Posts Tagged ‘Isaiah 29:17–24’

Isaiah 29:17-24; Matthew 9:27-31

We might assume, at first glance, that this is just another healing story among many in the gospels.  There were numerous accounts of Jesus healing, as we know, and the gospel writers cited them as proof that Jesus was from God and was doing the work of God.  As a miracle story, this account has some unique features, such as the fact that two blind men were healed rather than one, and that the healing took place inside a house rather than in an open public space.  The important role that believing seems to play in this account is also noteworthy.  In other miracle stories Jesus does not seem to require faith on the part of the person in need, but here he specifically questions the faith of the blind men.  “Do you believe that I am able to do this?”  he asks them. He underscores the importance of their faith a second time when he makes a direct connection between their belief and their ability to receive healing: “According to your faith let it be done to you.”  Only after he has tested their faith does the healing occur. Read More