“Then he touched their eyes and said, “Because of your faith, it will happen.” Matthew 9:29 (NLT)
We live in a world of skepticism—doubt as to the truth of something. Our skepticism is reflected in the phrases we often use to reflect our disbelief: “If it seems too good to be true, it usually is”; “nothing is free—everything comes with price”; “if it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it’s a duck!”
Skepticism is not unique to the twenty-first century. During Jesus ministry, many refused to believe He was the Son of God and the promised Messiah. Doubt about Jesus was expressed in a local colloquium of that day: “Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?” (John 1:46) Although all His actions supported who He was, there were those with hardened hearts who refused to believe. Skepticism operates on the theory that certain knowledge is impossible. Let’s explore three (3) situations where faith and belief defied both skepticism and the impossible.
Matthew 9:18-29 records the healing of three individuals by Jesus—the ruler Jairus’ daughter, the woman with the issue of blood, and two blind men. Three separate stories—a dying daughter, a decade of disease, and life lived in darkness. Three situations viewed from man’s vantage point as impossible, irreversible, and hopeless. The ruler and the woman, entered into their encounter with Jesus believing He was able to solve their dire situation; the blind men simply requested “mercy”, dependent on the integrity of the promised Messiah—His genuineness (He was who He said He was), His veracity (He could do what He said He would), His faithfulness (He would do what He said)—to make their healing a reality. And how did they make their requests known? The father humbly yet confidently asked Jesus to come. The blind men called out and followed Jesus into the house. The woman, disregarding the risk of discovery by the crowd (death by stoning) simply “reached out and touched”. Jesus’ reaction was predictable, for no one will He ever turn away (John 6:37). In response to Jairus, “He arose and followed Him” (verse 19); later Jesus cautioned Jairus to, “Be not afraid, only believer” (Mark 5:36). To the woman with the issue of blood, Jesus gently spoke, “Thy faith has made thee whole” (verse 22). To the persistent blind men, Jesus touched their eyes and said, “Because of your faith, it (your healing) will happen.” And their eyes were opened (verses 29, 30).
As believers it is important that when we approach God we come with an expectation of belief that He is the solution for whatever our impossible situation. He will never turn us away. “He who comes to Him must believe He is (God, the Great I AM) and is a rewarder of those who diligently (sincerely) seek Him “(Heb. 11:6b). These desperate characters in Matthew’s trilogy of faith earnestly sought Jesus knowing He would reward their belief with healing.
As believers let us enter every personal encounter with God believing He can do the impossible. Because of the integrity of God, we need never doubt nor fear. Because of the love of God—His benevolence, grace, mercy and persistence—our faith in Him will enable us to stand fast in the most difficult of circumstances. The characters in Matthew’s trilogy of faith exchanged their impossible situation for the God of possible (Mark 10:27). That exchange is available to each of us who believe. For with God nothing shall be impossible Luke 1:37).