Tuesday 05 March 2013

Background

Like yesterday, we are faced with the second in atrip of healing narratives. And once again, the context is deeplysignificant. The woman with an embarrassing haemorrhaging problem(Matthew 9:18-26), the two blind men, and themute man (Matthew9:32-34), all encounter Jesus as he travels.

These people are described as 'amme ha'ares' - people of theland. They were the outsiders and the outcasts, the people of whomno one wanted to take care or responsibility. They are left to fendfor themselves. Not even the rabbi's would offer to support them.They are all alone, destitute and ignored.

Jesus, throughout his ministry, pays particular attention tothose who feel alone, destitute and ignored. Here, that attentionmeans that Jesus meets them where they are most comfortable -behind closed doors - and rather unexpectedly touches the men.Through this simple action, their sight was restored and they beganto see things differently - so differently, in fact, that theyquickly became early evangelists, effervescently proclaiming theirhealing throughout the region.

There is one more crucial part of the story, however. This isthe part in the story between meeting Jesus and the healing of themen, The part when Jesus asked for a declaration of faith. So oftenwe can forget that Jesus is actually doing something more thanmeets the eye. Here, Jesus is recognising that a public declarationof faith and intent is significant. The men know that they arehealed because they first have to demonstrate confidence in Jesus.They have to state their belief, and stick to it.

Such a declaration probably gave them the confidence to speakafter the event too. They knew that it was God who had healed them,and they had already stated their faith in public. They areconfident and brash, and broke the one thing asked of them - not togo and keep talking about Jesus.

To Ponder

• Where have you felt alone, destitute or ignored?

• What do you need to see differently?

• What do you need healing for? And dare you ask God?

• The people ignored Jesus' command not to talk about what hadhappened. How do you talk about what Jesus has done through and toyou? This video may give further food for thought.