Today’s selected reading continues in the New Testament gospel narrative of the life and ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ as it was written and recorded by the apostle John. More specifically today’s passage begins with the thirty-fifth verse of the ninth chapter and continues through to the twenty-first verse of the tenth chapter. “Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when he had found him, he said unto him, Dost thou believe on the Son of God? He answered and said, Who is he, Lord, that I might believe on him? And Jesus said unto him, Thou hast both seen him, and it is he that talketh with thee. And he said, Lord, I believed. And he worshipped him” (John 9:35-38).

 

            “And Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind. And some of the Pharisees which were with him heard these words, and said unto him, Are we blind also? Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth” (John 9:39-41).

 

            “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers. This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them” (john 10:1-6).

 

            “Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not. Hear them. I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep. I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd. Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father” (John 10:7-18).

            “There was a division therefore again among the Jews for these sayings. And many of them said, He hath a devil, and is mad; why hear ye him? Others said, These are not the words of him that hath a devil. Can a devil open the eyes of the blind?” (John 10:19-21).

 

            JESUS HEARD THAT THEY HAD CAST HIM OUT! WHEN HE HAD FOUND HIM! When you come to this particular portion of Scripture you will find the conclusion of the narrative which surrounds the man who was born blind which received healing from the Lord Jesus Christ. As you come to this particular passage you will find it beginning with a similar context to that which is found in the fifth chapter of the same gospel written by the apostle John. Upon reading these words you will find that after the Jews and after the scribes and the Pharisees had cast this man who had been born blind and yet received healing from Jesus He found him in the midst of the city of Jerusalem. In all reality it is quite remarkable and astounding when reading the words presented before us as they call and draw our attention to the absolutely tremendous truth surrounding a Jesus who not only seeks to bring healing into our physical bodies but also a Jesus who finds us after the healing. WHEN JESUS FINDS YOU AFTER THE HEALING! WHEN JESUS SEEKS YOU OUT AFTER THE HEALING! WHEN JESUS SEARCHES FOR YOU AFTER THE HEALING! If there is one thing I can’t help but be absolutely gripped and captivated by when I read the words of this passage it’s how they seem to be in direct alignment with words Jesus spoke in the Sermon on the Mount. If you turn and direct your attention back to chapters five through seven of the New Testament gospel narrative written by the apostle Matthew you will find Jesus instructing His disciples to ask and it shall be opened, to seek and they shall find, and to knock and it shall be opened.

 

            Please do not miss the incredible significance of what surrounds the words Jesus spoke in His famous Sermon on the Mount for the words which Jesus spoke bring us face to face with the truth that we are encouraged to seek—and not only are we encouraged to seek but we are also given the promise that when we seek we shall find. The words which are presented before us in this passage bring us face to face with the fact that Jesus found this man after he had been cast out of the synagogue by the religious leaders and system of that day. As I sit here and consider this particular truth this morning I can’t help but think about the fact that in order for Jesus to find this man He would have had to have been searching for him. There is not a doubt in my mind that Jesus was not searching for this man within the city of Jerusalem that He might find him—especially when Jesus heard how they had cast him out. Perhaps one of the greatest truths found within this passage of Scripture is the fact that when Jesus heard how this man whom He had healed was cast out of the synagogue He diligently and immediately searched him out that He might find him. There is not a doubt in my mind that Jesus was going to allow this man to be healed and cast out and not seek after him that He might find him. I do not believe for one moment that Jesus did not have every intention of seeking this man out that He might find him. I do not believe that it was coincidence or happenstance that Jesus found this man in the midst of the city of Jerusalem—particularly and especially during a time of one of the feasts of the Jews. Undoubtedly Jerusalem would have been filled and full of countless men, women and families from throughout Judaea, Galilee and the surrounding regions, thus causing it be teeming and booming with life.

 

            I sit here this morning reading the words found in this passage of Scripture and I can’t help but be brought face to face with the fact that Jesus diligently searched for and sought after this man in order that He might find him. I am absolutely and completely convinced that when the apostle John writes concerning this man being cast out of the synagogue by the religious leaders and system of that day was heard by Jesus He sought to engage on a divine rescue mission of sorts. I have to admit that I absolutely love the words which are found in this passage of Scripture for it draws and calls our attention to the tremendous truth that this man was healed and given sight for the first time in his entire life. Here we have this man who was born blind and who had spent his entire life living in a world which he could not fully interact with and in the midst of that Jesus shows up, anoints his eyes with clay HE had made from the dirt of the ground and instructed him to wash in the pool of Siloam. Scripture is unclear as to how old this man who had been born blind was, however, we can safely assume that he was perhaps well into his adult years by the time Jesus shows up in his life. Oh this is something which is truly astonishing and amazing when you think about it for there were individuals who had illnesses, conditions, infirmities, sicknesses within their physical bodies and those which they dealt and struggled with while the Lord Jesus was present in the earth. Pause for a moment and consider the woman with the issue of blood who had that issue for twelve years before she dared stretch forth her hand and touch the hem of Jesus’ garment. Think about the woman who was bent over and could in no wise straighten or lift herself up whom Jesus revealed how Satan had bound her for eighteen years. Consider the man at the pool of Bethesda who suffered from an infirmity for thirty and eight years. Now consider this man who was born blind and how undoubtedly he was well into his adult years by this time.

