TEXT: MATTHEW 9:27-38 - 27 When Jesus departed from there, two blind men followed Him, crying out and saying, “Son of David, have mercy on us!” 28 And when He had come into the house, the blind men came to Him. And Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” They said to Him, “Yes, Lord.” 29 Then He touched their eyes, saying, “According to your faith let it be to you.” 30 And their eyes were opened. And Jesus sternly warned them, saying, “See that no one knows it.” 31 But when they had departed, they spread the news about Him in all that country. 32 As they went out, behold, they brought to Him a man, mute and demon-possessed. 33 And when the demon was cast out, the mute spoke. And the multitudes marveled, saying, “It was never seen like this in Israel!” 34 But the Pharisees said, “He casts out demons by the ruler of the demons.” 35 Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. 36 But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd. 37 Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. 38 Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.”
We started yesterday by viewing Matthew’s accounts of Jesus ministering to individuals. The healing of both soul and body. We saw three examples already, and we will ponder the final 3 today.
We start today with Jesus ministering to two blind men. The account of this starts with their request in verse 27. They cry out for Jesus to heal them. This is not a softly spoken request – they are passionate about His responding to them. So, Matthew gives us Jesus’ response, and it may seem a little different than what we might expect. Instead of just healing them, the Rabbi gives them a test in verse 28. He asks a question – “Do you believe?” (verse 28a). We would think that if they were calling out they did. However, He establishes that they truly did believe in Him – “Yes, we believe!” (verse 28b). He then touches their eyes and heals them (verses 29-30). Jesus then gives them a task - He instructs them to tell no one. But, with this miracle, they could not keep it quiet (verse 31), they, however, go out and tell many. When Jesus has blessed us – do we tell others?
The next one we come across is a demon-possessed mute. In summary
here, consider:
- · The helpless one (verse 32): This desperate man is brought to Jesus
- · The Holy One (verse 33)
- o The miracle: Jesus frees him
- o The marvel: The watching crowd is amazed!
But, as usual, there were those who were hostile (verse 34): Jesus is again blasphemed by the Pharisees!
This chapter concludes as we see many sick people healed throughout
Galilee. Matthew displays the Savior’s Compassion (verses 35-36): Jesus travels
through all the cities of that area, preaching and healing the multitudes. We
need to become aware of the multitudes around us that are in need of the
healing touch of Jesus – His forgiveness of sins. He always helped anyone that
He came in contact with. Do we do the same?
The Savior’s command to His disciples shows the great need for us to
be doing the work of God in our immediate areas. Summarizing this, consider:
- · The situation (verse 37): The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.
- · And the solution (verse 38): Pray that God will send forth laborers.
Two quick takeaways today –
- · Consider how many of these persons that Jesus healed body and soul were brought to Him by others
- · Praying for workers – God just may send you
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