In the Gospel of Matthew it is recorded that one day Jesus was followed by two blind men who cried to him to have mercy on them. Not having been able to approach him, they did not hesitate to follow him into the house where he went. Seeing their faith, Jesus asked them, "Believe ye that I am able to do this?" They answered, "Yea, Lord." Then Jesus, touching their eyes, and saying to them, "According to your faith be it unto you," healed them instantly.
This healing of the two men is remarkable, not only because of its nature and its spontaneity, but also for the illustration it gives of true faith, that ardent and sincere faith which has no tincture of doubt; faith such as Jesus recommended to his disciples.
No serious student of the Bible can fail to observe that faith holds a large place in the teachings of Jesus. He often insisted on the necessity of having the faith which "removes mountains," and repeatedly he reproached his disciples for their lack of faith. He considered it, moreover, an indispensable element in the healing of the sick, saying in one case, "Thy faith hath saved thee;" in another, "Thy faith hath made thee whole." Those who were thus healed understood but little the teachings of Jesus, which oftentimes were given in parables; but, amazed and convinced by the miracles which they saw, they believed in Jesus and in the works which he accomplished in the name of the Father. It was evidently faith without understanding, but such as it was it accomplished wonders.
