GOSPEL OF MATTHEW - OPEN, MOVE, SEND

Matthew 9:27-38

If you remember last week we looked at Matthew 9:14-26 and Faith that reaches and raises and discussed that Faith, relationship with Jesus, transforms empty religion and that faith reaches out even in desperation, we don’t have to change clothes or get right first before reaching out to Christ and that faith raises the dead, we saw the first of 3 resurrections of other people before Jesus’ crucifixion – death isn’t final with Christ – its new beginnings.

Today we look at how Jesus opens eyes, moves heats and sends out hands into the harvest – so as we begin, let us pray!

Sermon Title:

Eyes Opened, Hearts Moved, Hands Sent

Matthew 9:27-38 – And 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. 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.” But the Pharisees said, “He casts out demons by the prince of demons.” And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”

Big Idea:

When Jesus opens our eyes to His mercy, He calls us to share His compassion and join His mission to reach the world.

Point 1 – Jesus Opens Blind Eyes (vv. 27–31)

Illustration:

Cultural Counter-Example: Culture often says, “You just need to find your own truth.” But Jesus shows us there is only one truth—Himself (John 14:6). Without Him, we’re still in darkness even if we think we can see.  Imagine fumbling through a dark room, bumping into everything, until someone turns on the light. Suddenly, what was confusing becomes clear. Faith is like that light switch.

Key Idea: Faith in Jesus brings spiritual sight where there once was darkness.

Mercy is not an emotion – it is response to the need that the person can meet themselves

He does not acknowledge them

They follow Him into the house, asking for mercy and healing

He questions them – it is more than showing up – it is confessing

He reaches out and touches them – He heals them – He heals differently

There is a need for persistence in our prayers – how often do we pray once and not get an answer so we move on

Persistence of faith – remember the parable of the seeds and 4 soils

Supporting Scriptures:

John 9:39 – “Jesus said, “For judgment I came into this world, that those who do not see may see, and those who see may become blind.”

Psalm 119:18 – “Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law.”

Open-ended Questions:

1. In what areas of your life do you feel like you’re still stumbling in the dark?

2. How does trusting Jesus bring clarity and direction to your daily choices?

3. Why do you think Jesus sometimes waits for us to ask in faith before opening our eyes?

Point 2 – Jesus Sets the Captive Free (vv. 32–34)

Cultural Counter-Example: Culture tells us, “Freedom means doing whatever you want.” But that often leads to deeper bondage—addiction, emptiness, broken relationships. Think of a bird trapped in a cage—beating its wings but never free—until someone unlocks the door. Jesus sets us free from what keeps us bound.  True freedom comes only when Jesus unlocks the cage and sets us free to live God’s way. 

Key Idea: The mercy of Jesus not only heals but also delivers us from bondage.

John 8:36 – “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”

Greek word here is kophos – deaf and mute – cured from both

Sometimes faith produces miracles – like 2 blind men

Sometimes miracles produce faith – like mute

Hearts can be so hard not even a miracle can produce faith

Supporting Scriptures:

Galatians 5:1 – “For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.”

Colossians 1:13 – He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son,

Open-ended Questions:

1. What “cages” do people often find themselves trapped in today (fear, sin, addictions, shame)?

2. How has Jesus set you free from something that once controlled you?

3. How can we show others that freedom in Christ is real and available?

Point 3 – Jesus Calls Us to the Harvest (vv. 35–38)

Cultural Counter-Example: Culture says, “Focus on your own goals, your own success, your own comfort.”But Jesus says the harvest is urgent—lives are at stake—and He calls us to step beyond self-interest to serve others and bring them to Him.  Picture a farmer standing before a golden wheat field ready for harvest, but without workers, much of it will spoil.  Jesus sees people like that field—ready but waiting.

Key Idea: When we see with His eyes and feel with His heart, we are moved to labor in His harvest – we are not content for people to die in unforgiven sin – we look past the hurt they cause to see they are hurt and their words, their actions maybe a result of their pain.

He had compassion on them – empathy, kindheartedness – the Greek word – splagchnizomai - splangkh-nid'-zom-ahee – Strong’s definition – to be moved as to one's bowels, hence to be moved with compassion, have compassion (for the bowels were thought to be the seat of love and pity) – as

Sheep w/o a shepherd – they had the Pharisees and Scribes and Priests – they only studied about God – a Shepherd will go to the flock and lead and teach and serve. 

They became like predators – they were the ones harassing and not helping those in needs

A shepherd serves the needs of the flock not the other way around

A shepherd sees the needs and will do something about it.

Instead of being shepherds, they themselves (P,S,P) became predators to the point of calling God, calling Jesus an agent of satan if not satan himself.

The Greek for send out – is to thrust out – to have a fire lit under them – we need to reignite the fire and passion to be mission for God – to do His Work

We are all called to be like Jesus – with compassion –

This last phrase will launch us into chapter 10 in two weeks.  The harvest is plentiful but the laborers are few!

Supporting Scriptures:

Luke 10:2 – “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the Harvest to send out laborers into the harvest

Romans 10:14–15 – “How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”

Open-ended Questions:

1. What stops us from joining in God’s harvest—fear, busyness, comfort?

2. How does compassion motivate us to step out and serve others?

3. Who is one person God may be calling you to “harvest” by praying for, serving, or sharing the gospel with this week?

Closing Idea:

Jesus doesn’t just heal eyes and loosen tongues—He awakens our hearts with compassion and sends us out with a mission. To follow Him means to see the world as He sees it, to feel what He feels, and to act as His laborers in the field.

Final Summary:

Matthew 9:27–38 shows us the heart of Jesus:

He opens blind eyes through faith.

He sets people free from bondage.

He calls us into the harvestwith His compassion. The question is not whether the harvest is ready—it is whether we are willing to see, to care, and to go.

Let us Pray!