Giving Evidence of Our Faith: Matthew 9:27-34

During one of the healing miracles that Jesus performed, we can find an interesting dialog that Jesus has with a couple of blind men. Matthew tells us in his gospel that these blind men found Jesus and were following Him crying out, “Have mercy on us, Son of David!” (v. 27)

Matthew doesn’t tell us how far Jesus traveled that day or at what point the blind men found Jesus, but when they ultimately came to the place they were going to stay the night, the blind men came up to Jesus to be healed. Jesus asked them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” (v. 28a)

They both responded, “Yes, Lord.” (v. 28b)

On one hand, the answer to this question should be obvious. These men had followed Jesus crying out for mercy from Him. This would mean that they knew He was capable of healing them, and it would seem that they were pretty persistent with their desire to be healed. When Jesus asked them if they believed He is capable of healing their sight, the counter question back to Jesus easily could have been, “If we didn’t believe this, why would we have followed You here?

But on the other hand, I think this miracle might have a lesson for the disciples attached to it. These men clearly demonstrated their belief through their actions. They had followed Jesus requesting help for miles, and it is only after the trip had finished that Jesus acknowledges their presence. I am sure Jesus was aware of their presence before arriving. These men may have even been disruptive in their attempts to get His attention. However, it is only after Jesus arrives at the house they were staying that He comes over to talk with them.

The big key I see in this passage that makes me think this was a teachable moment for the disciples comes with what Jesus says as He is touching their eyes. “Then He touched their eyes, saying, ‘It shall be done to you according to your faith.’” (v. 29)

The proof for the blind men’s faith had been demonstrated in what they had done leading up to this miracle, and the result of their conversation with Jesus and His touch blended with this faith to give the ultimate result: “And their eyes were opened.” (v. 30a)

Jesus attached the effectiveness of this miracle to the faith of the men making the request. While faith isn’t directly visible in every miracle Jesus performed, we can see that faith is a key ingredient in many of Jesus’ healing miracles.

One lesson Jesus may be teaching here is that faith that is strong enough for miracles will also be a faith that is visible to others. Hidden faith is not a powerful faith. Powerful faith gives evidence for its existence. The blind men didn’t care who knew they wanted Jesus’ help, they simply followed Jesus asking for help until Jesus was ready to acknowledge them. Their persistence proves their level of faith.