Seeing Before We See

Bible Reading: Matthew 9:27–34

 “Then Jesus touched their eyes and said, 

‘According to your faith let it be done to you.’” 

Matthew 9:29

Two blind men followed Jesus crying, “Have mercy on us, Son of David!” (Matthew 9:27). Their words reveal something remarkable. Though unable to see Jesus physically, they recognized Him as the promised Messiah. They had heard about Him, and what they heard awakened faith. Their faith came before their sight was restored; they trusted Jesus without first seeing the evidence. Though physically blind, their hearts could already see clearly who Jesus was. Meanwhile, some who possessed physical sight and considerable religious knowledge failed to recognize Jesus. Their story reminds us that spiritual sight is itself one of God’s gracious gifts. Paul prayed that “the eyes of your heart may be enlightened” so that we might know the hope to which God has called us (Ephesians 1:18).

Jesus asked the men, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” They simply answered, “Yes, Lord” (Matthew 9:28). Then He touched their eyes and restored their sight. Their experience challenges our tendency to say, “Show me, Lord, and then I will trust You.” Faith often reverses the order: we trust before we see. “We live by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7). Immediately afterward, a man unable to speak was brought to Jesus. Unlike the blind men, he couldn’t cry out for himself; others brought him. Jesus delivered him, and his voice was restored. Whether we come crying for mercy ourselves or are carried through the prayers and compassion of others, Christ sees our need.

Yet the passage ends with a startling contrast. The crowds were amazed, while the Pharisees saw the same miracles and attributed them to evil (Matthew 9:33–34). The blind recognized Jesus, while those who could see remained spiritually blind. Here is the mystery of God’s gifts: sometimes the greater gift isn’t the answer we seek but eyes that recognize the Giver. We may not yet see what God is doing in our circumstances, but we can trust the One who sees what we cannot. Jesus said, “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (John 20:29). May God open our eyes to recognize Christ, trust Him before the answer comes, and notice those around us who need to be brought to Him.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, 

Open the eyes of our hearts. Help us trust You before we see and walk faithfully by faith. 

Amen.