Resurrection Life of Jesus Church
THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW
PART 53: ASKING JESUS FOR A HEALING
RLJ-1952
JOHN S. TORELL
MARCH 3, 2024
THE BLIND MEN
Jesus and His entourage stopped in the city of Jerico for a night on the way to Jerusalem. As they left in the morning, there must have been hundreds of people following as they walked down the road. Matthew 20:29
Matthew reported there were two blind men sitting by the side of the road as the group passed them. verse 30
Mark states there was a blind beggar named Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sitting by the road. Mark 10:46
Luke recorded there was a blind man sitting by the road. Luke 18:35
What do we do with this apparent discrepancy? Whose account is correct? Matthew (Gospel of Matthew) and Peter (Gospel of Mark) were physically present for this event whereas Luke (Gospel of Luke) would later interview eyewitnesses and his writing reflects the conversations he had with those who had seen Jesus in the flesh.
There were several thousand people walking with Jesus and the apostles. They were all talking while walking down the road, and when they came to the blind men, they were shouting loudly to be sure they were heard by Jesus. Whether there was one blind man or two, the point is that Jesus responded and healed them.
All three writers agree that the blind were noisy, and when rebuked by the crowd, cried out all the more. Matthew 20:30-31; Mark 10:47-48; Luke 18:36-39
Jesus had compassion because He knew that he would return to this location and this was the only chance these men would get to receive sight. Matthew 20:32; Mark 10:49; Luke 18:40
Jesus did not automatically heal them. He wanted the men to verbalize what they wanted. The same holds true today; there is no automatic healing as Jesus wants us to seek Him out and ask for a healing. Matthew 20:33; Mark 10:50; Luke 18:41
JESUS HAD COMPASSION
Take note that Jesus did not impose any demands upon the blind. Did they live a life free of sin? How often did they attend the synagogue? The God-man knew there was no cure for their condition; it would be with them until death. The Son of God wanted them to be able to see and instantly healed their eyes. Matthew 20:34
Jesus stated that their faith had made them whole. Mark 10:52; Luke 18:42-43
JESUS DOESN’T CHANGE
The apostle Paul affirmed through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit that Jesus never changes. The Jesus of yesterday is the same today and going into the future. Hebrews 13:8
Receiving a healing from sickness or damage to the body is possible today. It just takes faith in Jesus. Such faith is available when we get saved and then it is just a matter of declaring that we have received it and thanking the Lord. Matthew 7:7-11
In addition to God’s spiritual arm, there is a mechanical arm that did not exist until a hundred years ago. The medical field has exploded in knowledge and doctors have the expertise and the tools to perform surgery and transplants that were impossible a century ago.
I would like to point out the obvious that no surgeon can actually heal a person; that only comes from the Lord. Nevertheless, a surgeon can help piece things back together so that God’s natural healing can take place.
Remember, it’s not so important how you begin your life after salvation, but how you finish it!
Do you have an ear to hear with?
