Matthew 9:27-31 27And as Jesus went on from there, two blind men followed him, crying out and saying, “Have mercy on us, Son of David.” 28When he entered 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.” 29Then he touched their eyes, saying, “According to your faith let it be done for you.” 30And their eyes were opened. And Jesus sternly warned them, saying, “See, let no one know.” 31But when they went away, they spread the report about him through all that region.
Matthew recounts another story of desperate faith and the response of Jesus’ healing touch. The key word “follow” is used again. The motive of those who follow Jesus is revealed by their faith in him. These two blind men needed a miracle. How could a person who cannot see still follow Jesus? It is only with the eyes of faith. Obviously, they were adept at getting around and somehow found their way even into the house. We can imagine the at least the twelve disciples and likely many other people crowded around Jesus, requiring these two blind men to push their way through until they could get to Jesus. Those who are desperate will find Jesus. These men let Jesus (and everyone around) their goal: they wanted to receive mercy. They did not say in what way they needed mercy, but the implication is clear. Mercy was often experienced in Jesus’ ministry in the form of healing. They also recognized Jesus’ authority as the Son of David, a circumlocution for “Messiah.”
Jesus responded to their desperation with a question that offered them the opportunity to express their need and faith, which were only implied in their cry. Jesus knew what they needed without them having to explain it. Desperate people cannot always explain their needs. Like in the previous stories, Jesus touches these men in a way that confirms the words he spoke. What opened the door to this healing was their faith. According to your faith shows the optimism we too can have as we seek healing from Jesus. Matthew invites his readers to put their faith in Jesus just like these blind men.
The surprise in the story is Jesus stern warning to them not to tell anyone. Ironically, he uses the word see, since now they can see what they are doing. Why would he want them to keep quiet? This miracle was too overwhelming to keep quiet about, so they disobeyed this warning in the celebration. Jesus wanted people to come to him in the deep faith of these men and the others mentioned in this chapter, not out of curiosity or pride. We must put our hope in Jesus as the Messiah who brings salvation and not simply the one who can give us what we want.
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