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This is the last in a series of four accounts dealing with the place of faith in the program of Christ. This account is recorded only in the Gospel of Matthew. Jesus and His Disciples were returning from the home of Jairus to where He was staying at Capernaum. Indications are that the blind men had been following the group for some time, as beggars did in those days, with continued pleas. They cried out in a loud voice, "Have mercy on us thou Son of David." Here we have a great lesson on perseverance. Jesus could have honored their pleas at their first request but He choose rather to test their faith and fortitude. God does not always answer or prayers immediately, but in His own time He brings about that which is best for us.
Notice what they call Him. "Son of David." The promise was made to David that "of his loins" would come the Messiah. A promise that was well known in those days. Historians say that it was a time of general expectation of His coming. Thirty some years before, the shepherds had been told that He had come. When Jesus was 18 months old, Simeon declared that he had seen the "Lords salvation" just like it had been promised to him, before he died. At the same time, Anna, a Prophetess, gave thanks to God and declared to all who were looking for the "redemption" of Israel, that He had come. More recently, John the Baptist proclaimed His coming and many others had witnessed His miracles and declared Him to be a man of God. So it was no wonder that those who were looking for His coming were aware that He had come.
And so it was with these two blind men. They followed Him through the streets of Capernaum proclaiming Him to be the "Son of David". I like what Matthew Henry has to say about the "God given" knowledge of these two men. "They, who by the Providence of God, are deprived of bodily sight, may yet, by the Grace of God, have the eyes of their understanding so enlightened as to rightly discern those great things of God which are hid from the "wise and prudent".
Notice what they request. The do not ask for healing but rather for mercy and grace. Whatever our burdens, we need only His Grace, it is sufficient for all our needs, whether for healing or for support. Notice they did not each seek mercy for themselves but sought jointly for mercy sufficient for both of their needs.
Again we must notice the "order of things". They did not have faith because Jesus had healed them, but rather, they were healed because they had faith. Notice the question that Jesus asks them. "Do you believe that I am able to do this?" It was obvious that they either believed that He could heal them or that He could give them strength enough to bear their burden. Either was mercy enough.
When Jesus asked if they believed that He was able to heal them, they answered, "Yes Lord." No ifs ands or buts about it. There is a beautiful song written and titled, "He touched me and made me whole", and that's exactly what Jesus did, He touched their eyes and said, "According to your faith, let it be done to you." Isn't that a great challenge? What great doors does this open for people of faith. We shall receive according to our faith. It is, however, a great comfort to know that this requires only the faith of a grain of mustard seed, the smallest seed in the world.
Then Jesus sends the men away and charges them to tell no one, but could such a miracle be hid very long? Who could remain quiet if they had been given back their sight? Sight and understanding are two precious gifts of God, those of us to whom this had been given can hardly remain quiet. But Jesus tried, notice He did not heal them in downtown Capernaum, He waited until He got to the place where He was staying, away from the crowds, however, we see that the men could not contain their enthusiasm and His fame spread abroad.
The second portion of this lesson deals with the healing of a man possessed with a Demon. Notice his friends bring him to Jesus. Jesus healed not only those of great faith but also those who had friends of great faith. This man was so possessed that he could not speak. Christ cast the Demon out of the man and he began to speak. He always removes the "cause" of the affliction first. And again the multitudes hearing of this, marveled. Each succeeding miracle brought increased admiration from the common people and increased enmity from the Pharisees who, again, attributed His power to the Devil.
Surly we can see in these two accounts, the place of faith in the program of Christ, faith sufficient for our needs and the needs of our friends.
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