Matthew 9:29-33: a reflection

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 have followed Jesus, crying for mercy, and when he touches their eyes he says, according to your faith be it done to you. Their eyes are opened. The words are worth pausing over: their healing is joined to their faith, their trust that Jesus could and would help them. Jesus meets their believing expectation with the very sight they longed for. He responds to the faith that comes to him for help.

Then a man who could not speak, held under a dark power, is brought to Jesus, and when that power is driven out, the man speaks. The crowds are amazed, saying nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel. Whether it is blindness or bondage or silence, Jesus meets human need with authority and compassion. He restores what was broken, opening eyes and loosing tongues, and the people rightly marvel at what God is doing among them.

The phrase according to your faith invites you to bring your needs to Jesus with real expectation. This is not a formula that guarantees whatever we want, but an encouragement to come to him trusting that he is able and willing to help. Whatever your version of blindness or silence, whatever you long to have restored, bring it to Jesus in faith, as these did. Come expecting his mercy, and let him meet your trust with his power to heal and to free.

Lord Jesus, you told the blind men, according to your faith be it done, and opened their eyes; you loosed the tongue of the man who could not speak. Teach me to bring my needs to you with real expectation, trusting that you are able and willing to help. Whatever I long to have restored, I bring it to you in faith. Meet my trust with your mercy and your power. Amen.