The Compassion of Christ: Healing Two Blind Men
Among the myriad miracles wrought by our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ during His earthly ministry, the restoration of sight to the blind stands out as a profound demonstration of His divine power and boundless compassion. The Gospels record multiple instances of Jesus healing those afflicted with blindness, but two particular accounts in the Gospel of Matthew notably feature the healing of two blind men. These narratives, found in Matthew 9:27-31 and Matthew 20:29-34, offer rich theological insights into faith, the nature of Christ, and the spiritual implications of physical healing.
The First Encounter: Following Jesus into the House
The first instance of Jesus healing two blind men occurs relatively early in His ministry, as recorded by Matthew. Following the resurrection of Jairus's daughter and the healing of the woman with the issue of blood, Jesus departs from the ruler's house, and immediately, two blind men begin to follow Him, crying out for mercy.
And when Jesus departed thence, two blind men followed him, crying, and saying, Thou Son of David, have mercy on us.
Their cry, "Thou Son of David, have mercy on us," is highly significant. It reveals not merely a plea for physical healing but a recognition of Jesus's Messiahship. "Son of David" was a common messianic title, acknowledging Jesus as the promised heir to David's throne, the King of Israel. Their spiritual insight, despite their physical blindness, is striking. They saw, by faith, who Jesus truly was, even when many with physical sight remained spiritually blind.
Jesus does not immediately heal them in the street. Instead, He leads them into a house, creating a more intimate setting for the miracle. This might suggest a desire to emphasize the personal nature of faith and healing, or perhaps to avoid immediate public spectacle, though the news would inevitably spread.
And when he was come into the house, the blind men came to him: and Jesus saith unto them, Believe ye that I am able to do this? They said unto him, Yea, Lord.
Jesus’s question, "Believe ye that I am able to do this?" is central to the narrative. It underscores the prerequisite of faith for receiving God's miraculous intervention. It wasn't a question of whether Jesus was capable – His power was inherent – but whether they believed in His ability and willingness to act on their behalf. Their immediate and confident reply, "Yea, Lord," affirmed their unwavering faith. Upon this confession, Jesus touched their eyes, declaring, "According to your faith be it unto you."
Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you. And their eyes were opened; and Jesus straitly charged them, saying, See that no man know it.
Their sight was instantly restored. Jesus then gave them a strict charge to keep the miracle a secret. This command, often given by Jesus after His miracles, served several purposes: to prevent a premature rush to declare Him a political king, to avoid unnecessary opposition from religious leaders before His appointed time, and to allow His ministry to unfold according to God's perfect timing and plan. However, the joy and gratitude of the healed men proved too great for them to contain:
But they, when they were departed, spread abroad his fame in all that country.
Their disobedience, while perhaps not ideal in terms of Jesus's immediate strategy, certainly testifies to the profound impact of the miracle and their overflowing gratitude.
The Second Encounter: Near Jericho
The second account of two blind men receiving their sight from Jesus occurs much later in His ministry, as He was departing from Jericho on His final journey to Jerusalem. This event is also recorded in Mark 10:46-52 (which names one blind man, Bartimaeus) and Luke 18:35-43 (which also mentions one blind man, but as Jesus was approaching Jericho). Matthew, however, consistently highlights two individuals.
And as they departed from Jericho, a great multitude followed him. And, behold, two blind men sitting by the way side, when they heard that Jesus passed by, cried out, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou Son of David.
Again, the blind men cry out with the messianic title, "O Lord, thou Son of David." This time, they are sitting by the roadside, and a great multitude is following Jesus. Their persistent cries draw the rebuke of the crowd, who tell them to hold their peace. Yet, their desperation and faith only intensify their pleas:
And the multitude rebuked them, because they should hold their peace: but they cried the more, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou Son of David.
Their determination is a powerful example for believers. Despite opposition and discouragement, they refused to be silenced in their pursuit of Christ. Jesus, ever compassionate, stops and calls them, asking, "What will ye that I shall do unto you?"
And Jesus stood still, and called them, and said, What will ye that I shall do unto you? They say unto him, Lord, that our eyes may be opened.
This question, while seemingly obvious, invites a specific articulation of their need and desire. It requires them to voice their faith and trust. Their answer is simple and direct: "Lord, that our eyes may be opened."
So Jesus had compassion on them, and touched their eyes: and immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed him.
Moved with compassion, Jesus touched their eyes, and immediately, their sight was restored. The response of these men is also telling: "and they followed him." Unlike the first pair, who spread His fame, these men chose to follow Him, becoming His disciples, a testament to the transformative power of divine healing.
Profound Lessons from the Blind Men
These two accounts, though distinct in their details, offer consistent and vital lessons for all who seek Christ:
Conclusion
The healing of the two blind men in Matthew's Gospel serves as a timeless testament to the person and work of Jesus Christ. These accounts reveal His divine authority, His boundless compassion, and the indispensable role of faith in receiving His blessings. They remind us that Jesus is indeed the "Son of David," the promised Messiah, who not only opens physical eyes but also illuminates the darkened understanding of the spiritually blind. May we, like these two men, cry out to Him with persistent faith, trusting in His power and compassion, and then follow Him or proclaim His glorious deeds to a world still in need of sight.