According to your faith will it be done to you

Reading: Matthew 9:27- 31

Lord Jesus Christ is the Fountain of light as well as life (Jn 1:4; 8:121 Jn 1:7). He came to world to open the spiritual eyes as well as physical eyes and to give eternal life (Isaiah 35:5).

The scene of this miracle was near Capernaum (probably at the house of St. Peter). The two blind men probably followed Him with hope and patience till they made the cry of faith "Have mercy on us, Son of David - Messiah" on His leaving the house of Jairus. They were blind. They had not seen Him and His miracles, only heard Him and about Him. They didn’t know much scripture. They simply believed that He is Messiah (Christ – Saviour) and He can give us sight.

But the folly and sin of the chief priests, Pharisees and teachers or experts of the Law they denied and opposed Him. They could not see Him and His miracles (Ephesians 4:18), but faith comes by hearing Romans 10:17. Note, they who, by the providence of God, are deprived of bodily sight, may yet, by the grace of God, have the eyes of their understanding so enlightened, as to discern those great things of God, which are hid from the wise and prudent.

After hearing their cry of faith Lord Jesus Christ treated blind men with mercy, love and compassion (As the blind are to be treated Lev 19:14: Deut 27:18).

"Do you believe that I am able to do this?" Our Lord not only put this question to the further trial of their faith, but to deepen it, to raise their expectation of a cure, and so prepare them to receive it.

It teaches us always to pray, and not to faint: and, though the answer does not come presently, yet to wait for it.

To this question immediately and without hesitation they said, “Yes, Lord.”

“According to your faith will it be unto you.” Lord Jesus Christ touched their eyes. And immediately their sight was restored.

Note, Faith is the great condition of Christ's favors. They, who would receive the mercy of Christ, must firmly believe the power of Christ. What we would have Him do for us, we must be fully assured that He is able to do. “And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who seek Him.” Heb 11:6

So with the sinner or spiritual blind person. If he/she has faith in the Son of God; if he/she believes that Lord Jesus Christ is able and willing to save him/ her: and if he/she earnestly desires to be saved, the power of Jesus will be put forth to the full extent of his/ her faith.

This is simple lesson of faith in Lord Jesus Christ. “According to your faith will it be unto you.”

Rev. Varinder Kumar

Faithful, Fearless and Fighting Spirit

Reading: II Samuel 23:8 - 12

When we look at the account of the mighty men of David we see that Eleazar, son of Dodai the Ahohite was one of the three. This is mentioned in verse9. The three qualities of this mighty man of David were:

1. Eleazar was a Faithful man
2. Eleazar was a Fearless man
3. Eleazar was a man who was full of Fighting spirit

He remained with his master – David during his time of difficulty and crisis. He never left him according to verse10. When others retreated he stood his ground and struck down the Philistines with his sword. We see the quality of faithfulness in Eleazar here.

Secondly he was a Fearless man. He did not run at the time of battle but he fought fearlessly against the enemy – the Philistines. He fought till his hand grew tired. He did not fear the great army of the Philistines but persevered till they got victory.

Thirdly and lastly, Eleazar was a man with full of Fighting Spirit. He consistently fought and it is written in verse 10 that his hand froze to the sword. He kept on fighting till the LORD brought about a great victory that day.

Lesson to learn and implement:

What about us? As God’s children we ought to be faithful, fearless and of a Fighting spirit. People should testify about us that if they assign a task to us, then we will surely and faithfully complete it. They should also trust us to be fearless people, who will not grow weary and tired till we accomplish the given task. Lastly they should have that testimony about the children of God that we have a fighting spirit. That we will be people of victory and will fight till the battle is won.

By Steven Christian