The Miracles of Jesus

Lent – March 4, 2024

Jesus heals two blind men

Matthew 9:27-31

 

Confession

&

Absolution

We do certain things during worship each week when we go to church. Two of those things are confessing our sins and being absolved of them by the Pastor. Below is one of the many confessions and absolutions you may acknowledge at your church.

Pastor – Most merciful God,

Congregation: We confess that we are in bondage to sin and cannot free ourselves. We have daily sinned

against You in thought, word, and deed by what we have done and by what we have left

undone. We have not loved You with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as

ourselves. For the sake of Your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us.

Pastor: In the mercy of almighty God, Jesus Christ was sent into the world to die for us. Through Him and

for His name’s sake, we receive grace and forgiveness for all we have done and are empowered to

become children of God. Go now in the knowledge that your sins are forgiven.

Amen

As Christians, we do the same thing throughout the day and week. We pray to God for the forgiveness of sins that we knowingly and unknowingly commit. And, because of Christ’s sacrifice, we are forgiven.

*****************************The Point***********************

Today’s devotion involves two blind men who never ask for healing, nor do they ask directly for forgiveness. Still, they do confess to Jesus that they believe:

“As Jesus went on from there, two blind men followed him, calling out, “Have mercy on us, Son of David!”

When he had gone indoors, the blind men came to him, and he asked them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?”

“Yes, Lord,” they replied.

Then he touched their eyes and said, “According to your faith, let it be done to you,” and their sight was restored. 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.

Matthew 9:27-31

Here again, we have another healing based on faith. In this instance, though, recovery was not asked for. Let’s look at a few essential points from this passage:

The two blind men address Jesus as the Son of David. What does this imply? Their words tell us that they believe that Jesus is the Christ. He is the Messiah they have been waiting for.

The blind men didn’t ask for healing. They asked for mercy. They understood that they were sinners and needed forgiveness.

• Jesus replies to their pleas by asking them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” The blind men respond, “Yes, Lord.” Then Jesus replied to them, “According to your faith, be it done to you.” 

What happened during this exchange? The blind men confess they are sinners and acknowledge Jesus as the Messiah. Jesus absolved them of their sins, healing them spiritually as well as healing them physically.

We must confess our sins regularly, at church, and privately. We should go directly to God. We confess, He absolves. The most remarkable thing is that God doesn’t hold any of our transgressions against us.

We are forgiven through the blood of Christ, shed on the cross.

Dear Lord. Thank you for sending your Son Jesus to sacrifice Himself for our sins. Help us always come to you to confess our sins and transgressions with a penitent heart as we ask for forgiveness. Amen