 

            There is something to be said about the woman with the issue of blood, the woman who was bowed over, the man who suffered from an infirmity for thirty-eight years, and this man who was born blind for each of their needs reveals something quite remarkable. In the cast of the woman with the issue of blood and the woman who was bowed over and could in no wise straighten herself up we find their conditions beginning to take place while Jesus was present in the earth yet nothing would be done as it was not the appointed time. Stop and consider how Jesus might very well have been at least thirty years of age at this time which suggests that the woman who was bowed over and could in no wise straighten herself up and whom Satan had bound for eighteen years began suffering with that when Jesus was twelve years old. It’s quite possible that when Jesus was twelve years old and in the Temple of the LORD in the midst of the city of Jerusalem this woman began to be bound by Satan within her physical body. In the case of the woman with the issue of blood—assuming Jesus was at least thirty years of age at this time she would have began suffering from this issue of blood when Jesus was around eighteen years of age. Oh how incredible it is to think about the fact that the One who would and the One who could bring healing to their physical bodies was present in the midst of the earth and yet it wasn’t His time to be manifested nor was it their time to be healed. Oh think about the fact that these individuals would suffer with certain conditions within their physical bodies not knowing that the One who was going to bring healing unto their physical bodies was present in the earth and would one day heal them.

 

            Continuing along this same line of thinking I can’t help but think about the fact that the man whom Jesus found at the pool of Bethesda suffered from an infirmity for thirty and eight years. If we assume that Jesus was thirty years of age when he found him there at one of the porches at the pool of Bethesda then we must conclude that this man began suffering with this infirmity eight years before Jesus was even born of the virgin Mary in the town of Bethlehem. Even if Jesus was thirty-three years of age at the time He found this man at the pool of Bethesda that suggests he began suffering from this infirmity five years before Jesus was born of a virgin Mary in the town of Bethlehem. Not only did this man begin to suffer five to eight years before Jesus was born in the town of Bethlehem but he would suffer from it for almost four decades while Jesus was present in the midst of the earth. This man began suffering from this infirmity and continued to suffer from it not knowing the One who would and the One who could bring healing to his physical body would be and was born into the world. This man would suffer from this infirmity the whole time Jesus was growing up in the town of Nazareth not even being aware that the One who would and the One who was going to make him new was present in the earth. Oh I can’t help but wonder if Jesus was not aware of all those who were suffering and all those who were struggling during the first thirty years of His life before He would finally be publicly manifested at the Jordan River when the heavens were opened unto and before Him, when the Holy Spirit descended upon Him in the bodily form of a dove and when the voice of the Father spoke from heaven declaring this to be His beloved Son in whom He was well pleased.

 

            There is a part of me that can’t help but wonder if Jesus was very much aware of and very much in tune with all the suffering which was present all around Him during those years He spent in Nazareth and yet could do nothing about it until the appointed time. Despite the fact that there was a tremendous amount of suffering which would take place in the midst of the world during that time there was nothing Jesus would or could do because it wasn’t His time. This takes on an entirely different meaning as this man who was born blind and whom Jesus would heal undoubtedly was born either before Jesus Himself was born or after Jesus had been born in the town of Bethlehem. I can’t help but think about the fact that this man who had been born blind might very well have been born into blindness at a time when the Word which was made flesh and dwelt among us was actually present in the midst of the earth. Not only this but this man who was born into blindness during the time when the Word which was made flesh dwelt among us would continue to suffer with that blindness throughout the entire time Jesus was present and growing within the town of Nazareth. Oh this is something incredibly astonishing when you take the time to think about it for this man might very well have been born into blindness while Jesus was growing up and doing life as the Word made flesh with His brethren, with Mary and Joseph and with all those who were in Nazareth. Jesus would be growing up and experiencing life with those in Nazareth while this man would be suffering with blindness which he had been born with. How incredible it is to think about and consider this particular truth as it calls and draws our attention to the fact that the Lord Jesus was present within the earth and during those years He would spend in Nazareth there would be countless needs that would begin to manifest themselves in the land—needs which He would later enter into and introduce deliverance, healing, wholeness and forgiveness.

