The disciples raise a question. “Was it because of sin?” Not a crazy question. Several occasions of sickness as a result of sin in the Old Testament, and yet not all cases were. The entire story of Job points out that a person can suffer without sin as the cause. Hezekiah contracted a terminal illness that was not related to sin, in 2 Kings 20:1-6. Many people were healed and therefore able to have children without mention of sin as a cause. Both of the boys who were raised from the dead, by Elijah and Elisha, did not die as a result of sin. The disciples had learned that there could be more than one cause for sickness. They are trying to learn spiritual perspective from Jesus.
Jesus believed the miracle of healing the blind to be significant.
“The Lord opens the eyes of the blind; The Lord raises up those who are bowed down; The Lord loves the righteous;” – Psalm 146:8
“And when he comes, he will open the eyes of the blind and unplug the ears of the deaf.” – Isaiah 35:5
Jesus is revealing and confirming His identity as Messiah Savior. This is further proof of His identity as Messiah.
“and recovering of sight to the blind,” – Luke 4:18
“Go back to John and tell him what you have heard and seen – the blind see,” – Matthew 11:4-5 Luke 7:21-22
The cause of illness and Jesus’ method of healing can vary. Jesus knows that we’re not all the same.
Jesus transcends the limitations of our natural world.
The blind man knew that no one who had been born blind had been healed.
In answer to Elisha’s prayer, God struck the enemy blind and later restored their sight, 2 Kings 6:18-20.
“Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘Who makes a person’s mouth? Who decides whether people speak or do not speak, hear or do not hear, see or do not see? Is it not I, the Lord?’” – Exodus 4:11 God, our Creator and Redeemer, has the power.
Jesus gave the blind man the ability to see. The man responds to Jesus with worship. It’s a personal worship relationship. The man points to Jesus as his healer.
The Pharisees are wrestling with issues of identity, questioning the Son of God. They’re arguing about the cause, method. They’re pointing to the mistakes of the blind man. They’re rejecting the identity of Jesus, but they cannot deny the miracle.
What do we learn about Jesus?
Jesus heals the blind.
Jesus brings healing to what had limited the man, all his life
Jesus is the proven Savior.
Jesus is more powerful than our limitations.
How should we respond?
Receive and believe in Jesus as Savior.
Receive healing to what has limited you.
Point to Jesus as the source of new life and your healing.
Like the disciples, let’s walk the journey of faith together.