You Can Have My Heart
Written by Jarred Rushing
(7 minutes)
As Jesus left the house, two blind men began following him, shouting out over and over, "Son of David, show us mercy and heal us!" And they followed him right into the house where Jesus was staying. So Jesus asked them, "Do you believe that I have the power to restore sight to your eyes?" They replied, "Yes Lord, we believe!" (Matthew 9:27-28)
Why is Jesus always asking, what seems to be, the most insensitive questions? If not insensitive, then definitely the most obvious questions!
These blind men just stammered through a crowded town, tripping over every unseen obstacle in their way and drawing the attention of every onlooker because of their loud, continual shouting. They just barged into someone else's home just because Jesus was in the house. I don't know about you, but doesn't it seem obvious that they believe that Jesus can restore their sight? If I'm one of the disciples, I would probably be turning towards Jesus as He's asking this question with a puzzled face and squinting eyes, thinking to myself, "Jesus, what do you mean? Why would these guys go through everything that they've been through if they didn't believe that you could heal them? Of course, they believe!"
But still, in light of everything that these blind men just endured, Jesus asks the question, "Do you believe that I have the power to restore sight to your eyes?"
Why does Jesus ask this question?
Because the motive of our heart isn’t always clear to us or the world, but it’s always clear to Abba. Yahweh said it plainly to Samuel when picking a new king that "man looks at the outward appearance, but Yahweh looks at the heart." (1 Samuel 16:7)
The same acts that flow from love can sometimes look identical to the self-earning that flows from fear. It's the posture and motive of the heart that separates the two. It's possible to read the Bible every day, pray often, and serve in ministry, but do it all from a place of fear, shame, and self-earning. It's also possible to do those same things from a place of intimacy and union. It all comes down to the motive of the heart and Jesus wants our heart. Listen to Jesus' words in Matthew 7:
"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter into the realm of heaven's kingdom. It is only those who persist in doing the will of my heavenly Father. On the day of judgment many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, don't you remember us? Didn't we prophesy in your name? Didn't we cast out demons and do many miracles for the sake of your name?' But I will have to say to them, 'Go away from me, you lawless rebels! I've never been joined to you!'" (Matthew 7:21-23)
Jesus makes it abundantly clear to us here that we can be doing some pretty incredible things, but not from a place of life-union and love for Him. We can do all sorts of things in His name, but not from a place of intimate fellowship and being joined to Him. And remember from Hebrews 11:6, it's not these great works that please Abba, but our faith, the restful trust that these works flow from, that pleases Him.
Let me give you another picture of this in family life. Sometimes our kids clean up their room because they don't want to get in trouble. Sometimes our kids clean up their room because they want something. Sometimes our kids clean up their room because they love us and want to partner with us in cleaning our home. A clean room doesn't tell the whole story. The posture of the heart does.
So Jesus bypasses everything these blind men have done and goes straight for the heart, because with the heart man believes. So He asks, "Do you believe that I have the power to restore sight to your eyes? I know everything that you have been through and all that you have done to get to this moment, but is your heart truly convinced that I can do this for you?"
I must be honest with you, the deeper you go in intimacy with Yahweh the more it becomes about your heart.
These blind men push deeper and deeper into the presence of Jesus and are met with a question about their hearts.
We all have something in our lives that we want to be different. And we are pushing deeper and deeper into intimacy with Jesus. And as we get closer we will begin to hear His voice speaking tenderly to...our heart.
Is your heart truly convinced that Jesus can restore sight to your eyes?
Is your heart truly convinced that Jesus can restore your health?
Do you believe that He can restore your marriage or your strained relationship with your children?
Do you believe that He can restore your life to a place of wholeness, innocence, and purity?
Every question that Abba asks is an invitation to sit at His table and enjoy a meal that He has prepared for you. Every question is an invitation to a deeper measure of intimacy. And as you get more acquainted with the goodness of Yahweh, your heart will become fully convinced of what He can and is most willing to do on your behalf. Faith, restful trust, is not just believing that He can, but it's also believing that He wants to. Abba needs you to know that He doesn't just possess the power and ability to perform this thing in your life, but He also possesses the deepest and most extravagant love and desire to do it just for you. When He asks the question, “Do you believe that I can do this?”, He wants your whole heart to respond with confidence, “Yes Abba, I believe!”
God, I invite your searching gaze into my heart.
Examine me through and through;
find out everything that may be hidden within me.
Put me to the test and sift through all my anxious cares.
See if there is any path of pain I'm walking on,
and lead me back to your glorious, everlasting ways--
the path that brings me back to you.
(Psalm 139:23-24)
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Worship: "Have My Heart" by Maverick City Music
Honor: Give Online to The Wilderness Place
Share With Us: We would love to hear how you're encountering Abba in your daily walks. Don't hesitate to share what you're hearing, seeing, or sensing in His presence. Email us here!