 

            The narrative of the man who was born blind is actually quite remarkable when you consider it in light of those individuals I just mentioned—the woman with the issue of blood, the man who suffered from an infirmity, and the woman who was bowed over—for these individuals began suffering and continued suffering while the One who would and could bring healing into their physical bodies was present in the earth. I cannot escape the tremendous truth that these individuals were not only present in the midst of the earth during the time in which Jesus was present in Nazareth but they were also suffering within their physical bodies and within their physical flesh. We dare not and must not miss and lose sight of this for it calls and draws our attention to the tremendous truth surrounding the fact that although these individuals would and could begin suffering during a time when the Lord Jesus was present in the midst of the earth and although they would suffer for an extended period of time the Lord Jesus Christ would show up at a time appointed by the Father in heaven and introduce healing and wholeness within their physical bodies. The woman who had the issue of blood would press her way through the crowd risking the hostile and angry looks of those whom she might have come in contact with that she might touch the hem of Jesus’ garment. As a direct result of her touching the hem of Jesus’ garment she would be made whole of the plague within her body as the fountain of blood would be dried up. For the man who had suffered with an infirmity for thirty and eight years Jesus would show up right where he was and heal him after nearly forty decades of suffering with this infirmity. For the woman whom Satan had bound for eighteen years bending her over and keeping herself from aligning and straightening herself Jesus would show up and not only heal and restore her but also deliver her from the bondage of Satan.

 

            What we find when reading the words found in the ninth chapter of this gospel narrative written by the apostle John is truly captivating when you take the time to think about it for it brings us face to face with a man who was born blind whom the disciples asked Jesus who had sinned that he had been born blind—this man or his parents. Jesus and His disciples passed by this man who had been born blind and both Jesus and His disciples saw him sitting there and the disciples dared to ask Jesus a question of original sin and deliberate and willful sin and its connection to infirmity, disease, suffering, and the like. The disciples asked Jesus a question of sin upon coming across this man who was born blind and yet Jesus would respond that it was neither this man nor his parents who had sinned but that the glory and works of God might be made manifest within his physical body and life. The disciples thought that sin was the answer and reason this man had been born blind and yet Jesus corrected their thinking and declared unto them that it was not this man nor his parents who had sinned. With this being said it is actually quite astonishing to think about the fact that this man was born blind and instead of his being born blind having anything to do with sin it would have everything to do with the works and glory of God being made manifest in his life. I am not sure whether or not I would declare and state that the Father deliberately and intentionally allowed this man to be born blind, however, the words of Jesus seem to suggest that his being born blind was designed and would be used that the glory and works of the living God might be made manifest in the midst of the earth. This man was born blind and was born into a world living in blindness—not because of any sin or transgression or rebellion but that the works and glory of God might be manifest within his life and physical body.

            I have to admit there is something to be said about the words which are found in this passage of Scripture as they seem to suggest that this man being born blind would have eternal significance and value in the sight and heart of the eternal Father. The words which Jesus spoke concerning this man wonderfully and powerfully suggest that although this man was born blind his blindness would be specifically designed and used by the eternal Father to introduce healing and deliverance within his physical body. We dare not and must not miss and lose sight of what is found in this passage of Scripture as it calls and draws our attention to the fact that this man would be born blind—and not only would be born blind but would suffer with that blindness his entire life—that the works and glory of God might be made manifest within his physical body. Although this man would indeed be born blind his blindness would not and was not destined to remain a continuous factor within his life. Oh it is true this man would be born blind and that this man would suffer with this blindness for his entire life and yet that blindness was never designed to consume his physical body for his entire life. Stop and consider the fact that this man would indeed be born blind and would walk in blindness for much of his life until Jesus would show up and find Him in the midst of the city of Jerusalem. This is something worth considering for not only was this man born blind that the works and glory of God might be made manifest within his physical body but also that he would not spend the rest of his life in blindness. It is truly something worth thinking about and considering this absolutely incredible truth for despite the fact this man was born this way and despite the fact that this man would live this way he would not have to remain this way.

