Faith, Obedience, and the Invitation of Jesus

Devotional

Day 1: Faith That Pursues Jesus Relentlessly

The two blind men in Matthew 9 did not let their limitations or obstacles stop them from seeking Jesus. Even when Jesus did not respond immediately, they persisted, following Him into the house and boldly declaring their faith that He could heal them. Their pursuit was not passive; it was active, determined, and humble, showing us that true faith is not just a belief in what Jesus can do, but a willingness to keep seeking Him even when answers are delayed or the path is unclear. Their story reminds us that persistent faith is honored by God, and that sometimes, the journey of seeking is as important as the miracle itself. [21:38]

Matthew 9:27-31 (ESV)
As Jesus passed on from there, two blind men followed him, crying aloud, “Have mercy on us, Son of David.” When he entered the house, the blind men came to him, and Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” They said to him, “Yes, Lord.” Then he touched their eyes, saying, “According to your faith be it done to you.” And their eyes were opened. And Jesus sternly warned them, “See that no one knows about it.” But they went away and spread his fame through all that district.

Reflection: Where in your life do you need to persistently seek Jesus, even when you feel ignored or discouraged? What would it look like to keep pursuing Him in that area today?

Day 2: The Kingdom Welcomes the Outcast and Restores Community

Jesus’ miracles in Matthew 8 and 9 are not just about physical healing—they are invitations into a new kind of community. He restores sight, speech, and hearing, making it possible for those who were once excluded to fully participate in the life of God’s people. The kingdom Jesus brings is radically inclusive, breaking down barriers and welcoming those who have been kept at a distance. This is a call to see others as Jesus does, to extend welcome and belonging, and to recognize that God’s heart is for restoration and community for all. [13:33]

Matthew 9:32-33 (ESV)
As they were going away, behold, a demon-oppressed man who was mute was brought to him. And when the demon had been cast out, the mute man spoke. And the crowds marveled, saying, “Never was anything like this seen in Israel.”

Reflection: Who in your life or community might feel excluded or overlooked? How can you extend the welcome and restoration of Jesus to them this week?

Day 3: Obedience Even When We Don’t Understand

After healing the blind men, Jesus sternly instructed them not to tell anyone, but they immediately went out and spread the news. Their excitement is understandable, but their disobedience reveals a deeper issue: it is one thing to believe in Jesus’ power, but another to trust His wisdom and goodness enough to obey even when we don’t understand the reason. True discipleship means following Jesus’ instructions, not just when they make sense to us, but because we trust His heart and His authority as Lord. [28:05]

Luke 6:46-49 (ESV)
“Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you? Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and does them, I will show you what he is like: he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when a flood arose, the stream broke against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built. But the one who hears and does not do them is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. When the stream broke against it, immediately it fell, and the ruin of that house was great.”

Reflection: Is there an area where you know what Jesus is asking of you, but you’re hesitating because you don’t understand why? What step of obedience can you take today, trusting His goodness?

Day 4: The Difference Between Knowing About Jesus and Surrendering to Him

Many in the crowd were amazed by Jesus’ miracles, but amazement is not the same as surrender. Some rejected Him, some were content to watch from a distance, and some received His gifts but did not follow His instructions. The real question is not whether we acknowledge Jesus’ power, but whether we are willing to lay down our own kingdoms and build our lives on Him as the true foundation. Surrender means letting go of control, trusting His ways above our own, and making Him the center of our priorities and decisions. [39:59]

Romans 12:1-2 (ESV)
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you are still holding on to your own way instead of surrendering to Jesus? What would it look like to lay that down and trust Him fully?

Day 5: Relationship, Not Just Rules—Building on the Foundation of Christ

Jesus invites us into a relationship, not just a rule-following religion. He is not a distant king handing down arbitrary commands, but a loving Lord who desires intimacy, trust, and friendship. The foundation that endures is not built on mere compliance, but on knowing and loving Jesus, letting His life and teaching shape every part of who we are. When we build our lives on Him, we find joy, hope, and a kingdom that is worth everything. [42:57]

John 15:14-15 (ESV)
You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.

Reflection: How can you intentionally deepen your relationship with Jesus this week—not just following rules, but seeking to know Him as friend, Lord, and foundation?

Sermon Summary

In Matthew 8 and 9, a series of miracles unfolds, each one not just a display of power but an invitation into the new community and kingdom Jesus is building. The healings of the leper, the centurion’s servant, Peter’s mother-in-law, and now the blind men and the mute demoniac, all point to a God who draws near to those who have been kept at a distance—those who are outcast, unclean, or unable to fully participate in community. Jesus’ miracles are not random acts of kindness; they are signs that the kingdom of God is breaking in, welcoming those who were once excluded.

