FAITH TO RECEIVE (MATTHEW 9:18-34)

Faith to Receive: A Reflection on Matthew 9:18-34 Faith is often described as the confidence that God exists and that He rewards those who seek Him. In the context of our daily walk with Christ, “faith” is the quiet, steady trust in God’s power, even when circumstances look impossible. To “receive” is to actively accept…

Jean-Paul Agidi

Apr 28, 2026

3–5 minutes

Faith to Receive: A Reflection on Matthew 9:18-34

Faith is often described as the confidence that God exists and that He rewards those who seek Him. In the context of our daily walk with Christ, “faith” is the quiet, steady trust in God’s power, even when circumstances look impossible. To “receive” is to actively accept what God has promised or to welcome His intervention into our lives. These two concepts—faith and receiving—are deeply connected. Without faith, we often miss the blessings God has standing right in front of us.

The passage in Matthew 9:18-34 provides a powerful lesson: our faith is the bridge between our human limitations and God’s divine power. The background of this text is set in a time when Jesus was travelling from town to town, teaching and performing miracles. He was constantly surrounded by crowds, yet He took time to listen to individuals who dared to approach Him with bold, expectant hearts.

Key Lessons from Matthew 9

The events in this passage teach us that faith is not a passive feeling, but an active response to God’s presence.

1. Faith looks beyond the obvious

When a synagogue leader came to Jesus, he did not focus on the hopelessness of his situation. He had every reason to be discouraged, yet he chose to believe. “My daughter has just died. But come and put your hand on her, and she will live.” (Matthew 9:18).

Most people would have given up at the news of death, but this ruler recognised that Jesus’ authority extended beyond life and into the realm of the impossible. True faith often requires us to look past what our eyes see and instead focus on what Jesus can do.

2. Faith takes the initiative

The woman who had been suffering from bleeding for twelve years is a beautiful example of persistent faith. She was considered ‘unclean’ by the standards of her time, yet she did not let shame or fear hold her back. She thought to herself, “If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed.” (Matthew 9:21).

She did not wait for Jesus to notice her; she moved toward Him. She took a step of faith. Often, we wait for God to do everything for us, but the Bible shows that when we move towards Him, He is ready to meet us. Jesus turned, saw her, and encouraged her: “Take heart, daughter… Your faith has healed you.” (Matthew 9:22).

3. Faith expresses itself through persistence

The two blind men in the passage did not stop when they faced barriers. They followed Jesus, crying out, “Have mercy on us, Son of David!” (Matthew 9:27). When they reached the house, Jesus asked them a crucial question: “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” (Matthew 9:28). They answered, “Yes, Lord.” Their faith was simple, honest, and persistent. Jesus responded by saying, “According to your faith let it be done to you.” (Matthew 9:29). This serves as a reminder that God invites us to vocalise our needs and be specific about what we are asking Him to do.

Conclusion

In these verses, we see a recurring theme: Jesus is not limited by our problems, but He is moved by our faith. Whether it was the ruler with the dead daughter, the woman with the long-term illness, or the blind men, everyone who received a miracle first had to bring their need to Jesus with the belief that He could change their situation.

Call to Action:

Today, consider what area of your life feels like it needs a miracle. Do you have the faith to receive? I encourage you to stop worrying about the impossibility of your situation and start focusing on the One who is with you. Take that small, courageous step towards Jesus today. Tell Him what you need, believe that He is able, and trust Him with the outcome.

A Prayer for Faith

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your Word. Help me to have the faith of the people in Matthew 9—the faith that does not look at the size of the problem, but at the power of Your love. Remove my doubts and help me to be persistent in my prayers. Give me the courage to step out and believe that You are able to do exceedingly more than I could ever ask or imagine. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.