 

            BORN THIS WAY, LIVING THIS WAY AND YET NOT DESTINED TO REMAIN THIS WAY! It is something worth thinking about when reading the words found in this passage for although this man was born blind and although he would live with that blindness for his entire life he would not remain nor was he destined to remain in that place and condition for the rest of his life. With this being said I can’t help but think about the fact that there is something truly powerful and prophetic within the narrative and testimony of this man for there are those present among us who might have been born with a certain condition or might have been born a certain way and yet they were never destined to remain that way. There are those among us who have been born a certain way and who have suffered from something within their lives for an extended period of time and yet they were not destined to remain that way. There is something to be said about the testimony and narrative of this man and how although he was born blind and although he would live with that blindness he would not remain blind. Although it was indeed true he would suffer and struggle with blindness his entire life he was not destined to remain blind. It is absolutely captivating to read the words found in this passage and consider the fact that this man was born blind and this man would live his life blind for a certain period of time and yet that blindness had an expiration date. It is this concept of having an expiration date that is absolutely captivating when you take the time to think about it for although there were individuals who suffered and struggled with certain infirmities and illnesses within their physical bodies for an extended and prolonged period of time those illnesses had an expiration date.

 

 

            THAT THE WORKS OF GOD MIGHT BE MANIFEST! THAT THE GLORY OF GOD MIGHT BE MADE MANIFEST! YOUR SIN HAS AN EXPIRATION DATE! YOUR SUFFERING HAS AN EXPIRATION DATE! YOUR STRUGGLE HAS AN EXPIRATION DATE! What I so absolutely love about the words found in this passage of Scripture is that although this man was born blind and although this man would live his entire life blind that blindness was never destined to remain and abide within his life forever. Although it was indeed true that he would have undoubtedly spent a considerable amount of time living and abiding with that blindness in his life it was never designed to remain. Stop for a moment and think about the fact that this is what Jesus might very well have meant when He declared unto His disciples that it was not this man’s sins nor the sins of his parents that caused him to be born blind but that the works of God might be made manifest within his physical body. It is truly something worth thinking about when reading the words found in this passage as it brings us face to face with the absolutely awesome and powerful truth that although this man would indeed be born blind and although this man would dwell and abide in this blindness for his entire life up to that point he would not continue to suffer from it. On this particular day the blindness which he was born with and the blindness which he had suffered from his entire life would indeed be brought to an end and drive out from his life. On this day Jesus would show up and not only anoint his eyes but also instruct him to go and wash in the pool of Siloam without giving him any clue or indication what would happen when he washed in the pool of Siloam. The only thing this man knew was that Jesus had anointed his eyes with clay He had made and instructed him to wash in the pool of Siloam. Oh imagine Jesus showing up within your life like He did this man who was born blind and doing something similar and instructing you to do something without at all telling you what would happen if you obeyed His word and instruction.

 

            The narrative of this man who was born blind is quite fascinating when you take the time to consider it as it calls and draws our attention to the truth that although he had been born blind and although he would live with that blindness for his entire life up to that point he would not remain blind. I am sure this man might very well have thought he was going to be blind and begging for the rest of his life and had absolutely no clue that Jesus would show up in his life on this particular day and bring healing and wholeness to his physical body. If there is one thing I absolutely love about what Jesus did for this man it’s that Jesus didn’t restore unto him his sight for having been born blind he would have never had his sight to begin with. That which Jesus did for this particular man was actually give unto him sight—give unto him something he never had throughout his life. When Jesus healed this man of blindness he in fact gave him something he never had up to that point—something he had not experienced at any point within his life. This man was born blind and would live with that blindness for his entire life up to that point and Jesus would show up and give him his sight—something which he had perhaps spent his entire life desiring and longing for. There is not a doubt in my mind that this man would spend his life wondering why he was born blind and would desire and long for the ability to see and perhaps thought and felt that he would never see the world around him. Oh he could hear the world around him, he could touch the world around him, and he could speak to the world around him and yet he would not be able to see that world. This man would spend his entire life up to that point being able to interact with the world around him in almost every way by one—the ability to see it with his own eyes.

            As I sit here this morning thinking about and considering the words found in this passage of Scripture I can’t help but consider the fact that this man would be born blind and this man would live blind and yet even with this being said he would not have to remain blind. Not only this but despite the fact that this man would be born blind and although this man would live blind he would not remain blind for the rest of his life. There would come a day which was divinely ordained and appointed by the Father when the eternal and only begotten Son of the Father would show up and would give unto this man his sight. When Jesus spoke of the works and glory of the Father being manifest in the life of this man there is not a doubt in my mind that this particular day was a divine moment orchestrated and ordained by the eternal Father. What I so absolutely love is that Jesus didn’t merely declare concerning this man that his being born blind was designed to allow the works and glory of God to be manifested in his life but He also stepped into this man’s world and offered him something he had previously not had before. This man was born blind and would grow up with that blindness his entire life and yet that blindness not only had an expiration date but was also directly linked to the works of God. How absolutely incredible it is to read the words found in this passage of Scripture and consider the fact that this man’s being born blind would be directly linked and connected to the works of God and to there being an expiration date for that blindness to no longer be manifested within his physical body. Although this man was indeed born blind and although this man would spend his entire life being blind he was never destined to remain blind.

