Faith Footsteps: Eighth Episode
Let’s consider our steps of faith and look to Jesus, the Founder and Leader who pioneered the way (Heb. 12:2). He’s the Originator but also the Finisher of our faith; He’s the Closer of every prayer.
Two blind men believed Jesus was the Jewish Messiah (Matt. 9:27-34) and cried out for divine mercy for sight. Jesus asked them a striking question, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” He was asking if they had faith, full persuasion, in His miracle-working power (dunamis) to heal and they answered, “Yes, Lord.”
Then He touched their eyes, saying, “According to your faith be it done to you.” Matthew 9:29
As the Messiah touched their eyes He literally brought down (Greek word for according) a transition from blindness to sight simply because they believed in His divine power. In Jesus’ eyes their response indicated faith. I wonder if Jesus asked us would we have that same response: “Yes, Lord.” Have you been praying, maybe for a really long time, for someone to have their spiritual eyes opened? Does spiritual blindness keep your loved one from freedom? Be encouraged that believers today have the same mandate as Paul:
… to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in Me. Acts 26:18
Do you believe He is able to do this?
A Lebanese woman also cried out for mercy to the One she believed could deliver her daughter from a demon. In this story (Matt. 15:21-28 and Mark 7:24-30) Jesus allowed her, a non-Jew, to present her case. In her humility, ‘even dogs eat from the master’s table’, Jesus declared that because of her verbal argument (statement: Mark 7:29) the demon left her daughter. Her words of faith were her case, even if they weren’t promised specifically to her yet, a Gentile; she knew God was merciful. As she stood on those promises Jesus responded to her great faith with the same words as the blind men, ‘be it done to you’ and added in Matthew, ‘as you desire’.
Maybe your faith footsteps are at a standstill as you pray for someone’s physical or spiritual healing; another parent felt the same way in Mark 9:21-24. His son also had a demon and near the end of his hope for deliverance spoke to Jesus.
“ … if You can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.”
Jesus replied,
‘If you can’! All things are possible for one who believes.” Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!” Mark 9:23-24
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. Romans 15:13
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