The Healing Of Three Physically Challenged Persons

MATTHEW 9: 27-34 [THE MESSIAH REVEALED SERIES]

THE HEALING OF THREE PHYSICALLY CHALLENGED PERSONS

[Isaiah 35:5-26]

Following the account of the miracle within a miracle where Jesus takes time to heal a woman while on His way to raise a dead child, are Jesus' healing of three physically challenged persons. Jesus' power over sin, sickness, and demons would prove Him Messiah to some, to others His empowering would prove Him intolerable (CIT). The contrast between Jesus' authority and that of the Pharisees is so obvious that Jesus must be restrained lest the people proclaim Him Messiah.

Isaiah 35:5-26 prophesies of a time when God will open the eyes of the blind and unstop the ears of the deaf as signs of the coming redemption of the Messiah. Matthew's placing these two miracles together in quick succession says in effect that the day of Messianic deliverance has arrived.

I. THE BLIND RECEIVE SIGHT, 27-31.

II. THE MUTE’S TONGUE SET FREE, 32-33.

III. THE PHARISEES’ STRANGE REASONING, 34.

There was no respite for the Lord since His power over diseases was now generally known. Upon leaving the ruler of the synagogue’s house two blind men beginning following Him in verse 27. "As Jesus went on from there, two blind men followed Him, crying out, “Have mercy on us, Son of David"

As Jesus is walking away from the synagogue ruler's house, two blind men latch on to Him and continually yell out, 'have mercy on us.' Their insistent cry for mercy (elee) implies some prior sin kept them from being healed. Their request was for compassion, [not justice]. No grumbling against fate, no demanding of a just alleviation of an unmerited punishment; only for mercy do they beg. No matter what our circumstances, it is compassion that we all seek from God. [Whatever our wants and burdens are, all we need is the supply and support found in the mercy of our Lord Jesus. In Christ is enough for all.]

They cry out loudly addressing Jesus as the "Son of David." This is the first time the title is used in Matthew. It proclaims Jesus to be the long awaited descendant of David [heir to David's throne, Isa. 9:7]. There can be no doubt that the blind men were confessing Jesus as the Messiah [22:42, 15:22], the anointed One of God. One of the indicators of the Messiah is that He would give sight to the blind (Isa. 29:18, 35:5, 42:7) for God rules over blindness and sight (Ex 4:11; Prov 20:12; 2 Kings 6:18–20).

The testimony declared by the blind men bears clear witness that His works proved who He is, at least to those who are not blind. None are so blind though as those who will not see.

Blindness is a picture of spiritual ignorance and unbelief (Isa. 6:10; Mt. 15:14; Rom.11:25). The sinner must be born again before he can see the things of God (John 3:3). And the believer must be careful to grow spiritually or he will damage his spiritual vision (2 Peter 1:5-9).

Apparently, Jesus paid no attention to the repeated cries of the blind men, but walked on off. He would try their faith, so as to teach us to pray, and not to faint, though the answer does not come at once. In verse 28 these blind men follow Jesus right into the house. "When He entered the house, the blind men came up to Him, and Jesus said to them, "Do you believe that I am able to do this?" They said to Him, 'Yes, Lord.'

These blind men were persistent. They went right into the house where Jesus was staying. They knew Jesus could heal them, and they would let nothing stop them from finding Him. That's real faith in action. If you believe Jesus is the answer to your every need, don't let anything or anyone stop you from following Him or from reaching out to Him.

Jesus questions the faith of these two men, even though they had sought Him out and followed Him, pleading for mercy. The focus of His question is "do you believe that I am able to do this?" They responded that they believe Jesus had the power to heal them.

In response to their faith, Jesus took two actions. Both are encountered in verse 29. "Then He touched their eyes, saying, 'It shall be done to you according to your faith."

The declaration of the blind men's faith led directly to Jesus' touching and healing them. Jesus had not responded to the blind men's pleas and obvious serious need. He waited to see if they had faith which they illustrated by (1) their persistent following of Jesus, (2) their humility to His seeming rejection, and (3) their public profession of faith in Him. Not every one who says he wants help wants to commit themselves to the seeking of available help. They want help to seek them out and respond to them on their terms. God expects us to humbly respond to Him on His terms.