Matthew 9:23-28: a reflection

23When Jesus came into the ruler’s house and saw the flute players and the crowd in noisy disorder, 24he said to them, “Make room, because the girl isn’t dead, but sleeping.” They were ridiculing him. 25But when the crowd was sent out, he entered in, took her by the hand, and the girl arose. 26The report of this went out into all that land. 27As Jesus passed by from there, two blind men followed him, calling out and saying, “Have mercy on us, son of David!” 28When he had come into the house, the blind men came to him. Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” They told him, “Yes, Lord.”

Two healings sit side by side here, and a question ties them together. Jesus goes to raise a dead girl, and the mourners laugh at him when he says she is only sleeping. Then two blind men follow him, crying out for mercy, and when they reach him Jesus asks them a pointed question: do you believe that I am able to do this?

Notice that Jesus asks before he acts. He does not simply heal them; he first draws out their faith with a direct question about himself. Not do you deserve this, not have you earned it, but do you believe that I am able? And their answer is simple and enough: Yes, Lord. That confession, that trust in his ability, is what he draws out before he opens their eyes.

Jesus still puts that question to us. In the thing you are asking him for, the question is not really whether you are worthy, but whether you believe he is able. Between the scornful laughter of the crowd, who think he can do nothing, and the blind men's Yes, Lord, where do you stand? He is asking you, about the very thing on your heart today: do you believe that I am able to do this? Answer him honestly, and bring him your Yes, Lord.

Lord Jesus, you ask me the question you asked the blind men: do I believe you are able? About the thing on my heart today, I answer, Yes, Lord. Help my faith in your ability, and have mercy on me.