3/26/2020 Thursday

Matthew 9:27-38(NLT)
"27 After Jesus left the girl’s home, two blind men followed along behind him, shouting, “Son of David, have mercy on us!”
28 They went right into the house where he was staying, and Jesus asked them, “Do you believe I can make you see?”
“Yes, Lord,” they told him, “we do.”
29 Then he touched their eyes and said, “Because of your faith, it will happen.” 30 Then their eyes were opened, and they could see! Jesus sternly warned them, “Don’t tell anyone about this.” 31 But instead, they went out and spread his fame all over the region.
32 When they left, a demon-possessed man who couldn’t speak was brought to Jesus. 33 So Jesus cast out the demon, and then the man began to speak. The crowds were amazed. “Nothing like this has ever happened in Israel!” they exclaimed.
34 But the Pharisees said, “He can cast out demons because he is empowered by the prince of 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.”

Today we are reminded of Jesus’ healing power in light of the suffering in the world. Similar to the scripture for last Sunday's sermon, here we encounter two blind men who, in opposition to their seeing peers, identify Jesus as the "Son of David." This reference means they believed Jesus to be the long-awaited Messiah. Jesus goes on to perform many other miracles from there, but the title, "Son of David," should not be overlooked because it helps us to understand the purpose of these healings. There were those who, if given the power to heal, would do so to garner favor and power with the people.
Jesus' intent was very different. He did not heal to impress the crowds; he did so from a place of compassion "because they were like sheep without a shepherd.” He came not just to be a healer but to be the good shepherd, much like his ancestor King David. He is still that same shepherd to us today. We, like sheep, have much to be afraid of and are vulnerable. Let us take comfort in the knowledge that we are not abandoned because Jesus cares for and protects us as our shepherd.

Do you feel vulnerable and afraid? How can you cast your worries on Jesus today?