Become What You Believe
Matthew 9:27-31 (MSG) 27-28 As Jesus left the house, He was followed by two blind men crying
out, “Mercy, Son of David! Mercy on us!” When Jesus got home, the blind men
went in with Him. Jesus said to them, “Do you really believe I can do this?”
They said, “Why, yes, Master!”
29-31 He touched their eyes and said, “Become what you believe.” It
happened. They saw. Then Jesus became very stern. “Don’t let a soul know how
this happened.” But they were hardly out the door before they started blabbing
it to everyone they met.
I’ve heard and read this story several times, but today, a
few different things jumped out at me. 1) the 2 men were blind “following” Him.
2) the men followed Him INTO the house, not actually invited in. 3) ‘become
what you believe’. 4) Jesus became stern. 5) the men quickly became blabber-mouths.
First: If you know anything about someone that is blind, you
know that their other senses are heightened! I’m sure these men were familiar with
the area, neighborhood, and town where Jesus was, because then they were able
to follow Him. I picture that they had heard of Jesus from others that
witnessed His talking and sharing of God’s love and mercy. They heard about the
lives changed. They were outside of the officials house where Jesus just raised
their daughter from the dead. These blind men, listened to everyone and
everything around them. They were like the 'fly on the wall' I'm sure in most places. They were the ‘town know-it-alls’ because they would stand a bit
away from people and yet hear EVERYTHING that they said and shared.
Second:
the blind men, like most people with some sort of ‘life difficulty’, didn’t
have a personal space boundary LOL They just followed Him right in the house
where He went. I don’t get the impression they were actually invited in – so they
did have a bit of boldness built up in following Jesus around. Perhaps even what we would call bluntness today.
They knew from their history, that Jesus fit all of what was said about the
coming Messiah – and they were bold in that belief and said so out loud.
Third: I
like that Jesus asked them point blank: do you believe I can do this? And their
response was like “Of Course!!” Pretty neat that they followed Jesus around, we
don’t know for how long, but I can imagine it was for more than just the visit
at the town officials house. Their ears hearing EVERYTHING the people were
saying and expressing. I’m sure they were taking it all in as they followed
Him. With each conversation, their faith grew stronger and stronger. Kind of
like ours does when we read more and more in the bible! As we progress through the bible,
our faith grows too!! The phrase “become what you believe” jumped out at me,
that these men were totally convinced that they would have sight from Jesus.
They would have healing. They would be able to see again. As they followed Him,
heard the different miracles happening to those in their town – I can imagine
that their ‘belief’ in what He could and would do for them, just grew and grew!
We can have this SAME assurance!! When we read verses that are promises of God –
they ARE FOR US too!! We can pray them right back to God! We have the privilege
of “following” Jesus around too, by reading scriptures! Which, lead me to realize, that we MUST have,
use, say, repeat all of the positive things that God sees us to be – for those
are what we will become as we believe! Positive affirmations, not negative,
degrading, demeaning things – but how God sees us through Jesus!! Pure, clean,
new, His child!
Fourth/Fifth:
This part struck me like never before. I picture Jesus even leaning in close to
them with His warning of “not to let anyone know what happened” – BUT, Jesus
knowing these men were like the best kept secret in the world of gossips – I believe
that His being stern and telling them NOT to tell anyone, just fanned their
flames of what they had already planned to do! Kind of like when we tell our
kids not to do or touch something – what do they do? Touch it! Do it! This is our human
nature. It was not a surprise to Jesus. To me, having the “don’t tell” pressed
in over them, made them draw even closer to those they told. Like a secret.
Yet, they couldn’t help but rejoice and share what God had done through Jesus!!
If there is anything I can say was my ‘take away’ from this
Tea Time With Jesus – it was that God knows it all, even before it happens, and
we are His precious children that get to experience His glory, mercy, healing,
changed life, and then SHARE that love and experience with others! Today, when
you go through the ABC’s thanking and praising God for the blessings He has
given you – share a few of those with others. LOL Maybe even out loud to
someone you pass by. “I’ve been blessed with a New Day today, and so have you!”
then smile and keep going. Share the joy, love, mercy, and blessings you have
been given – you never know who just needs to see/hear a little example of Gods
work still happening in their world. Be well, be safe, be blessed today. I’m
praying for you!
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