulse”. This can override even the strictest orders – unfortunately. These acts of disobedience complicated Jesus’ ministry.