Have you ever noticed that when we humans don’t get our own way we instantly conclude and say out loud, “You’re the devil!”. We do this in the political arena for sure. We call anything presented by “the other side” as evil when issues cannot be greed on for the good the people served.
It happens in families, too. If you don’t agree with me, then you are wrong and evil. We judge hearts and minds and even criticize the condition of souls without really “seeing” or understanding each other.
As humans our nature is to hear what we want to hear and see only what we want to see. It is a daily battle for our soul.
HOLY PAUSE
This human condition flows from the heart. So we need a heart check. What is my heart? Do I truly believe what I believe is really real?
What do I feed my heart? Self? Pride? Demanding my own way?
Where is the Focus of my heart?
Our hearts drive what we see, hear, understand and act upon.
So, who drives my heart?
Matthew 9
Jesus Heals the Blind and the Mute
27 As Jesus went on from there, two blind men followed him, calling out, “Have mercy on us, Son of David!”28 When he had gone indoors, the blind men came to him, and he asked them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?”
“Yes, Lord,” they replied.
29 Then he touched their eyes and said, “According to your faith let it be done to you”; 30 and their sight was restored. Jesus warned them sternly, “See that no one knows about this.” 31 But they went out and spread the news about him all over that region.
32 While they were going out, a man who was demon-possessed and could not talk was brought to Jesus. 33 And when the demon was driven out, the man who had been mute spoke. The crowd was amazed and said, “Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel.”
34 But the Pharisees said, “It is by the prince of demons that he drives out demons.”
WHAT WE LEARN
Two blind men SEE with their hearts. They know who Jesus is and address Him correctly, “Son of David!” They ask the One and Only to have mercy on them because they know he can heal them. These two blind men not only acknowledged Christ as the Son of David but persisted in following Him right into the house. (No doubt they had friends who helped guide them.) It was their faith that Christ honored. Their “Yes, Lord” was the confession that released the power for their healing, and their sight was restored.Blindness is a picture of spiritual ignorance and unbelief (Isa. 6:10; Matt. 15:14; Rom. 11:25). The sinner must be born again before he can see the things of God (John 3:3). And the believer must be careful to grow spiritually or he will damage his spiritual vision (2 Peter 1:5–9).
Oh, Lord, open our eyes and heal our vision. Heal our land.
THE RELIGIOUS CALLED JESUS THE DEVIL!
The final miracle in this series involved a demon. While there is a difference between sicknesses and demonic workings (Matt. 10:8), the demons do have the power to cause physical afflictions. In this case, the demon made the man mute. Think of what a handicap this would be! Jesus delivered him, and the people admitted that this was a new thing in Israel.
But the religious leaders would not admit that Jesus was the Messiah. How, then, could they explain His miracles? Only by saying that His miracles were wrought in the power of the wicked one. They would repeat this charge later, and Jesus would refute it (Matt. 12:22.). In their unbelief, the Pharisees were playing right into Satan’s hands!
The Pharisees were blind, deaf and mute to all the Jesus was and is and forever will be.
HOLY PAUSE
What is the condition of our sight? It depends on the condition of our hearts, minds and souls.
“Do you believe that I am able to do this?”, says Jesus.
Do you believe I am able?
Do you believe?
Pause, reflect, then give an honest answer to Jesus. I am right now!
“I’ll believe it when I see it”, says the world. Jesus says, “Believe and you will see”.
Dear Heavenly Father,
Our vision needs to be 20/20 as we fully focus on you. Correct our spiritual blindness with your holy righteousness. Fill our hearts, minds and souls with all of you in us. Help us to really see you for who are…Savior and Lord.
In Jesus Name, Amen
Open my eyes, that I may seeGlimpses of truth thou hast for me;
Place in my hands the wonderful key
That shall unclasp and set me free
Silently now I wait for thee
Ready, my God, thy will to see
Open my eyes, illumine me, Spirit divine!
Open my ears, that I may hear
Voices of truth thou sendest clear;
And while the wave notes fall on my ear
Everything false will disappear
Silently now I wait for thee
Ready, my God, thy will to see
Open my ears, illumine me, Spirit divine!
Open my mouth, and let me bear
Gladly the warm truth everywhere;
Open my heart and let me prepare
Love with thy children thus to share
Silently now I wait for thee
Ready, my God, thy will to see
Open my heart, illumine me, Spirit divine!
Daily Manna (Coffee with Jesus) 