Not a very well kept secret

Matthew 9:27-31

I wonder why Jesus didn't heal these guys right away? Maybe because, again, he didn't want to become too public a figure. Everything about Jesus' ministry is about timing. It seems clear that he knows that he is supposed to go public with his ministry and that going public will ultimately result in his death. It also seems clear that he has a very clear idea of when his death is supposed to occur - that the timing of it is very important. So, he waits until he is inside, away from the crowds who have been following him, before he heals these two blind men and then tells them to keep it quiet. This echoes his request at the beginning of chapter 8. In this case we know that it doesn't work very well: "they went out and spread the new about him all over that region." This echoes the statement in v.26. There is a sense of building momentum.
There is a significant question that Jesus asks the blind men; "Do you believe that I am able to do this?" It's an interesting question because it seems very obvious that the men did believe he could do it from their behaviour and request. However, it convicts me because I know there have been times where I've asked Jesus to do something but haven't really believed that he can or will. Immediately upon finishing my prayer, I am taking action on my own to answer my own prayer. I say I believe but my actions betray my lack of belief.