Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing: for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert. – Isaiah 35:5-6
Most of us take our sight and hearing for granted. Only when we suffer loss of these blessings or witness another suffering with blindness or deafness do we begin to treasure these abilities. Some have tried to understand what is like to go blind or deaf by wearing a blindfold or plugging up their ears, but such experiences always fall short simply because they are temporary, and they end as soon as the impairment is removed. However, whether is healing from a lifetime suffering or removing the blindfold after a few minutes, the relief from sensory deprivation is remarkable. In the case of spiritual sight and hearing, we are all born blind and deaf. We need the Great Physician to heal us and make us whole.
Healing should always glorify God, and healing that gives someone the ability to recognize the giver of sight and hearing is a double or triple blessing. More than any other before Him or after Him, Jesus went about healing all manner of infirmity, but healing those born blind was considered one of His greatest miracles. In fact, hardly anyone could believe it. The Scriptures record how the man healed in John 9, said, “Since the world began was it not heard that any man opened the eyes of one that was born blind” (John 9:32). Truly this act was a wonder.
However, the greatest miracle is not in having one’s eyes or ears opened to see and hear but to recognize that the healing came from God the Father and Christ Jesus the Son. When the Pharisees and religious leaders in the synagogue discovered that Jesus had healed the man in John 9, they accused the newly healed man of lying and fraud. When he confirmed and reaffirmed the truth of his miraculous healing, he was denounced and lumped together with Jesus followers as a sinner. Tired of their accusations and lies, the man said of Jesus, “If this man were not of God, he could do nothing” John 9:33. And then they put him out of the synagogue, but Jesus came to him.
Having eyes and ears that see and hear the Truth of Christ is a blessing. Others may call us liars or fanatics. They may condemn us. In the end, we should rest assured that we recognize Christ as the Savior. If He accepts us, we need no other approval.
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