 

            Permit me to take a step back right here and ask you how you relate to this man who was born blind—and perhaps not only to this man who was born blind but also to the woman who had the issue of blood for twelve years, the woman whom Satan had bound for eighteen years bowing her over and keeping herself from straightening and lifting herself up, and the man who suffered from an infirmity for thirty and eight years. If there is one thing each of these narratives and accounts have in common it’s that although these individuals suffered with something very specific within their lives and did so for an extended period of time there would be an expiration date attached to that which they struggled with. The more I read and consider the narrative surrounding these individuals the more I can’t help but come face to face with the fact that although they suffered and struggled with these things for an extended period of time it was not destined to last nor was it destined to remain within their physical bodies. Each of these narratives and accounts give a combined total of at least sixty-eight years of infirmity between three of these individuals. The combined total of the illness which the woman with the issue of blood, the woman whom Satan had bound, and the man who suffered from an infirmity is a total of sixty-eight years and yet when Jesus showed up He would entirely and altogether undo nearly seventy years of infirmity, illness and bondage. Oh stop and consider the fact that Jesus would show up in the world and would undo that which had taken place over almost seven decades. Jesus would show up and would undo an issue of blood which had lasted twelve years and would bring deliverance after eighteen years of bondage. Jesus would show up and would heal and restore a man after almost four decades of suffering from an infirmity.

 

 

            The narrative of the man who was born blind is something worth thinking about as his story wonderfully and powerfully suggests that his blindness—although he had been born blind—was never destined to remain and abide within his physical body. I am sure both this man and his parents thought that he would spend the rest of his life blind because he was born blind and would live with that blindness all his life. I am sure that those who knew this man and his family thought and perceived that he would spend the rest of his life blind—and not only blind but also begging alms of others whom he would encounter. The truth of the matter, however, is that this man would not live with that blindness for the rest of his life. Although he would live with that blindness for a certain period of time leading up to this point in time and although he might have thought he would be blind for the remainder of his life the works of God spoke a different word concerning him. The glory of the eternal Father would indeed speak an entirely different word concerning this man as the glory of the Father would give sight to this man after spending his entire life without it. Despite the fact this man was born blind that blindness was not destined to be a part of his life for the rest of his life. That blindness—even though he had been born into and born with it—would ultimately and inevitably be removed from his life. Even though this man perhaps had no reason to believe or expect this blindness to be removed from his life it was ordained and appointed by the eternal Father to give him his sight. Oh with this in mind I would dare say that the eternal Father had ordained and appointed sight for this man quite possibly from the time he had been born.

 

            There is a part of me that wonders if the eternal Father knew that this man would be born blind and I have to admit that knowing what I know of the omniscience of the eternal Father I would dare say that He was well aware of the fact that he would be born blind. With this being said, however, I am absolutely convinced that the eternal Father had already ordained and appointed sight for him. Although that sight wouldn’t come after he was born, and although that sight wouldn’t come during his childhood and adolescent years it would nonetheless come at a time ordained and appointed by the eternal Father. Although sight would not come to this particular man during his teenage and young adult years it would nonetheless come at a time appointed by the eternal and living Father. We dare not and must not miss and lose sight of this for it draws and calls our attention to the fact that even though this man had been born and even though this man had lived and dwelt with blindness sight had been appointed and ordained for him. Stop for a moment and consider how absolutely incredible this truly is for although he would be born blind sight was already ordained and appointed for him. OH it was indeed true that sight would not come for a significant portion of his life it would nonetheless come at a time ordained and appointed by the eternal Father. The sight which would be ordained and appointed for this man who was born blind was ordained and appointed when and after the eternal and only begotten Son would be manifested in the midst of the earth. How absolutely fascinating and incredible it is to think about and consider this incredible truth for it calls and draws our attention to the fact that while Jesus was sent to restore sight unto those who were blind He also came to give sight unto those who were blind. Although Jesus would restore sight to those who had for one reason or another become blind He would also give sight unto this man who had never seen or experienced sight at any point within his life.

