Read Matthew 9:27-38
Today's Bible reading covers only 11 verses, but, oh, what God can do in just 11 verses. Jesus had been performing many miracles and the word had gotten out. Verse 27 of this chapter tells us of two blind men who had heard of the Power of Jesus. They cried out, Son of David, have mercy on us! Did Jesus heal them right away? No. First he asked them a question – a vital question – that needed to be answered before any kind of healing could happen.
... and Jesus asked them, “Do you believe I can make you see?” “Yes, Lord,” they told Him, “we do.” Then He touched their eyes and said, “Because of your faith, it will happen.” And suddenly they could see! ~ Matthew 9:28b, 29, 30a
The miracle of sight, first spiritually and then physically. Over the next few verses, Jesus again allowed His healing power to flow as he confronted a man who was demon-possessed and mute. With the authority of Heaven, Jesus defeated the powers of Satan – bringing light and expression where there was darkness and silence.
From there, Jesus traveled the countryside. He taught in the meeting places, and preached the good news of God's kingdom. Verse 37 of this chapter says that He healed every sickness and every disease among the people.
If not for 2,000 years, we could've been in his audience. Can’t you just imagine the stir Jesus was making? He healed every sickness and disease that was brought to Him. The commotion there must have been! The chatter was buzzing. The hugs and the tears were flowing. The excitement was electric... all for the astonishing wonders they witnessed. But there’s more.
As we come to the end of this Scripture passage, we suddenly notice something. We've been caught up in the excitement, in the miracles. But let's stop and look a little closer. Let's see not so much what Jesus did that day as what Jesus felt.
But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd. ~ Matthew 9:36
Jesus, His God-heart moved with compassion. But for whom? Compassion for the concerned mother with the fevered infant. Compassion for the terminally ill without any hope. Compassion for the spiritually weary, having no anchor. Compassion for you. For me. You see, even though we live in another century – another millennium – God’s heart of love finds us. Jesus' eyes of compassion see us. And our hearts feel the tug of His divine love.
As His love-filled heart replaces my self-filled one, something amazing happens. I begin to see with the eyes of Jesus. Needy people get my attention. Tender compassion becomes my focus.
Several centuries ago, a famous prayer was penned by St. Francis of Assisi, one who saw with the eyes of compassion. Let’s roll back time and pray this prayer together…
Divine Master, Grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive. It is in pardoning that we are pardoned, and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
A compassionate heart... the heart of God. Our heart, as we invite Him in to stay.
