When You Are Alive

Introduction

When Jesus departed from there, two blind men followed Him, crying out and saying, “Son of David, have mercy on us!” And when He had come into 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 let it be to you.” And their eyes were opened. And Jesus sternly warned them, saying, “See that no one knows it.” But when they had departed, they spread the news about Him in all that country. As they went out, behold, they brought to Him a man, mute and demon-possessed. And when the demon was cast out, the mute spoke. And the multitudes marvelled, saying, “It was never seen like this in Israel!” But the Pharisees said, “He casts out demons by the ruler of the demons.”  Matthew 9:27–34

Physical conditions reveal spiritual realities. The challenge is for those who consider themselves spiritually alive to check that they do not remain blind or mute, but are seeing, hearing, understanding, speaking, and proclaiming the kingdom of God.

 Messianic Title: “Son of David”

The first use of this title Son of David was in Matthew 1:1, and then in Matthew 1:20. Matthew continues to establish the heritage and lineage that the Messiah will come from the line of David.

The two blind men following Jesus call Him “Son of David”, a title for the Messiah. These two men may have been physically blind, but they saw the truth of Jesus’ identity more clearly than all those around them.

Messianic Promise: to heal the blind, deaf and dumb

According to the Old Testament, one of the signs of the Messiah is that He would work miracles, including giving sight to the blind (Isaiah 29:18 and 35:5–6). Other Scripture references can be found in Psalm 146:8 and Isaiah  42:7, 16, 18.

Authority over Sickness and Disease

Matthew was written to a Jewish audience, and there is a requirement of Jewish Law to provide two witnesses for a matter to be established (Deuteronomy 19:15). Thus, Matthew mentions the two demoniacs in Matthew 8:28-24 and the two blind men in Matthew 9:27-31.

Authority over Demons: Cast out demon

Sickness can be caused by demons but not all sickness is due to demonic attacks.

We know that Jesus can cast out demons (Matthew 8:30-32).

Faith

The blind men had displayed faith by declaring who Jesus is in Matthew 9:27. It is recorded in Matthew 9:29 that “According to your faith let it be to you.”

Jesus responds to faith – the faith of the leper, the faith of the centurion, the faith of the paralytic, the faith of the ruler, the faith of the woman with bleeding.

Mercy: “Have mercy on us!”

This is the first time we see Mercy being mentioned as a request by the blind men. Although it was demonstrated by others through their postures of worship and submission. Faith is always coupled with mercy and grace which brings forth a promise (Romans 4:16 and Ephesians 2:8 ). Once again, we see that faith is never used as a tool of entitlement. It is the posture of humility and submission that is important. Our confidence must not become presumption or arrogance.

Physical Conditions. Spiritual Realities

Consider the final set of miracles which deals with “Asleep, Blind and Mute”.

Jesus ‘awakens’ the girl in Matthew 9:24, and Lazarus in John 11:11. If sleep is a euphemism for death, then awakening is for life. Jesus opens the eyes of the blind, bringing sight, and He restores speech to the mute.

To put it another way, when you are alive, you see, hear, speak and act. Physical conditions reveal spiritual realities. In Spiritual life, there is a spiritual sight with kingdom declarations and purposes. When you are alive and not seeing and declaring, what does that mean then?

Biblical Patterns: Seven Examples to Consider

Isaiah – In Isaiah 6:1-10, He “saw the Lord sitting on a throne” and “heard the voice of the Lord”. Having received instructions, Isaiah went and carried out His commands.

Jesus: Mysteries of the Kingdom are for People who are Alive
In Matthew 13:11-16, Jesus teaches that the mysteries of the kingdom are revealed to those who believe. The truth will be concealed from the hardened hearts. Paul quoted the same passage in Acts 28:25-28.

Jesus then gives a blessing in Matthew 13:16-17 because their hearts are open to God’s word.

Jesus: Spiritual Blindness
In John 9:39-41, Jesus light to those who are spiritually blind. Jesus is the Word and the Life that is found in Him as written in John 1:4. Jesus is the Abundant Life (John 10:10) and the Eternal Life (John 3:16; 17:3).

Paul Acts 9:1-22
Paul encounters the life and light of Jesus (Acts 9:1-9) where his eyes opened, and scales fell off (Acts 9:10-19). “Immediately he preached Christ…” Acts 9:20-22.

Paul: to the Ephesians
We are dead in sins but made alive in Christ (Ephesian 2:1-10). Paul tells the Ephesians that believers are seated with Christ in heavenly places, far above all principalities and powers. We have a hope of His calling, seeing the glorious riches of His inheritance and partakers of His fullness.

Paul’s prayer was for spiritual eyes to be opened to see and understand (Ephesians 1:17). When believers are alive, eyes, ears, and mouths are opened, the result is in faithfulness in works.

Church in Sardis: If the church is alive, then there is no such thing as a dead church? What does Jesus say in Revelation 3:1 “And to the angel of the church in Sardis write, ‘These things says He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: “I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead.”

Revelation 3:2-3 warns us to be watchful [arise, awake, eyes opened to see], and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God. Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you.

Believers are to speak and act, warn and encourage others (Revelation 3:4–6). One can be alive, but dead if he ceases to see and hear what the Holy Spirit is showing and saying.

Jesus says “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” Revelation 3:6. Dead things have no place in the Book of Life.

Jeremiah (Archippus Awakening)
Jeremiah 1:4-17  is God’s call on Jeremiah to bring God’s word to the people. Jeremiah was specially asked what he saw, and then to arise and speak to the people. This was his awakening.

Archippus Awakening: Awakened. Aligned. Assigned

To be awakened is to be spiritually alive. Being aligned through spiritual insight and understanding, having the ability to see what God is showing us, and hearing what God is saying. Only then will God assign us to speak, awakening and warning others. To encourage and act on our assignments

Advancement of the Kingdom of God: Oppression & Opposition

Spiritual oppression is seen when the demons keep the man from speaking (Matthew 9:33). The Pharisees also opposed the work of Messiah and His kingdom as they were the institutional opposition. It is always easier to do and play church. But try living the kingdom, and all sorts of accusations are hurled at you.

The King promises to be with us (Jeremiah 1:18-19). If you need to fear, then Fear The Lord, not demons, nor men.

Conclusion

People marvelled when Jesus taught with authority (Matthew 7:28-29) They marvelled when Jesus’ demonstrated that authority in Matthew 9:33. Do not just see the miracles and miss the Messiah. Jesus is worth following, and do expect opposition when you follow Jesus. When you are alive, your eyes will be opened to see, ears to hear, your mouth will be opened to declare and proclaim the kingdom. Be awakened, aligned and assigned for Jesus and His kingdom.