SPREAD HIS FAME!

SPREAD HIS FAME!

Matt 9:27-31

27 And when Jesus departed thence, two blind men followed him, crying, and saying, Thou Son of David, have mercy on us.

28 And when he was come into the house, the blind men came to him: and Jesus saith unto them, Believe ye that I am able to do this? They said unto him, Yea, Lord.

29 Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you.

30 And their eyes were opened; and Jesus straitly charged them, saying, See that no man know it.

31 But they, when they were departed, spread abroad his fame in all that country.

          One portion of the well-known hymn, Amazing Grace, says: “was blind but now I see.” Try to imagine what it would be like to be totally blind. Not only is nature’s beauty hidden to you but many of the simple obstacles of life are hidden as well. You keep tripping over what is obvious to others!

          We who have been enlightened by the Gospel sometimes marvel at the foolishness of the lost. They persistently make foolish decisions that hurt themselves and others. We think to ourselves “Can’t they see what they are doing?” No, they can’t see because they are spiritually blind. When Jesus comes and opens our eyes we are able to avoid the many things that used to trip us up.

          Jesus’ demand to “see that no man know it” must have been made tongue-in-cheek. It is human nature to tell good news – especially to our friends. We tell when we have found a bargain at some store. We tell when we have found an effective treatment for the sniffles. We tell where the good things can be found. How can we keep secret that we have been made to see?

          The word “fame” is the Greek word diaphemizo which means “to report thoroughly” or “to blaze abroad.” It seems there is only one letter’s difference between flame and fame. Well, I just can’t keep it to myself! I once was lost but now I’m found – was blind but now I see. Jesus is passing by and He will not turn anyone away. Cry out to him in your blindness and see!

Dear Lord, thank you for opening my eyes. I can’t keep this news to myself because there are so many stumbling in their own darkness. AMEN