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Two blind men accost Jesus, begging to be healed. Jesus asks if they truly believe he can help. They say yes, and they are healed.
Do You Believe I Am Able To Do This?
Our whole relationship with Jesus is built on faith. We must
accept him on faith. Many years ago I heard a pastor explain
that God does not reject us and send us to hell but rather that
is
a choice we make by rejecting him. God wants our love.
It is a matter of faith.
Belief matters to Jesus. In Matthew 9:20, a woman plagued with
hemorrhage simply touched his robe because she believed. Jesus
told her, “Your faith has made you free.” She was
healed. The ruler who pleaded with Jesus to raise his daughter
from the dead by simply laying his hands on her also
demonstrated faith. Jesus had just completed those miracles when
the two blind men in today’s reading approached him for healing.
Several years ago my older sister was diagnosed with Stage 4
breast cancer. The disease was quite advanced and serious. She
had been working as a paraprofessional at a Lawrence
school. She was referred to a local oncologist who prescribed an
experimental treatment that produced quick results — so much so
that the drug destroyed the tumor and nearly took
her life before doctors could end the treatment.
During the treatment, she continued to work and was exposed to
the normal children’s diseases at school. She didn’t understand
how vulnerable she was. When she felt ill at home, she
thought she would check with the doctor the next day. The school
sent a fellow employee who was also a friend to check on her.
She was taken to the hospital via ambulance and was
near death for 24 hours. She was surrounded by the love and
prayers of her family.
Christ was always with her, working through the skill of her
doctor to bring healing. She is now healthy, retired and living
in Colorado.
Richard McDiffett
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