Blog Details

“As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. And his disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him.” (John 9:1-3) 

But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. (2 Corinthians 4:4)

Jesus healed many blind people during his short three years of earthly ministry. I can imagine it is because the eye is so key to seeing and understanding the beauty of God’s creation, it must be a tremendous experience to have your sight miraculously restored by Jesus. It occurred to me in reflecting on this today that many people might pause and ask, “Why did God allow these people to be blind in the first place”?  As the disciples asked Jesus, do bad things happen to us because we have sinned? Was being blind “God’s will”? Jesus’ answer to this is paramount…” that the works of God might be displayed in him”.

While it is an amazing thing to see physical healings, signs, and wonders, I am now convinced it is even more amazing to see people “healed” of spiritual blindness. In the end, its actually more crucial that people are healed spiritually than physically since the word tells us, “If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell. (Matthew 5:28)”.

If you are going to demonstrate the power of diety or a healing gift, I would think restoring someone’s eyesight would be most significant for gaining their thanks and adoration…now that they can see you. Yet, based on my personal life experience I now believe that restoration of faith from spiritual blindness is more significant and miraculous than the physical restoration of sight. It has more eternal consequences.

As the passage above suggests, Jesus was saying that God allows these bad things to happen so that in the long run HIS glory may be revealed and restore faith including all the benefits of spiritual regeneration to a believer. I have experienced this miracle going on two years ago, and I can attest to how it has changed my life from the inside out for the better.

People are blind either physically or spiritually until GOD decides and reveals his power to heal us. Even “religious people” are blind to the truth of the Gospel. The Bible says unless the spirit draws him or her, we are dead or blind in our iniquity. 1 Peter 1:3 tells us “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead”. This for me explains the great mystery I have considered most of my life relating to why some people seem to understand and accept God’s grace and plan so much easier than others. It is “God’s call”.

The cause and effect of our faith are not about us or any other person. God ultimately calls those whom he will to faith and purpose in him. He has not made us all alike. Faith and spiritual healing are not by works “lest any man should boast”.  It is not because we are wonderful people that God has saved us. “While we were yet sinners Christ died for us”. So why do you think God calls some to salvation and heals them of spiritual blindness…and others not? Jesus didn’t heal ALL of the blind people around him. I don’t think I will ever fully know the answer to that question in this life. Yet, I see it and now believe it. This is the magic of spiritual revelation in our short, inauspicious lives…His call and healing in our lives.

For those of us who God has miraculously called into a relationship with him, we should be so humble and thankful for that grace which he obviously doesn’t extend to all. The Bible is full of examples of imperfect people that God called to specific purposes, but it is fuller of people who either missed the calling or were so evil and disobedient that God “gave them over to their own lusts and depravity”.

I am one who but for the grace of God would still be blind and living in my own slavery to self and depravity. For some reason, God called me back to himself in my 60s. I still don’t understand all the reasons or have a total vision of my future, but he has given me spiritual eyes and emotions to simply experience the joy, love, and freedom that knowing him in his spiritual fullness brings even if I am still in the flesh. We are called to live by faith, not by sight, but the author and finisher of our faith is always there to guide and direct us…especially when the way gets dark and confusing. As Paul said, “For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. (1 Corinthians 13:12).

The miracle of Jesus healing our spiritual blindness is gradual and lifelong. Until we are with him, we will not “know as we are known”…but if we remain faithful until the end through the power of his spirit and his word, we will know him as he knows us because of the faith he has given us. The works of God will be revealed even through our imperfect, weak condition. What a wonderful promise and motivation to move forward…even in our distorted or limited vision…as he guides us to perfection.