The story of the two blind men is especially significant. Though they cannot see, they recognize Jesus as the “Son of David”—the promised Messiah—and cry out for mercy. Their faith is persistent; even when Jesus does not respond immediately, they follow him into the house, undeterred by obstacles. Jesus asks if they believe he can heal them, and when they affirm, he touches their eyes and restores their sight. Yet, he sternly instructs them not to tell anyone. Despite this, they cannot contain their excitement and spread the news.

This moment raises a crucial question: Is it enough to believe in Jesus’ power, or are we called to trust his goodness and obey even when we don’t understand? The blind men receive their sight but miss the deeper invitation to trust and obey the Lord, even when his instructions are mysterious. The following healing of the mute demoniac further emphasizes that Jesus’ work is not just about individual restoration but about restoring people to community and relationship.

The crowd’s reactions vary—some are amazed, some are skeptical, and some, like the Pharisees, reject Jesus outright. Matthew leaves us with a challenge: Where do we fit in this story? Are we content to be amazed from a distance, to receive blessings but ignore obedience, or will we build our lives on the foundation of relationship and trust in Jesus as King? The kingdom Jesus offers is of incomparable value, but it requires surrender, trust, and a willingness to let go of our own kingdoms. The invitation is to move beyond mere association with Jesus and to build our lives on him, trusting his goodness even when we don’t have all the answers.

Key Takeaways

1. Faith is more than belief in God’s power; it is persistent pursuit and trust in his goodness, even when his timing or methods are unclear. The blind men’s journey—following Jesus despite obstacles—shows that faith often requires perseverance and humility, not just a moment of belief. [21:22]
2. Obedience to Jesus is not always about understanding the “why” behind his commands, but about trusting his character. True discipleship means following Jesus’ instructions even when they don’t make sense to us, because we trust that he is good and his ways are higher than ours. [29:38]
3. The miracles of Jesus are invitations into community and relationship, not just personal restoration. Healing sight, speech, and hearing are about restoring people to full participation in the kingdom, reminding us that God’s work in our lives is always meant to draw us closer to him and to others. [13:33]
4. There is a subtle danger in wanting the benefits of Jesus’ kingdom without surrendering to his lordship. Like the blind men who disobeyed Jesus’ command, we can be grateful for what he does for us but resist the deeper call to trust and obey him fully, especially when it costs us our comfort or understanding. [33:44]
5. The foundation of a life that endures is not rule-keeping or mere admiration of Jesus, but a relationship built on trust, surrender, and obedience. Jesus invites us to build on the rock by hearing his words and putting them into practice, knowing that his way is life-giving and transformative, even when it challenges our own kingdoms. [40:13]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[06:15] - Worship: The Battle Belongs to God
[07:28] - Scripture Reading: Matthew 9:27-34
[09:33] - Context: The Miracles of Matthew 8-9
[11:00] - The Outcasts Welcomed In
[12:45] - Miracles as Invitations to Community
[15:26] - The Blind Men’s Persistent Faith
[17:38] - The Significance of “Son of David”
[18:52] - Jesus’ Delayed Response and the Test of Faith
[22:36] - The Touch of Jesus and the Restoration of Sight
[25:07] - The Command to Silence and the Blind Men’s Disobedience
[29:03] - Trusting God’s Goodness Beyond Understanding
[33:44] - The Danger of Partial Obedience
[35:27] - Healing the Mute Demoniac and Community Response
[39:12] - Building on the Rock: Obedience and Relationship
[43:18] - The Invitation: Surrender and Foundation in Christ
[44:56] - Prayer and Reflection

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Matthew 9:27-34 — As Jesus went on from there, two blind men followed him, calling out, “Have mercy on us, Son of David!” 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. Then he touched their eyes and said, “According to your faith let it be done to you”; and their sight was restored. Jesus warned them sternly, “See that no one knows about this.” But they went out and spread the news about him all over that region. While they were going out, a man who was demon-possessed and could not talk was brought to Jesus. 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.” But the Pharisees said, “It is by the prince of demons that he drives out demons.”

Observation Questions

What title do the two blind men use for Jesus, and why is this significant in the story? ([16:21])
How do the blind men show persistence in seeking Jesus’ help, even when he doesn’t respond right away? ([21:22])
What does Jesus command the blind men to do after healing them, and how do they respond? ([25:07])
How do the crowds and the Pharisees react differently to the miracles Jesus performs? ([36:44])

Interpretation Questions

Why might Jesus have delayed responding to the blind men’s cries for mercy? What does this reveal about faith and perseverance? ([20:26])
The blind men believe in Jesus’ power, but do not obey his command to keep silent. What does this suggest about the difference between faith in Jesus’ ability and trust in his goodness and authority? ([29:38])
The healing of the mute demoniac is described as restoring someone to community. Why is restoration to community such a central part of Jesus’ miracles in these chapters? ([13:33])
Matthew ends this section by highlighting different responses to Jesus’ miracles. What does this variety of responses teach us about the nature of true discipleship? ([37:21])