 

            This man would be born blind and this man would spend his entire life up to this point living with that blindness and yet sight had been ordained and appointed for him. Oh I encourage you to stop and think about this for a moment for it has the ability to dramatically shift and shape how you think about the eternal Father and the divine plans He has for us. I read the words found in this passage of Scripture and I can’t help but think about the fact that quite possibly as soon as this man was born sight was ordained and appointed for him. Stop and consider the fact that although this man was born blind the eternal Father had already ordained and appointed sight for him. Although his parents might have wondered whether or not their son would ever see the eternal Father knew that there would come a day when their son would see for the first time. For this man it wouldn’t be a matter of being able to see again but rather being able to see for the first time. I absolutely love this particular truth for there are those whom the eternal Father restores their sight and allows them to see again while there are other individuals whom the eternal Father ordains and appoints them to see for the first time. There are those individuals whom the eternal Father has ordained and appointed sight—regardless of whether or not it is for the first time or for the second time. Within and throughout the life and ministry of the Lord Jesus there were those whom He would restore sight to while for this man He would receive sight for the very first time. RESTORING SIGHT, RECEIVING SIGHT! What a truly awesome and powerful truth this is when you take the time to think about it is it draws and calls our attention to the fact that this man was born blind and yet despite the fact he was born blind sight had already been ordained and appointed for him.

 

            I sit here thinking about and considering the words which are found in this passage and I can’t help but come face to face with what might very well be appointed and what has been appointed for you. I read the words present here in this passage of Scripture and I encounter the absolutely remarkable and powerful question of what has been ordained and appointed for you. There is not a doubt in my mind that sight had indeed been ordained and appointed for this man and that although he had been born blind he would receive sight for the very first time. This man would be born blind and would spend his entire life up to that point living with and living in that blindness and all the while he had absolutely no clue that the works of God were going to be made manifest within his life. This man would spend his entire life up to that point being entirely and altogether unaware of the fact that sight had been ordained and appointed for him and that He was destined to have an encounter with the Lord Jesus Christ. Oh we must needs recognize and understand that this man wasn’t merely ordained to experience the works of God within his life and within his physical body but he was also destined and ordained to encounter the person of Jesus Christ. ORDAINED TO EXPERIENCE THE WORKS OF THE FATHER, ORDAINED TO ENCOUNTER THE PERSON OF THE SON! It is something worth thinking about when reading this passage of Scripture that this man would live his entire life preparing him for this very moment when he would encounter the person of Jesus the Christ of Nazareth who would give unto him sight. Despite the fact he had been born blind and despite the fact he had spent his entire life living without sight he was destined to experience the works of the Father and to encounter the person of the Son.

 

 

            Oh dear brother, oh dear sister—I feel absolutely and entirely compelled to call and draw your attention to the narrative surrounding this particular individual for although He had been born blind and although he would spend his entire life living with that blindness it was ordained and appointed for him to both encounter the person of Jesus the Christ and to experience the works of the Father through Christ and within his physical body. Although this man had absolutely no reason to suspect either being manifested within his life we must needs understand and recognize that his entire life was preparing him for this moment and he would walk through life on a collision course with this encounter and experience—such that would give him sight for the very first time. It is something truly astonishing and remarkable to read the words surrounding this man for what we find and read concerning him is that his being born blind and his living with that blindness was ordained and appointed by the eternal Father that the works of God might be made manifest within his life. This man would indeed be born blind and he would indeed suffer from that blindness for his entire life up to that point and yet he had absolutely no idea that sight had already been ordained for him. It had already been purposed and ordained within the very heart and mind of the Father to give unto this man sight that he might see the world before and around him—not only for the very first time but also for the rest of his life. On this particular day this man was going to receive sight for the very first time and for the first time in his entire life would be able to see the world which was present all around him.

 

            With this being said I find it absolutely necessary to call and draws your attention to the words which are found in this passage of Scripture for after this man had received sight and began seeing the world for the very first time I am sure that he could have thought about all those years he moved through life unable to see. I can’t help but wonder if this man ever allowed himself to be caught up in thinking about his past and how he was blind and spent a considerable amount of time living in blindness. Is it possible that this man had those moments within his life when he looked back over his life and how he once was blind and yet now he sees—and not only sees but was able to see clearly? While it might not seem like this question has any significance or relevance I would dare say that we must recognize and understand its significance—not only for this man but also for us. I read the narrative concerning this man and I can’t help but think about the fact that he could have spent time thinking about how long he had spent blind and how long he had spent unable to see the world before and all around him and yet I am convinced that to do so would be entirely and altogether tragic for this man. We do know this man bore record and gave the testimony that he once was blind but now he sees and I have to think about and consider the fact that this man might have missed out on the world which was before him and the beauty which was before him if he allowed himself to think about the time and the years he had spent blind. I am sure that once this man opened his eyes and saw for the first time he would spend his days thinking about and observing everything that was before him. This man would undoubtedly live in an entirely different world and with an entirely different experience as he would now see the world clearly—something he could not previously do.

