In this hopeless situation Jesus brings sight to two blind men who cry to Him for mercy. Jesus did not deal with the men until He had come to His destination in a home, perhaps the home where He stayed when in Capernaum. Matthew is the only Gospel writer to record this event; it is not the same story as the healing of two blind men in Matt. 20 as Jesus was on His way to Jerusalem for Passover and His crucifixion.
We again have a wonderful illustration of our salvation. Jesus asks the men if they believe that He is able to give them sight. Their affirmative answer brings about His words: According to your faith let it be to you. Blindness is what characterizes us before we come to Christ (2 Cor. 4:3-4). Jesus brings us into the light when we believe in Him. The miracle is a picture of salvation and a sign that Jesus is able to bring us into a relationship with the Father. The problem with the miracles is that it is too easy for people who observe these events to get wrapped up in the miracle itself rather than the Truth to which the miracle points. That is, we believe, the reason Jesus seeks to keep it silent, a request that the men are unable to obey.
Ø From
mute to speaking, 9:32-34.
It appears that, as the two men who received their sight leave the house, another man is brought in. His problem is that he cannot speak and that the reason is that he has a demon. Again, this is a hopeless situation. Thus, it is no surprise that the people marvel at Jesus’ works. It was never seen like this in Israel! The picture of our salvation is strong: the problem is the one who has the power of death, Satan. The solution is the One who has made a public spectacle of Satan in His resurrection (Col. 2:13-15). At the same time, as the people marvel, the Pharisees, who see their power and popularity waning, have come up with an answer to Jesus’ miracles that is not what God intended. They have not concluded that Jesus is God come in the flesh. Rather, they have concluded Jesus’ power is from Satan, a charge Jesus will confront in a couple of chapters in Matthew.
To be in Christ is to be a new creation. This has been powerfully illustrated in the series of signs performed by Jesus. Let us rejoice in the power of the cross and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Hymn by John Newton...
In evil long I took delight, Unawed by shame
or fear,
Till a new object struck my sight, And
stopped my wild career.
I saw One hanging on a tree, In agony and
blood;
He fixed His loving eyes on me, As near His
cross I stood.
How can it be, upon a tree The Savior died
for me?
My soul is thrilled, my heart is filled, To
think He died for me.
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