Application Questions

The blind men followed Jesus into the house, undeterred by obstacles. Is there an area in your life where you have given up too soon in seeking God’s help? What would it look like to persist in faith this week? ([21:22])
Jesus’ command to the healed men didn’t make sense to them, but he expected obedience. Can you think of a time when God asked you to do something you didn’t understand? How did you respond, and what did you learn from that experience? ([29:38])
The miracles in Matthew 8-9 are about more than personal healing—they are invitations into community. Is there someone in your life who feels like an outsider? What is one practical way you can invite them into community this week? ([13:33])
The crowd was amazed, but the Pharisees rejected Jesus. Are you more likely to be a spectator—amazed by what God does but not personally involved—or are you building your life on Jesus’ words and ways? What is one step you can take to move from amazement to active trust? ([38:05])
The sermon warns about wanting the benefits of Jesus’ kingdom without surrendering to his lordship. Are there areas in your life where you want God’s blessings but resist his authority? What would surrender look like in that area? ([34:59])
Jesus says the foundation that endures is a life built on hearing and doing his words. What is one specific teaching of Jesus you struggle to put into practice? How can your group support you in taking a step of obedience this week? ([40:13])
The invitation is to move beyond mere association with Jesus and build your life on him. What is one thing you need to let go of in order to make Jesus the true foundation of your life? ([43:35])

Sermon Clips

There are numeric miracles here at the end that are invitations into community. kind of like these others were invitations into a community, but they're invitations to community in a different sort of way. Because if you were paying attention as we read, you'll notice that our first group are what? What's their problem? [00:12:38]

But now to kind of wrap this up, it's kind of been a mess of healings and miracles that have happened that are bringing restoration, but they're also teaching of the kingdom. They're teaching this mindset of what it means for this new kingdom to be open to other people. [00:14:09]

There's been this introduction to a kingdom that we are called to be a part of. first by relationship with God himself through Jesus in his sacrifice, but then also remembering Jesus's words that it's not just love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength, but it's also to love your neighbor as yourself. [00:15:01]

This son of David term is a looking towards the one who will eventually come out of David's line of his lineage of his blood his family to sit on that throne. to rule forever. And here these blind men, though they cannot see, they have probably heard of this Jesus, the things he is doing. [00:17:30]

We have talked about this expression of that faith and a desire to see his work come to life in their lives. That's happening here. But there are very important details in those first lines we need to pay attention to. When he entered the house, the blind men approached him. [00:18:38]

Again, blind men continuing to follow a crowd and making their way into this home. This isn't just a simple, oh yeah, we we'll just keep an eye on where he goes and we'll follow him. Not to be insensitive, they're blind. So this effort that's put forth to continue to pursue him, to continue to cry out, "Have mercy on us." [00:21:24]

Maybe, just maybe, Jesus isn't sure if they really have the faith. They say they have the faith. He asks them the question, "Do you believe that I can do this?" They have declared he's the Messiah. Maybe he just wants to get into the house where it's a little quieter and other people won't see what's going on. [00:21:57]

He touches their eyes and puts his hand in this probably disturbing and not pleasant area of their eyes because as they deal with this eye condition, it is probably not very appealing. It's probably kind of nasty. And so, does he need to touch? No. We know that just a chapter earlier, he just spoke the word and they were healed because they had faith. [00:22:59]

Their eyes were opened. The question is, what does that mean? Their eyes were opened. They can see. We know that physically they're able to see now. But are they also able to see the beauty of what has been done for them? Has their heart been open to this faithful devotion to the Messiah, to the Lord that they have proclaimed. [00:24:41]

You see, there is a difference sometimes in believing that God is capable of doing something. I believe God that you can do this. But there's a big difference in believing God is capable and believing that God is good and I can trust him even if I don't understand why it's good. [00:29:23]

Knowing that you have the power, knowing that you are the Messiah, knowing that you are the king, the ruler, the one who was spoken of, knowing that you have that authority, yet also kind of keeping a safe distance and saying, um, just like we would many other authorities, as long as I'm cool with what you're telling me to do, I'll do it. [00:31:44]

We can have faith and trust, but we can also sometimes just focus on what we want to get out of something, how it benefits us and not see the person behind it. The kingdom is good, but Jesus is what makes it good. He is the representation of God's word made flesh. He is the word come to life, living among us. [00:42:20]

Everything that is good about God's way is represented in who Jesus is and what he teaches. And when we see him, when we know him, when we recognize him and learn to walk in that way, that is where we find our joy, our hope, our everything. [00:42:54]

Relationship and intimacy help bring this kingdom to a place that no other kingdom can go. Helps us put a trust in the instruction that no other kingdom can offer. And Matthew and Jesus are saying, "Do you really want to follow me or do you just want association? [00:43:18]

Because it is the foundation that stands the test of time. And that's the question this section leaves us with. You've seen a picture of what it is. What do you want to do with it? Am I Lord? Do you trust me? Have you put your faith in me? Are you willing to follow and lay other things aside? [00:43:49]

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