Can Jesus See My Faith?

While studying some of Christ’s miracles this week, I was intrigued by a phrase in Matthew 9:1 that reads “and Jesus seeing their faith.” (also found in Mark 2:5). This phrase is in reference to the four friends who carried their friend to Jesus to be healed. I was struck by this phrase because normally we refer to faith as something that we can’t see, (“if ye have faith ye hope for things which are not seen, which are true.” Alma 32:21, italics added), but in these verses it says that Jesus was able to see their faith. So I asked myself, “in these stories of miraculous healings, what attributes did these people have that allowed Jesus to see their faith?"

• How did the four friends show their faith? Through grit. When the traditional way to get to Jesus wasn't going to work, they didn't give up. Instead they tried something different. They knew Jesus could heal their friend and they weren't going to give up when they were so close. How can we follow the example of these four men and show Christ our faith? By persevering even when things get hard. (Mark 2, Matthew 9)

• How did the women with the issue of blood show her faith? Through courage. Because of her health condition she was considered ritually unclean and that means she would have been an outcast in her community for twelve years (New Testament Student Manuel). For her to press through a crowd to reach Jesus would have taken an immense amount of courage. How can we follow her example and show Christ our faith? By having the courage to come to Christ even when it's against the culture of our day. (Mark 5, Matthew 9)

• How did Jairus show his faith? Through worship. Although Jairus is one of the rulers of the local synagogue he seeks out Jesus and kneels before Him to ask Him to heal his daughter. How can we follow Jairus's example and show Christ our faith? By worshipping Him privately and publicly. (Mark 5, Matthew 9)

• How did the blind men show their faith? Through testimony. After Christ touched the eyes of the two blind men so that they could see, they testified and shared their witness to others about how Christ had healed them. How can we follow the example of the two blind men and show Christ our faith? We can bear our testimony to others about how Christ has touched our lives, opened our eyes and healed us from our infirmities. (Matthew 9)

Faith was an attribute that was present in the lives of each of the individuals that experienced the miracles. Pres. Nelson has said "it it our faith that unlocks the power of God in our lives." (Christ is risen; faith in Him will move mountains) If we're looking for ways to increase our faith so that we can unlock the power of God in our lives, these stories provide examples of the attributes we can work on that will help to increase our faith.