Matthew 9:27-34

Rachel Workman: 27 After Jesus left the girl’s home, two blind men followed along behind him, shouting, “Son of David, have mercy on us!”

28 They went right into the house where he was staying, and Jesus asked them, “Do you believe I can make you see?”

“Yes, Lord,” they told him, “we do.”

29 Then he touched their eyes and said, “Because of your faith, it will happen.” 30 Then their eyes were opened, and they could see! Jesus sternly warned them, “Don’t tell anyone about this.” 31 But instead, they went out and spread his fame all over the region.

32 When they left, a demon-possessed man who couldn’t speak was brought to Jesus. 33 So Jesus cast out the demon, and then the man began to speak. The crowds were amazed. “Nothing like this has ever happened in Israel!” they exclaimed.

34 But the Pharisees said, “He can cast out demons because he is empowered by the prince of demons.”

Once again I see that Jesus heals instantly, And I see the power of faith. Faith is what heals us. Faith is what allows us to be saved from being the sinful humans we are.

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John Burnett:  ²⁷ As Jesus went on from there, two blind men followed Him, crying out, “Have mercy on us, Son of David!” ²⁸ 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.” ²⁹ Then He touched their eyes, saying, “^[a]It shall be done to you according to your faith.” ³⁰ And their eyes were opened. And Jesus sternly warned them: “See that no one knows about this!” ³¹ But they went out and spread the news about Him throughout all that land.  Jesus healed these blind men because of their faith.  He asked them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?”, and when they responded “Yes, Lord.” , he healed them.  He saves us by the same process.  The Holy Spirit calls us and ask, “Do you believe that Jesus’s death and resurrection are sufficient to pay for your sins.”  When we answer “yes”, repent of our sins and put our trust in the gospel He heals us as well.

³² As they were going out, a mute, demon-possessed man ^[b]was brought to Him. ³³ After the demon was cast out, the mute man spoke; and the crowds were amazed, and were saying, “Nothing like this has ^[c]ever been seen in Israel.” ³⁴ But the Pharisees were saying, “He casts out the demons by the ruler of the demons.”  It takes one to know one, but they didn’t have a clue as to who Jesus was and what He came to earth to do.

http://www.shepherdsconference.org/  is a link to a conference that is going on in California at John MacArthur’s church.  Jesus had to be perfect in order to be the sacrifice for our sins.  John 1:1 calls Jesus the Word so his Word is flawless as well.  In the spiritual battle that we are in, it is crucial that we understand the inerrancy of God’s Word.  That is what this conference is about.  I will be watching this conference and hope that you will join me in celebrating the inerrancy of scripture and the hope that we have in the gospel.

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Allen Michaels:  ²⁷ As Jesus went on from there, two blind men followed him, calling out, “Have mercy on us, Son of David!”

²⁸ When he had gone indoors, the blind men came to him, and he asked them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?”

“Yes, Lord,” they replied.

²⁹ Then he touched their eyes and said, “According to your faith let it be done to you”; ³⁰ and their sight was restored. Jesus warned them sternly, “See that no one knows about this.”

Are there any blind-spots in your life that keep you from recognizing God's power and mercy? Faith opens the way for us to see the power of God’s kingdom and to experience his healing presence in our lives. The word mercy literally means "sorrowful at heart".  But mercy is something more than compassion, or heartfelt sorrow at another's misfortune. Compassion empathizes with the sufferer.  But mercy goes further; it removes suffering.  A merciful person shares in another's misfortune and suffering as if it were his own. In Jesus we see the fullness of God's mercy and the power of his kingdom -- power to save from death and destruction, to forgive sins and lift the burden of guilt, and to heal infirmities and release the oppressed. Jesus never refused to bring God's mercy to those who earnestly sought it.

How can we seek and obtain God's mercy?  God gives mercy to the lowly in heart -- to those who recognize their need for God and for his forgiveness and healing power.  Faith is a gift freely given by God to help us know God personally, to understand his truth, and to live in the power of his love.  For faith to be effective it must be linked with trust and obedience -- an active submission to God and a willingness to do whatever he commands.  When two blind men approached Jesus, he questioned their earnestness in order to test and strengthen them in faith and trust in his power.  Their faith grew as they responded to his word with confident hope. He restored their sight -- both physically and spiritually to the reality of his kingdom. The Lord Jesus wants us to live in the confident expectation that he will fulfill his promises to us and bring us into the fullness of his kingdom -- a kingdom of  righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit (Romans 14:17). Do you know the peace and joy of God's kingdom?

"Lord, help me to draw near to you with confidence and trust in your saving power and mercy. Free me from doubt and unbelief that I may approach you confidently and pray boldly with expectant faith. Let your kingdom come and may your will be done in me."

³¹ But they went out and spread the news about him all over that region. ³² While they were going out, a man who was demon-possessed and could not talk was brought to Jesus. ³³ And when the demon was driven out, the man who had been mute spoke. The crowd was amazed and said, “Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel.”

³⁴ But the Pharisees said, “It is by the prince of demons that he drives out demons.”

Are you adequately protected from spiritual danger and evil? Jesus’ numerous exorcisms brought freedom to many who were troubled and oppressed by the works of evil spirits. Jesus himself encountered personal opposition and battle with Satan when he was put to the test in the wilderness just before his public ministry. He overcame the evil one through his obedience to the will of his Father. Whenever people approached Jesus with expectant faith, he gave them freedom from the power of sin and from the forces of evil and darkness.