 

 

            Imagine being this man and being born blind and living with that blindness his entire life until Jesus showed up and manifested the works of God in his life. Think about the fact that this man would live with blindness his entire life until that moment ordained and appointed by the eternal Father when he would receive sight and would be able to see for the very first time. This man would indeed be born blind and would indeed live with that blindness for his entire life up to that point and yet there was something he was not aware of during those years—namely that he had been specifically chosen for the works of God to be made manifest within his physical body and flesh. This man was born blind and would live with that blindness his entire life and yet he was ordained and appointed to experience the works of the Father and encounter the person of Jesus the Christ. As you read the words found in this passage you will find that this man was destined for more than simply receiving sight for the first time but would also encounter Jesus as the eternal and only begotten Son of God. Upon reading the words of the ninth chapter beginning with the thirty-fifth verse you will find that after Jesus heard how he had been cast out He would find him in the midst of the city. When Jesus found him He asked him a very specific and personal question—namely, “Dost thou believe on the Son of God?” When this man heard this question he would respond by asking Jesus “Who is he, Lord, that I might believe on him?” This is something which is truly astonishing when you think about it for when this man asked Jesus who the Son of God was that he might believe on Him He would declare unto him how he had both seen him and it was He who talked with him presently at that moment.

 

            It would be very easy to read the words which are found in this passage of Scripture and think how this man was merely ordained to experience the works of God within his life and yet the truth of the matter is that he was ordained and appointed for so much more than that. I am absolutely and completely convinced that this man was divinely ordained and appointed by the eternal Father to not only experience the works of God but also to encounter the person of Jesus. What’s more is that it would be the experience with the works of God that would indeed lead to the encounter with the Son of God. As you read the words which are found in this passage of Scripture you discover how this man would experience the works of God within his life when Jesus made clay from the ground, anointed his eyes with the clay and then instructed him to go and wash in the pool of Siloam. This man would depart from the presence of Jesus with clay on his eyes and still living in and with his blindness and yet after he washed in the pool according to the instruction of Jesus he would come again seeing. It would be this man receiving sight that would be directly linked to the works of the Father being manifested within his life for the works of God would be manifested through his receiving sight. It would be Jesus Himself who would declare that it was not sin that caused blindness to be present within this man’s life but rather a divine appointment with the works of the eternal Father. Oh when others might very well have thought it was sin that was the ultimate catalyst and cause of his being born blind it would be Jesus who would correct this line of thinking and would declare that he was born blind that the works of the Father might be made manifest within his physical body and flesh. It would be that the works of the Father might be manifested within this man’s physical body that He was born blind for the eternal Father had ordained and appointed sight be given to him through the person of His only Son.

Oh with this in mind I invite you to consider the following words which are found in the sixty-first chapter of the Old Testament prophetic book of Isaiah as well as the words which are found in the fourth chapter of the New Testament gospel narrative written by the beloved physician Luke. It is within these two passages we encounter and come face to face with that which the eternal and only begotten Son of the Father would be sent into the earth for as the eternal Son was sent by the Father for a very specific reason and purpose. Consider if you will the following words which are found in each of these passages:

 

“The Spirit of the LORD God is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; to proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; to appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called the trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified” (Isaiah 61:1-3).

 

“And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into galilee: and there went out a fame of him through all the region round about. And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified of all. And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read. And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written, The Spirit of the LORD is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he that sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord. And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him. And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears. And all bare him witness, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth” (Luke 4:14-21).

 

            I read the words which are found within these two passages of Scripture and I can’t help but be absolutely captivated with the fact that Jesus was indeed anointed by the Spirit of the LORD God to preach good tidings unto the meek, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them which were bound and yet in addition to this we also find how Jesus was anointed by the Spirit of the LORD God for the recovering of sight to the blind. It’s actually quite interesting that when you compare what is written in the prophetic book of Isaiah you don’t find any mention of recovering of sight to the blind and yet when we find Jesus speaking in the synagogue in Nazareth we find Him seemingly adapting what was written by the prophet. I can’t help but wonder if Jesus actually read from the words which were written by the prophet or if He actually provided an interpretation concerning it. There are some clear and present distinctions which are found in this passage of Scripture as there is no mention of the recovery of sight for the blind in the prophetic book of Isaiah and yet this would be something Jesus was sure to proclaim during this time of reading. In all reality I would dare say that rather than Jesus reading the words which were found in the Old Testament prophetic book of Isaiah He might have actually found the place where it was written and simply provided His own commentary—commentary that highlighted and pointed to what He had indeed been sent to do. One of those areas of ministry which Jesus was ordained and appointed to do was bring and preach recovery of sight to the blind—and not only physical and natural blindness but a spiritual blindness as well.

