Mennonite Weekly Review

Last week’s lesson showed Jesus being tested in the desert; this week finds Jesus well into his ministry. At this point we might think of him as “Dr. Jesus,” with all the cases of physical healing that come his way. In chapters 8 and 9 of Matthew, thus far Jesus has healed a leper, Peter’s mother-in-law, the centurion’s servant, a paralytic, demon-possessed men, a hemorrhaging woman and brought back a young girl to life. Now he is approached by two blind men.

Dueckman

Note that their call to him is “Son of David.” This refers first of all to Jesus’ lineage. Jesus was descended from David through Joseph, his legal earthly father, and by blood through Mary, his mother. But “Son of David” also has another meaning, that of the hoped-for Messiah as prophesied in the Old Testament who would deliver the Jews from Roman rule.

Healed, according to their faith

Although Jesus does not seem to respond to them at first — possibly not wanting to publicly claim the title of “Son of David” for political reasons — the blind men are persistent in following him into the house where he is staying. Their cry is “have mercy on us!” in the hope that Jesus will restore their sight. Jesus’ response is to ascertain the depth of their faith and state that “according to your faith, it will be done.” Their faith may not be very great, but it is in the act of confirming it that they receive healing. Blessing comes to those whose belief and faith grow when put to the test.

The men’s sight is restored, but Jesus warns them not to publicize this miracle. This seems a strange admonition, for surely it would be natural for formerly blind men to want to credit the one who has healed them. It is not yet time to reveal Jesus’ Messiahship; that will come after the Resurrection. But true to human nature, the healed men ignore or forget this request and begin to “spread the news about him all over that region.” How can they keep quiet?

Two very different reactions

Now immediately comes a man who has been keeping quiet, but not by choice. This man is mute due to demon possession. Jesus drives out the demon, and the man begins to speak.

How different are the reactions of the crowd and the Pharisees. The people who had been following Jesus all day, and who now hear words coming from the mouth of a formerly mute man, are amazed at Jesus’ mighty deeds, the likes of which have never been seen before in Israel. The Pharisees have a much different reaction. Unable to deny Jesus’ power to work miracles, they make an excuse to attribute his power to the devil.

In the final part of this week’s lesson, the worlds of John the Baptist and Jesus come together again. John learns of Jesus’ deeds while in prison, but the Jesus he hears about does not seem to be the Jesus he expected. God has already revealed to him at the time of Jesus’ baptism (chapter 3) that Jesus is the chosen one, but John seeks confirmation because Jesus isn’t behaving as John expected.

Is his questioning of Jesus’ identity a matter of unbelief? Perhaps it is more a matter of differing expectations. John does not understand how God’s plan is to be fulfilled, but he goes to Jesus with his doubts. We too are invited to take our doubts and uncertainties to Christ, even if we don’t understand how God’s divine plan is to be fulfilled in our lives.

Amy Dueckman, a former staff writer for Mennonite Weekly Review, works for Canadian Mennonite

and Mennonite Central Committee British Columbia and is a member of Emmanuel Mennonite Church in Abbotsford, B.C.