Matthew 9:18-34
“Notice what you notice.” Matthew: Healing miracles… Our reading today omits a simple item from earlier in the chapter, that Jesus had returned to Capernaum from across the Sea of Galilee in the land of the Gerasenes. We see this in verse 1 of chapter 9: And getting into a boat he crossed over and came to his own city. Just offering that geographic clarification…
Today’s Matthew reading has four healing miracles, including the raising of Jairus’ daughter and the healing of the woman with a flow of blood. These two miracles will be covered in the next four days in Mark and Luke. So today, the other two miracles – healing two blind men and a demon-possessed mute man…
In Matthew these other two miracles immediately follow the healing of Jairus’ daughter. Matthew has Him (presumably) leaving Jairus’ house and entering “the house” (v. 28), whereupon two blind men enter also and engage Him. Jesus doesn’t get much rest – crowds follow Him when He goes out in public and they even come into “the house”.
The healing of the two blind men is unique in Jesus’ ministry. As far as I can find out, this is the only place where He asked the men directly if they believe that He can heal them: …Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” (v. 28) There are other occasions where Jesus asks whether people believe in Him (see John 11:26; 16:31), but not before a healing. And He rewards their belief, …“According to your faith be it done to you.” (v. 29)
I clearly lack healing faith. I do not discount healing miracles that others report (although some do seem suspect), but I have not seen those miracles myself (beyond “normal” medical intervention), nor have my intercessory prayers for healing in others’ lives been answered (again, beyond “normal” medical intervention). Just in the last month my siblings and I have been praying extensively for healing for my younger brother, Richard – that his prostate cancer would be removed before his operation (yesterday). Didn’t happen (although the doctors did report a successful surgery). That doesn’t shake any of my fundamental beliefs in our Almighty God, but I do wonder…
Blessings!