Read Matthew 20:29-34
This morning we continue our series entitled, “The Year of Supernatural Manifestation”, with our mini-series on “The Miracles of Jesus”. In Matthew 9 we looked at the story of two blind men and how they received their healing from Jesus when He was leaving Jairus’ house. They cried out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on us!” Jesus did, He touched their eyes, and they were healed. Fast forward to Matthew 20 and we see a similar situation play out.
Matthew 20 opens with Jesus teaching parables in Jericho. He finished up the parables and informed the disciples of His impending death. The Mother of the Zebedee’s sons (James and John) took that opportunity to request special positions of honor for her two boys. But instead of granting her request, Jesus took that opportunity to teach a lesson on humility and servanthood. As Jesus and His disciples wrapped things up in Jericho, a large followed them as they left the city. Two blind men were sitting by the roadside and they heard that Jesus was passing by.
The two blind men shouted, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!”; an almost identical statement to the two blind men in Matthew 9. But unlike the two previous blind men, these two faced opposition before they had their encounter with Jesus. The crowd rebuked the blind men, forcefully telling them to be quiet. Their response? They cried out even louder, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!” Their persistence paid off. Their cries of faith caused Jesus to stop. Jesus approached them and asked, “What do you want me to do for you?” This is the question we all want to hear from God. This is where their general request (have mercy on us) became a specific one. They answered, “Lord, we want to be able to see.” No fancy words, just a straightforward request. The Bible says that Jesus had compassion on them, He touched their eyes, and immediately they received their sight. With their sight restored, these men joined the crowd and became followers of Jesus.
So what does this mean to you today? A few things:
1. Always approach God from a position of honor.
a) Like many of the people who received a breakthrough through Jesus, the two blind men in Matthew 20 honored the anointing on Jesus’ life. They addressed Him as “Lord” and they called Him the “Son of David”. Both are references to Jesus’ divine nature.
b) Those who failed to honor the anointing on Jesus’ life were in His presence, but missed out on their potential breakthrough, because you cannot receive from someone on a level that you don’t honor them on.
2. Never let anyone change your prayer/confession.
a) The two blind men called out to Jesus and said, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!” The crowd wanted them to stop and be quiet, but they ignored the crowd. As a matter of fact, when they were told to be quiet, they yelled even louder! Don’t let anyone stand in the way of your breakthrough!
b) The two blind men needed a touch from God and they remained persistent, both in their confession and their faith. Please learn from them. Don’t let anyone change your confession.
c) Pleasing God sometimes means being at odds with men. But that’s okay. I choose pleasing God over pleasing men any day.
3. Don’t be afraid to get specific with God.
a) Some people think it’s presumptuous to specific with God in prayer, as if ambiguity is somehow a form of humility.
b) When the two blind cried out for “mercy”, that was a general request. Although this general request caused Jesus to stop, He did not move until He asked them specifically what they wanted Him to do. They got specific and said, “”Lord, we want to be able to see.” They got exactly what they asked for! Like these men, don’t ever be afraid of getting specific with God in prayer. Our God is a God of specificity.
4. Don’t ignore the power of a prayer partner.
a) The two blind men in the story spoke as one man. They had one voice. They had one request. They were partners in every sense of the word. They went to Jesus together and they received their breakthrough together!
b) There is power in unity. Never underestimate the power of being able to set your faith in agreement with someone else in prayer.
c) You can always for pray yourself, but don’t underestimate the power of combined faith.
Closing Confession: Father, this is a year of Great Victory for me. I honor You this year like never before. I reverence Your holy name. I extol Your glory, majesty, and might. I honor You as my God, besides whom there is no other. I release most holy faith over my specific petitions, in accordance with Your Word, and I believe You will honor my faith and bring them to pass in the earth. I refuse to allow anyone to change what I say. I am a God pleaser and I place pleasing You above pleasing men. I pray with others routinely and pray the prayer of agreement. I believe You will always honor my faith, because I honor Your name and I pray in accordance with Your will. I am ready for this day. My faith is persistent, my expectations are high, and my eyes are on YOU! I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper.
