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Jesus Heals
27As Jesus was leaving that place, two blind men began following him and shouting, “Son of David, have pity on us!”
28After Jesus had gone indoors, the two blind men came up to him. He asked them, “Do you believe I can make you well?”
“Yes, Lord,” they answered.
29Jesus touched their eyes and said, “Because of your faith, you will be healed.” 30They were able to see, and Jesus strictly warned them not to tell anyone about him. 31But they left and talked about him to everyone in that part of the country.
Jesus Heals a Man
32As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, some people brought to him a man who could not talk because a demon was in him. 33After Jesus had forced the demon out, the man started talking. The crowds were so amazed they began saying, “Nothing like this has ever happened in Israel!”
34 But the Pharisees said, “The leader of the demons gives him the power to force out demons.”
Reflect
In 1st century Judea, blindness was a particular burden. Not only were the blind unable to see; they were understood to be deserving of their condition. Jesus healed many blind who came to him and in today’s reading, he restored sight to two men. Though he warned them to not speak about him, they “talked about him to everyone in that part of the country.”
When word about Jesus spread, some people brought a mute man to him. Jesus confronted the demon that had silenced him and when he forced it out, the man started talking. Many onlookers were dazzled and said, “Nothing like this has ever happened in Israel!” However, the Pharisees stood back in their long robes, stroking their long, dark beards, and casting long, dark looks at Jesus. Finally, one said, “The leader of the demons gives him the power to force out demons.”
This was exactly what they were looking for—a way to make Jesus look bad and cast his miracles as evil instead of good. The Pharisees were willing to consider Jesus as anything but what he proved himself to be through his teaching and miracles. To them “Jesus, the demoniac” was infinitely preferable to “Jesus, the Son of God.” Today, a similar attitude is common. People will accept “Jesus, the pacifist,” “Jesus, the transcendent master,” or any other Jesus, as long as he is not “Jesus, the Son of God.”
In his divinity, Jesus not only saves us, but has expectations of us. The new life he offers, is just that – a new life, with new values, attitudes, motivations, and behaviours as well as a new destiny. When we choose to believe in Jesus, the Son of God, everything changes, and until we do, nothing does.
Respond
Lord Jesus, today I consciously submit myself to you as the Son of God. You alone have anything of lasting value to offer among the options spread before me. I acknowledge that knowing you in this way sets me free to live as you call me to. In the power of your own name, I pray. Amen.
Ron Hughes
For 25 years, Ron Hughes served as president of FBH International, a media ministry with projects around the world. Before that he and his family were missionaries in Ecuador for 10 years, where he pioneered several media projects. He maintains a busy itinerant speaking schedule and writing ministry with an output of hundreds of radio scripts which have been translated and broadcast in a dozen languages as well as short stories, articles and three non-fiction books.