²⁷ As Jesus went on from there, two blind men followed him, calling out, “Have mercy on us, Son of David!”

²⁸ When 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.

²⁹ Then he touched their eyes and said, “According to your faith let it be done to you”; ³⁰ and their sight was restored. Jesus warned them sternly, “See that no one knows about this.” ³¹ But they went out and spread the news about him all over that region.

³² While they were going out, a man who was demon-possessed and could not talk was brought to Jesus. ³³ And 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.”

³⁴ But the Pharisees said, “It is by the prince of demons that he drives out demons.

³⁵ Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. ³⁶ When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. ³⁷ Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. ³⁸ Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”

Fighting Against Satan

Jesus, you were accused of being on Satan’s side when you weren’t.  I hate being falsely accused and I will often go too far in defending myself, but you not only carried on with the work.  You didn’t defend yourself all the time, but asked others to join you.  I don’t pray about evangelism and mission enough.  I pray that I would have it as a priority.  I do see that North America is a mission field and I am sending Christian teachers out to help stem the exodus of Christian children from the churches.  I want, though, for you to reach all those who stand outside the faith.  I want you to motivate people to talk about their faith.  I think many of your children lack confidence.  The older generation can be ineffective at communicating your dogma.  They seem to have little relationship with those younger than themselves.  Help us to live for you and also strike up authentic relationships with those who are not like us.  I don’t see many Christians striking up relationships with Muslims and Hindus.  When we do make new relationships its often with lapsed Catholics or disillusioned Baptists.

Help us, Jesus, to be looking for opportunities to free the oppressed from Satan and sin’s power.  Help us to know the truth and to see you affecting all of life.  Help us to naturally befriend people.  We are too wrapped up in tasks and people become resources or obstacles.  Help us to see humanity as sheep without a shepherd and to reach out with guidance.  It is not arrogant to hold out Truth for others to live by.  Yet I do fear people and their reaction.  Help me to see your love overwhelming my fears.

Questions

1. What miracles did Jesus do in this passage?
2. How did the leaders of Israel respond?
3. How did Jesus respond to the plight of the masses in Israel?
4. What are the needs of people in your country?
5. How is Jesus working through you to meet people’s deepest needs?