Purchased Sight Unseen

When he entered the house, the blind men came to him, and Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” They said to him, “Yes, Lord.” Matthew 9:28

“Well, I never.” “Never in a million years.” “Have you ever seen anything like that before?” “That’s a first for me.” “I just can’t believe it.” “Wow!” “Amazing!” “You’ve got to see this.”

Extraordinary encounters elicit different responses. Some of us are awed and amazed and can’t wait to tell others about the experience hoping they too can enjoy the euphoric high of an adrenaline rush like an extreme sports athlete. Others of us are skeptical and hesitant to give credit where credit is due. We question everyone and everything and think all good things must come with a catch or a hefty price tag.

The two stories in Matthew 9:27-34 provide us with three different responses to the miraculous healing by Jesus.

The first response to encounters with Jesus is to go and tell (Matthew 9:30-31). In this story two blind men who have heard about Jesus, but have never seen him nor been witnesses to his actions, call out to him for healing. Like Tarek and Christina El Moussa on Flip or Flop, they are buying property sight unseen believing the investment will be worth it. Their blind faith (no pun intended) is rewarded by Jesus and their sight is restored. The men believed, without having visible proof, that Jesus was the real deal worth pursing in their quest for healing and the risk paid off.

Like children who have been told not to tell mom what happened, they immediately ran and told everyone they knew what Jesus had done for them and how their life had been forever changed.  

The second story reveals two different responses to a miraculous encounter with Jesus. In this story, Jesus restores speech to a man who was made mute by a demon (Matthew 9:32-33). As if they were watching fireworks on the fourth of July, the crowd responds with oohs and aahs and “never have I seen” type statements. The miraculous event is met with the sounds of show-stopping amazement and wowed applause of an audience who has just experienced the best show of their life.

They leave amazed, but unchanged by their encounter.

The third response is one of disparagement. Challenged by the possible truth of who Jesus was, the Jewish leaders of the day do their best to discredit all that He does. The truth of Jesus does not fit into the truth of their faith and threatens their position of power.  So, they respond in ridicule and cynicism in order to maintain control of their lives. 

What about us?
Do we respond to faith encounters with God by sharing the live changing message with others?

Or, do we stand in awe of it for the moment and then go back unchanged to our regular lives?

Lastly, do we see it as a threat to our comfortable lifestyle and we counter argue it with cynicism and ridicule so we don’t have to make changes in order to make room for Jesus?

---