Blind Encounters
When Moses objected to a return to Pharaoh of Egypt because he was not a gifted speaker, “The Lord said to him, ‘Who has made man’s mouth? Or who makes him mute or deaf, or seeing or blind? Is it not I, the Lord (Ex 4:11)?’” God has His eternal purpose for creating people with disabilities; therefore, it is against the Law of God to mistreat the disabled, “You shall not curse a deaf man, nor place a stumbling block before the blind, but you shall revere your God; I am the Lord (Lev 19:14).”
There was an expectation in the prophecies of the prophet Isaiah that the blind and the deaf would experience miraculous healing at the hands of the Messiah, when He came (Is 29:8; 35:5). These disabilities were also terms of chastisement against Israel, Yahweh’s servant. His people had eyes and ears, but they could not see or hear God’s judgment against their sins (Is 42:14–25; 43:8).
The enfleshed Son of God (Jn 1:14), was sent from God the Father (Jn 3:16), to fulfill the eternal purpose of God in Christ (Eph 3:11), which was to reconcile His chosen people (2 Cor 5:18–20), from every nation, tribe, and tongue (Rev 5:9; 7:9 = the world). It was sin, the sin of Adam (Gen 3; Rom 5:12), that separated men from God, even as it did the rebellious angels. Original sin is inherited by all sons of Adam, conceived in sin, in their mother’s womb (Ps 51:5). The fall of creation, because of sin, maligns everything to some degree.
First, all illness is the result of sin. Second, some illnesses are the result of personal sin (1 Cor 11:28–29). Third, innocents often suffer the consequence of other’s sin. Fourth, some illnesses are not the result of personal sin (Job, Paul…Gal 4:13; 2 Cor 12:7). Finally, the man born blind in John 9 falls into a category of a specific moment, to reveal that Jesus is the Light of the world (Jn 8:12; 9:5).
Suffering is a major biblical theme. It is often disregarded by the health and wealth prosperity preacher because it does not fit their false gospel narrative. Jesus suffered, as did the prophets before Him and the apostles after Him. Christian history is filled with accounts of those persecuted for their faith in Jesus Christ (Mt 5:10–12)…some even to the point of death, at the hands of the enemies of God (Jn 16:2).
Central to our Christian faith is our trust that God is good, and that He works all things together for good, for those who love Him, and who are called according to His purpose (Rom 8:28). We accept suffering from the sovereign providence of our heavenly Father, who shows us the cross and what was ordained for His only begotten Son. Only when we learn about why the sinless Son suffered at the hands of sinners, do we see the amazing goodness and grace on our behalf.
Jesus encounters the blind for the purpose of fulfilling His messianic role. When John the Baptist, who was suffering in prison at the time, made his final inquiry of Jesus’ identity, “He (Jesus) answered and said to them, ‘Go and report to John what you have seen and heard; the blind receive sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the poor have the Gospel preached to them (Lk 7:22).’”
The witness of Jesus’ good works should leave no doubt that all He did was good and obviously that He was God with us, our Emmanuel (Is 9:6; Mt 1:23). By signs and wonders, word and deeds, Jesus made His case, for the whole world to know that the Father had sent His Son into the world, on a mission of reconnaissance — to bring back the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Jesus was the true Israel (Is 49:3), and His body of redeemed people, share His name…Israel (Is 49:6).
Having come for His own, our Lord Jesus now sends His holy nation into the world (Acts 1:8), to steward the mystery of the Gospel and perform the good works God prepared beforehand for His royal priests to do (Eph 2:10; 1 Pet 2:9). God’s chosen people are encouraged to redeem the time, during the remainder of our stay, in the dark world (Col 1:13), which is under the dominion of Satan (Acts 26:18).
Just like the man born blind, who received his sight after obeying Jesus’ commands, we who have had our spiritual sights given to us by the Spirit of Christ, must bear witness to what we know of this Jesus, who gave us eyes to see and ears to hear.
With our dead souls now made alive (Eph 2:5; Col 2:13), by the regeneration of the Holy Spirit (Jn 3:1–8; 1 Pet 1:3), we pick up our mat and walk with beautiful feet, to spread the Good News about who Jesus is and what He has done for us and for others (Acts 1:8). We must not grow weary in doing good (Gal 6:9; 2 Thess 3:13) because our lives are but a vapor (Jas 4:14).
Who will believe our report? We, too, will encounter many who are spiritually blind to their plight of sin and need for the Savior. We speak the truth in love to them (Eph 4:15), trusting that He that is in us (1 Jn 4:4), is still performing miracles in the souls of those who were chosen, redeemed, and regenerated — to believe and follow Jesus.
These are the works we must work while it is yet day (Jn 9:4). God is still with us, and although we have not seen Him, we love Him (1 Pet 1:8). Our hope is in Him (1 Tim 1:1), who has promised and who ever proves faithful and true (Rev 19:11). We serve; we suffer; and we speak of the excellencies of Him, who brought us in His marvelous light (1 Pet 2:9). Can you see that?
David Norczyk
Spokane Valley, Washington
December 26, 2022
