In The Footsteps Of The Master: The Life and Times of Jesus Christ Healing of Two Blind Men, A Mute Demoniac and A Blasphemous Accusation September 20, 2009 Matthew 9:

2 Men Visually Deficient 27As Jesus went on from there, two blind men followed him, calling out, "Have mercy on us, Son of David!" 28When he had gone indoors, the blind men came to him, and he asked them, "Do you believe that I am able to do this?" "Yes, Lord," they replied. 29Then he touched their eyes and said, "According to your faith will it be done to you"; 30and their sight was restored. Jesus warned them sternly, "See that no one knows about this." 31But they went out and spread the news about him all over that region.

Ignored Why do you think Jesus ignored these men at first and went indoors? Jesus seemed to be avoiding public titles that would be regarded as political. Son Of (King) David title used (militaristic) Who seemed to be overly concerned with power and politics? Why are Christians so caught up in politics if Jesus wasn’t?

Worldly Matters Maybe we are too attached/concerned with this world. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. - Romans 12:2 Very divisive subject.

On the other hand We are the only nation with In God We Trust on our currency. God warned Israel that if they failed to trust Him they would become in debt to the foreigner (Duet 28:44) ,000 murders 50 million aborted babies since ROE Vs Wade 55 percent of women and 60 percent of men admit to extramarital affairs

More good news By age 19, 75% of women and 80% of men have had premarital sex 4 billion dollars spent annually on pornography US has over 2 million people in prison (highest number in the world) Some think morality can be legislated through government (politics) What should our response be?

Reason Jesus warned them sternly, "See that no one knows about this.“ The strong emotional comment of Jesus is noteworthy. The Greek term suggests an angry, snorting rebuke, "See to it that you tell no one!" Why did Jesus warn them? Perhaps Jesus knew that the two blind men saw him as a militaristic messiah.

Disobedience 31But they went out and spread the news about him all over that region. Why do you think these guys didn’t heed “stern” warning? (This happened more than once) Overwhelming Gratitude? Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. Then will the lame leap like a deer, and the mute tongue shout for joy. -Isa 35:5,6

Amazed 32While they were going out, a man who was demon-possessed and could not talk was brought to Jesus. 33And when the demon was driven out, the man who had been mute spoke. The crowd was amazed and said, "Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel." 34But the Pharisees said, "It is by the prince of demons that he drives out demons."

Unique Demon This Demoniac was not violent and vocal. Some regard this demoniac as being the victim of combined physical and spiritual maladies It is more likely that the dumbness was caused by the demon Since in some instances they deprived men of reason Others threw men into convulsions or distortions (Mark 5:15) Mark 9:18 Luke 13:11,16)Mark 5:15Mark 9:18Luke 13:11,16 The response of the crowd affirms the uniqueness of this healing

THE Big No No Jesus doesn’t deal with the Pharisees blasphemy here. Why? If WE* are correct in our chronology, Jesus had already fully answered this charge. See Matthew 12:27Matthew 12:27 *Our A Harmony of the Gospels –(1932) Unforgivable Sin

Gearing up for the Sending What is the one thing you cannot do in heaven? Share your faith with a nonbeliever! When Jesus sent His disciples out, He didn’t make it optional for some of His followers to share their faith. What was the first thing Jesus said to His followers? “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men” – Matthew 4:19

One parting thought “To be a soul winner is the happiest thing in the world. And with every soul you bring to Jesus Christ, you seem to get a new heaven here upon earth.” – Charles Haddon Spurgeon When was the last time you talked with a lost person? Many would say that is truly when you find out what you have in Jesus. We are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. " Eph 2:10

14 Next Week SPECIAL TOPIC: A History of the Family of Herod