Sometimes people ignored instructions straight from Jesus’s mouth. Of course, I ignore his instructions regularly, but in this case I’m thinking of two blind men who caught up with Jesus. Hoping for sight, they finally gained an audience.
Jesus touched their eyes and restored their vision. Then the ignoring: Jesus warned them sternly, “See that no one knows about this.” But they went out and spread the news about him all over that region.
Now that they could see, they couldn’t stop moving their mouths about Jesus.
Reminds me of the old country hymn He Saw It All. I like the way my Uncle JR (straight from the Ozarks) performed the song:
The enthusiasm of those Jesus touched snowballed. Astounded by the encounter they ran and told everyone. Their neighbors and family looked into the eyes of the formerly blind and danced with the previously lame. Hard to ignore such stunning changes.
In attempting to walk with Jesus for decades I watch my enthusiasm wax and wane. Challenges dampen my fervor. Concerns darken my sight. It’s good for me to read of those who experienced Jesus, and it’s cheering for me to watch people encounter Jesus today.
Like the two blind men, I can also ask Jesus for mercy and sight. And when he answers with a touch? Then I’ll chase that crippled man as he runs past.
Matthew 9 in reading the Bible cover to cover in 2022
Photo by Jason Betz
I had never heard JR sing but had heard how well he could. I really enjoyed it very much.