ACCORDING TO YOUR FAITH

"And when Jesus departed thence, two blind men followed Him, crying, and saying, Thou Son of David, have mercy on us.  And when He was come into the house, the blind men came to Him: and Jesus saith unto them, Believe ye that I am able to do this? They said unto Him, Yea, Lord.  Then touched He their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you.  And their eyes were opened; and Jesus straitly charged them, saying, See that no man know it.  But they, when they were departed, spread abroad His fame in all that country." (Matthew 9:27-31).

                                           

This simple story from the gospel of Matthew reveals some profound truths about faith.  Yes, it is the record of a notable miracle that our Lord performed on two blind men centuries ago, but it also teaches us principles which will enable miracles to take place in our lives today. 

 

The two men in this story were blind.  Their need was more apparent than those who followed Jesus and were physically whole.  Many of those who followed had even greater needs which Jesus could heal, but they were too blind (though they had sight) to their own sin and hypocrisy, and therefore would not bring those needs to the Lord.  There are only two types of people in this world: those who know they are blind and would do anything to see; and those who are blind but have convinced themselves that they can see even though they are constantly stumbling around in the dark.  Jesus said to the Pharisees, "For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind." (John 9:39).  Even we, who have seen the light, are yet blind to many things that have not been revealed to us; but as we acknowledge our blindness, and desire to walk in the light, we will grow more and more in our understanding, and in our purity. 

 

"But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day." (Proverbs 4:18).  It is like when one has been asleep in a very dark room, and someone turns on a bright light.  At first, it is blinding and uncomfortable because of its intensity, and we would rather it be turned off altogether.  If, on the other hand, there is a dimmer switch installed, and the light is only turned on very low, the eyes can quickly adapt to the small amount of light.  Then, by degrees, the dimmer can be turned up until the light is full.  In this way the light is easy to endure a little at a time.  This is how we grow as Christians into the fullness of our Lord and Savior.  As Isaiah said,  "Whom shall He teach knowledge? and whom shall He make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts.  For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little." (Isaiah 28:9,10).  If at any point we refuse to walk in the light that we have been given, then we become hypocrites like the Pharisees: outwardly religious, but inwardly harboring sin. 

 

The two blind men had heard of Jesus' works, and that was what drew them to Him.  They believed that His favor could change their lives forever.  They cried out, "Thou Son of David, have mercy on us!"  Jesus then asked them directly, "Believe ye that I am able to do this?"  Our faith is the one thing that makes all the difference in what God is willing to do in our lives.  Without it, it is impossible to please Him (Hebrews 11:6).  We cannot be saved without it, we cannot be delivered without it, and we cannot be healed without it.  It is the victory that overcomes the world (1 John 5:4).  So, the question that Jesus posed to these blind men was vital to what would or could take place next. 

 

The same is true of us today.  Do you believe that Jesus is able to do what you are seeking Him for?  If you are struggling with sin or temptation, do you believe that He can give you power to overcome sin and become your righteousness?  If you are in financial need, sick, depressed, lonely, or in grief; do you believe that in Christ you can find all that you are seeking?  Our answer to these questions should be as simple and deliberate as that of the blind men.  They just said, "Yes, Lord."  The formula isn't complex.  Hear, believe, and receive.  These men heard of Jesus' fame, and what He had done for others; they believed that He could do the same for them, and so they sought Him.  Because of their faith, they received what they were asking of Him.  

 

Jesus then said to them, "According to your faith be it unto you," and He touched their eyes and they were opened.  Our faith in Christ the Son of God is the key that opens every door for us spiritually.  Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God, however.  We will be disappointed as Christians if we think we can just believe God will do anything we imagine or ask for.  In that case, we are commanding God to follow what we want instead of seeking for what He wants, and then following Him.  We must first seek Him, and allow Him to speak His Word to our hearts.  Once we have a clear word or indication of His intent, we have something to place our faith in, and He can then work.  I know a Christian brother who believed firmly that God would turn water into wine for a communion service that he was officiating.  He was very excited and announced to the congregation what he believed God was about to do.  He told the ushers to fill a vessel with water and they commenced with the service.  To everyone's disappointment, the water remained water, and God was not glorified.  This brother learned some humility that night, and the valuable lesson that faith comes by hearing, not doing what we've imagined but God has not spoken.  Jesus told a group of people who wanted to do the works of God, that God's work was to believe on the One Whom God had sent. (John 6:28, 29).       

 

Even though Jesus told them to keep their healing to themselves because He wanted men to be drawn to Him more for His words than His miracles, these two men (formerly known as the blind men) went everywhere telling folks what Jesus had done for them.  This is the type of enthusiasm that every Christian should have for their Lord.  After all, the greatest miracle of all is to be born again of the Spirit, and to be redeemed from all our sins.  Our testimony is very powerful.  It is the very thing that will bring other "blind" men and women to the Savior of their souls.