PASSAGE: Matthew 9:27-31
SERIES SUMMARY
As Jesus steps onto the scene of history, Matthew paints a picture of him that invites our participation in what Jesus is doing. The portrait is that Jesus is the True King who is bringing the kingdom of heaven to earth. This good news is not reserved for especially religious people in a distant future; it’s good news, right now, for ordinary people who come to Jesus in faith.
And while Jesus inaugurated the kingdom among us through teaching and serving in dozens of ways, he ultimately brought heaven to earth by embracing the cross as his throne and wearing thorns as his crown. In doing this, he broke the powers of the kingdom(s) of this world and opened up God’s new world through his resurrection. Now, because of these things, discipleship to Jesus is about praying and living “Your kingdom come, Your will be done.” It is about whole-life transformation and embodying kingdom realities. It is about becoming people who naturally live out what Jesus taught. Today, because of Matthew’s witness and Jesus’ ministry, the kingdom is coming in our own lives, “on earth as it is in heaven.”
PASSAGE GUIDE
In Matthew 9:27–31, two blind men follow Jesus, crying out, “Have mercy on us, Son of David.” Their blindness is a real, painful condition, yet they recognize something about Jesus that many others have missed. By calling him the Son of David, they identify him as the promised King. Their request also reveals what they believe about his character: he is someone to whom needy people can appeal for mercy. What we believe about Jesus shapes how we bring our needs to him. These men come with nothing to offer and every reason to hope in his compassion.
When Jesus enters a house, the men come to him. He asks, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” They answer, “Yes, Lord.” Jesus directs their attention to his ability. Their confidence rests in Jesus. Their movement toward him gives visible expression to that trust: they follow, cry out, and come. We, too, are invited to bring our needs honestly and specifically to Jesus. Trusting his ability allows us to ask boldly while entrusting the outcome to his wisdom and will, as the leper did when he prayed, “Lord, if you will, you can make me clean” (Matthew 8:2).
Jesus touches their eyes and says, “According to your faith be it done to you.” Their eyes are opened. Jesus himself accomplishes the healing; their faith rests in his power. His touch reveals the compassion with which he exercises his authority. The promised King moves toward people in their suffering and restores what they cannot repair. This miracle offers a glimpse of the restoration his kingdom brings. It does not promise that sufficient faith will secure every healing we desire today. When suffering continues, we can keep coming to Jesus without concluding that his mercy has failed or that our faith must be inadequate.
Jesus then sternly warns the men to tell no one, but they spread his fame throughout the district. Matthew does not explain the reason for the command here, though it reminds us that Jesus directs his own mission. The men’s response also introduces a sobering tension: people who trust Jesus for healing can still fail to obey his word. Receiving his mercy calls us to listen to him and follow his direction.
The identity of this merciful King becomes clearest at the cross. The Son of David gives his life to save sinners, and his resurrection secures the future restoration his healings anticipate. His grace gives us reason to keep bringing him the needs we cannot resolve. We can ask for healing, seek help, grieve honestly, and invite others to pray with us. True faith brings our need to the merciful and able Jesus while entrusting the outcome to his wisdom and will.
HIGHLIGHTS
- True faith brings our need to the merciful and able Jesus while entrusting the outcome to his wisdom and will.
- Relentless trust keeps bringing our needs to Jesus without demanding the answer we want.
- Faith rests in Jesus’ power and compassion, not in our ability to believe strongly enough.
- Mercy is never owed. Mercy is received.
- The merciful King moves toward broken people with compassion and authority.
- Jesus’ death and resurrection secure the final restoration his healings preview.
*We are a church located in Greenville, South Carolina. Our vision is to see God transform us into a community of grace passionately pursuing life and mission with Jesus.
SUGGESTIONS FOR COMMUNITY GROUP QUESTIONS
These are “suggested” questions. You do not have to go through every single one of them. Remember: the text is the focus; the sermon is a commentary. Discuss and apply in the group.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS (Read Matthew 9:27-31)
- What stood out to you from the passage?
- In verses 27–28, what do the men’s words and actions reveal about how they approach Jesus?
- “Son of David” identifies Jesus as God’s promised King. How does that title shape our understanding of the men’s appeal for mercy?
- What does Jesus’ question, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” reveal about what their faith rests upon?
- What do Jesus’ touch and healing reveal about his character?
- What tension do you notice between the men’s response to Jesus in verse 28 and their response to his instruction in verses 30–31?
- How do Jesus’ death and resurrection give us reason to trust his mercy when suffering continues?
- When a need remains unresolved, how does that affect the way you approach Jesus?
- What ongoing need would you like us to bring to Jesus with you in prayer?
- What would it look like this week to ask Jesus boldly for something you deeply desire while entrusting the outcome to him?
LIFE ON MISSION THIS WEEK
- Pray: Ask God to show you one person to intentionally encourage this week with the hope of the gospel.
- Serve: Compassion Weekend | We will need volunteers to man tables for Compassion child sponsorships on Sunday, October 11. We need 34 volunteers at Hwy 14 location and 16 volunteers at Adams Mill location for each service. You can register online under “Events” to serve during our Compassion Weekend!