Context No. 4051 of 4322 · Matthew

Matthew 9:29-33: in context

29Then he touched their eyes, saying, “According to your faith be it done to you.” 30Then their eyes were opened. Jesus strictly commanded them, saying, “See that no one knows about this.” 31But they went out and spread abroad his fame in all that land. 32As they went out, behold, a mute man who was demon possessed was brought to him. 33When the demon was cast out, the mute man spoke. The multitudes marveled, saying, “Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel!”

Two blind men come to Jesus for healing, and before he touches their eyes, Jesus says something significant: according to your faith be it done to you. And their eyes are opened. Jesus links their healing to their faith; they had come believing he could heal them, and their faith was the channel through which his power flowed to them.

There is a truth here about how God often works. Jesus was not limited by the men's faith, as if he could do nothing without it; but he chose to work through their faith, honoring the trust with which they came to him. According to your faith, he said, connecting what they received to how they believed. This is not a formula that guarantees we get whatever we want if we believe hard enough; faith is not a technique for controlling God. But it does teach us to come to Jesus expectantly, with real trust in his ability and willingness to help. The blind men came believing, and Jesus met their faith. There is an invitation here to come to Jesus in the same way, not doubting whether he can help, but bringing our need to him with expectant faith.

Do I come to Jesus with the expectant faith of the blind men, trusting in his ability and willingness to help, and bringing my need to him believingly, while leaving the outcome in his good hands?

Sources

Matthew 9:29: "Then he touched their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it done to you."
Matthew 9:30: "Then their eyes were opened."
Matthew 9:22: "Daughter, cheer up! Your faith has made you well."