Their Eyes Were Opened
These men, however, were two blind men. Neither could see, yet they followed Him. "When Yeshua departed from there, two blind men followed Him ..." (Matthew 9:27)
Clearly, the two blind men had a special relationship that surpassed basic instincts. They may have been blind but it did not stop them from seeking first the kingdom of God, and from pursuing His righteousness. Together they encouraged one another to walk humbly before God, and in the paths of holiness.
The depth of their special relationship is all the more powerfully portrayed when we hear them, " ... crying out and saying, ‘Son of David, have mercy on us!'" (Matthew 9:27)
Blind they may have been, but together in the purity of holiness they were a force impregnable.
It is an image that can open the eyes who are not blind.
The need for the men to have an audience with Yeshua was urgent.
"And when He had come into the house, the blind men came to Him." (Matthew 9:28)
Two blind men ... they followed Him, and they came to Him, powerful indeed!
One can picture the two blind men standing arm-in-arm, before Yeshua. They had come without assistance, they were blind. "And Yeshua said to them, 'Do you believe that I am able to do this?" This was the moment of truth, and in truth they responded. "They said to Him, 'Yes, Lord.'" (Matthew 9:28)
"Then He touched their eyes, saying, 'According to your faith let it be to you.'
"And their eyes were opened. And Yeshua sternly warned them, saying, 'See that no one knows it.' But when they had departed, they spread the news about Him in all that country." (Matthew 9:29-31)
The two blind men were healed. They could see!
Praise God, whose mercies toward His people Israel endures for ever!
"Thus says, the LORD, the Redeemer of Israel, their Holy One, to Him whom man despises, to Him whom the nation abhors, to the Servant of Rulers: 'Kings shall see and rise, princes also shall worship, because of the LORD who is faithful, the Holy One of Israel: and He has chosen you." (Isaiah 49:7)
The miracle is a beautiful witness to the might and kindness of the God of Israel. He who keeps covenant with Israel neither slumbers nor sleeps. (Psalm 121:4) The two men who were blind could now see!
Noteworthy also, is Yeshua's warning to the two men. "See that no one knows." This is odd since the two blind men would have been known. Certainly, family members would have been immediately exuberant, excited, without the men having to say anything. Not to mention the talk of the local community to whom they would have belonged. Two blind men who could now see is a little difficult to keep hidden. Unless of course, the Master's warning was referring to something else.
It is possible that the Messiah's warning was in reference to what they saw when their eyes were opened.
This would perhaps seem more logical than endeavouring to hide their now-fully-restored-obvious-to-all sight.
We have seen that two blind men coming to Yeshua was a little different, particularly, from the usual friend-assisted or single person who came to Yeshua for healing.
We have attempted to appreciate the uniqueness of the special relationship of the two blind men, and to sense the richness, the depth of faith in a truly God-fearing relationship. A relationship that genuinely encourages one another in God's love and His good works.
With this in view, let us consider further, how the two blind men address Yeshua.
"Son of David, have mercy on us!" And Scripture records that they were "crying out" this announcement. This is a Messianic greeting, couched in covenantal language, and it is entirely consistent with those who fear God; those who are of the community of the righteous. These men may have been blind but they were intelligent and wise.
It would appear that these two blind men had discovered something very special. This Messianic announcement is like a key.
Note, there is no record of the blind men asking Yeshua to heal them of their blindness or to restore their sight. All that is recorded is their "crying out" the Messianic announcement. "Son of David, have mercy on us!"
Neither is there a record of whether the Master asked them if they would like to be healed.
Instead the Scripture records Yeshua's response, "Do you believe that I am able to do this?" (Matthew 9:28)
When, as one, they say, "Yes Lord.", then the Master touches their eyes.
It is also at this point that the Master says something that is very interesting. Rather than saying something like, "Let your sight be restored!" or "Be healed!" He says, "According to your faith let it be to you." (Matthew 9:30)
This statement is clearly linked with their full of faith announcement, "Son of David, have mercy on us!"
Then it happened, "And their eyes were opened." What did they see? Perhaps, in the process of their eyes being opened they saw beyond the capacity of their physical eyesight. Perhaps, a vision like a prophet. What ever it may have been, Yeshua "sternly warned" them, "See that no one knows." (Matthew 9:30)
Consequently, the two men, rejoicing in the Lord's mercies, happily spread the news of their healing, and not what they saw. "But when they had departed, they spread the news about Him in all that country." (Matthew 9:31)
May there be many today who believe in Yeshua the Messiah, and like the two blind men have their eyes opened.
Mark Warren