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TWO BLIND MEN HEALED
WE are so much accustomed to read and hear the miracles of our Lord, that the recital of them produces little or no effect: but had we seen the multitudes of diseased people continually coming to him, crying after him, and breaking in upon his retreats when he was in the houses of his friends, we should have been greatly astonished. In the passage before us we have a specimen of their importunity: two blind men, having in vain supplicated our Lord’s assistance in the street, followed him into a house, and there obtained that relief, which, from prudential considerations perhaps, he had not chosen to impart in the presence of the people.
Waving many observations which will arise, when another miracle, exactly similar to this [Note: Mat_20:30-34.], shall be considered, we shall fix our attention upon two things, which are very strongly marked in the words before us:
I. The object of faith—
The whole sacred volume is to be received by us; but God has revealed in it the proper object of our faith: his perfections are the foundation on which we build; and though every perfection is equally an object of our love, yet there seems a propriety in regarding his power as the more immediate object of our faith; because it will be to no purpose to believe him well-disposed towards us, if we do not also believe him able to effect his gracious intentions—
[In confirmation of this we may observe, that in the most eminent instances of faith, the power of God has been chiefly regarded [Note: Abraham, whose faith is so highly commended, had respect to the power of God to give him a son in his old age, Rom_4:19-21 and to raise him up from the dead, Heb_11:19. In dependence on this, Jonathan attacked a Philistine garrison, 1Sa_14:6. Jehoshaphat went forth against three confederate armies, 2Ch_20:6; 2Ch_20:12 and the Hebrew Youths withstood the command of the Babylonish monarch, Dan_3:17-18.] — — —
And in the most remarkable instances of unbelief, his power has been principally doubted [Note: Sarah questioned the power of God to give her a child, Gen_18:12-14. As did also the Israelites to give them bread and flesh. Psa_78:20. Moses himself on one occasion staggered at God’s promise, from an apprehension that it could not be performed, Num_11:21-22. And Martha deemed the putrid state of her brother’s corpse an insurmountable bar to his restoration to life, Joh_11:39-40.] — — — Moreover God in a peculiar manner points out this attribute to our notice [Note: Psa_62:11.], expostulates with us for not attending to it sufficiently [Note: Isa_40:28-29.], and exhorts us to take it for our strength [Note: Isa_26:4.] — — —]
The address of our Lord to the two suppliants leads us further to remark,
II. The importance of faith—
[Our Lord makes more inquiry after this than after any other grace [Note: He inquired to this effect of Martha, Joh_11:26; of the blind man, Joh_9:35. See also the text.] — — — He overlooked many faults, where this was exercised [Note: He might have justly reproved the nobleman’s impatience, Joh_4:49.]; and disregarded every thing that was apparentlygood, if this were wanting [Note: The zeal and love of Peter were no longer approved when his faith failed him, Mat_14:3. Nor did Jesus regard the ready obedience of his disciples in ferrying him over the lake, when they discovered such timidity and want of faith, Mar_4:40.] — — — He invariably bestowed the highest encomiums upon it [Note: Mat_8:10; Mat_21:21-22. See particularly 2Ch_16:8. where it was not only commended, but rewarded.]; and made it, not only a condition, but the very measure of his favours [Note: Mar_9:23. Mat_8:13; Mat_15:28. See also the text.] — — —]
Application—
1. To unbelievers—
[If men may manifest a very considerable earnestness about salvation, and yet leave room to doubt whether they really believe in the all-sufficiency of Christ, how evidently must they be unbelievers, who have no solicitude about their eternal welfare! To judge of your faith, see whether you resemble these blind men in your consciousness of your need of a Saviour, and your conviction of the sufficiency of Christ to save you? Your need of mercy at his hands is as real and as urgent as ever theirs was: and, if you really believe in him, you are going to him with the same importunity as was expressed by them: nor will you account any time or place unfit for the silent offering of your requests. Think then, what will you answer to the Lord when he shall inquire respecting your faith! And what will you do, if he should say, Be it unto you according to your faith? Alas! too many of you need no greater curse than this. If you have no more pardon, peace, or glory, than in proportion to your present exercise of faith, the great mass of you, it is to be feared, will be miserable indeed. O remember the fate of the unbelieving Israelites; and flee to Christ, every one of you, lest ye perish after their example of unbelief [Note: Heb_3:18-19; Heb_4:11.].]
2. To those who are weak in faith—
[Can you see the multitude of our Saviour’s miracles, and entertain any doubt of his sufficiency? or the examples of so many that were strong in faith, and not be ashamed that, with your superior advantages, you should ever indulge unbelief? O fix it in your minds, that Jesus is able to save to the uttermost, and to keep that which you have committed to him [Note: 2Ti_1:12.]. Believe in the Lord, so shall you be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper [Note: 2Ch_20:20.]. But if ye will not believe, neither shall ye be establishe [Note: Isa_7:9.].]
3. To believers in general—
[You will find that peace of mind, purity of heart, victory over the world, and indeed all that you hold dear, vary according to the weakness or stability of your faith. Beware then of ever “limiting the Holy One of Israel.” Beg that “what is yet lacking in your faith may be perfected [Note: 1Th_3:10.].” And seek to become “strong in faith, giving glory to God.”]