 

            The more I read the narrative surrounding this man who was born blind the more I am convinced that he was ordained and appointed by the eternal Father to experience more than the works which were to be manifested in His life. There is not a doubt in my mind when reading the words found in this passage of Scripture that in addition to this man being ordained and appointed to experience the works of God being manifested in his life he was also ordained and appointed to encounter the person of Jesus. What makes this all the more incredible is when you think about the fact that this man would encounter Jesus in healing and in the giving of sight in the midst of his blindness as well as in the midst of revelation. As you read the words found in this passage you will find that this man would indeed experience and encounter the person of Jesus Christ in two different settings and context. On the one hand we find this man who was born blind encountering the person of Jesus Christ in his blindness as Jesus would anoint his eyes with clay and instruct him to go and wash in the pool of Siloam. With this being said we find this man encountering and experiencing Jesus in sight as well for Jesus would find him in the midst of the city after he had been cast out. ENCOUNTERING JESUS IN BLINDNESS, ENCOUNTERING JESUS IN SIGHT! ENCOUNTERING JESUS IN HEALING, ENCOUNTERING JESUS IN REVELATION! Perhaps one of the greatest truths that is found in this passage of Scripture is when you consider the fact that the first time this man would encounter Jesus he would be blind, without sight and perhaps even begging alms of those who passed by him. The very first time this man encountered Jesus he would do so in the midst of his blindness as he would hear the voice of Jesus and would feel his hands anointing his eyes with the clay He had made before instructing him to go and wash in the pool of Siloam.

 

            I am absolutely captivated with the words found in this passage of Scripture for they call and draw our attention to the fact that this man would first experience the voice and hands of Jesus without being able to see Him before he would experience the actual image and person of Jesus. It is truly astonishing to read the words found in this passage of Scripture and consider the fact that this man would hear the voice of Jesus and experience the hands of Jesus in his life before he would ever see Jesus in the flesh. Stop and consider what it would and could have been like for this person to hear the voice of Jesus and feel Him placing His hands upon you and yet not being able to see His person, see his face and look into His eyes. Think about what an incredible thought this is when you truly consider it for it demonstrates and reveals something incredible within our hearts and lives. I am absolutely convinced that there is something powerful within the narrative of this man—namely that he would encounter Jesus in the midst of his blindness and he would encounter Jesus in the midst of his sight. This man would experience the healing of Jesus in the midst of his blindness and yet he would experience the person and revelation of Jesus in the midst of his sight. What I love all the more about this is that when Jesus spoke to this man after finding him upon being cast out of the synagogue and spoke something very specific. This is all the more incredible when you consider that when Jesus spoke unto this man He not only spoke of this man seeing the Son of God but also talking with the Son of God. We dare not and must not miss and lose sight of this and how absolutely incredible it is for when Jesus found this man who was born blind He declared unto him how he had seen the Son of God—something which he could not previously do.

 

            As I prepare to bring this writing to a close it is absolutely remarkable to consider how this man who was born blind would encounter Jesus in his blindness as well as in his sight. This man would initially encounter Jesus in the midst of his blindness as Jesus would anoint his eyes with the clay He had made and instructed him to go and wash in the pool of Siloam. The apostle John writes and records how this man would depart from the presence and voice of Jesus blind not entirely sure what to expect or what to think and he would return and come again seeing. It is something truly incredible to read the words found in this passage of Scripture and to find that even after this man had received his sight Jesus would find him and would give him an entirely different encounter. The first encounter with Jesus was to grant unto him his sight while the second encounter with Jesus was to reveal unto him that the One who healed him, the one whom he now saw with his eyes, and the one with whom he was now speaking was indeed the Son of God. The Lord Jesus Christ would initially show up in this man’s life to give him sight and yet that would not be the last time Jesus would show up in his life. Jesus would show up again in this man’s life after he had been cast out of the synagogue when the scribes and the Pharisees could not handle what he was speaking and saying unto them. Jesus would find this man a second time after he had been cast out by religion and it was for a very specific purpose He did so. There is not a doubt in my mind that when Jesus found this man a second time He did so that He might reveal Himself unto him in the midst of his sight. It would be after this man had received his sight that Jesus would show up in revelation as He would reveal unto him that the one whom he saw with his eyes and the one with whom he was speaking was indeed the Son of God.

 

            If you continue reading the words which are found in this passage of Scripture we encounter the tremendous truth that this man wasn’t merely ordained to experience the works of the Father in his life and receive healing. This man was also ordained and appointed by the Father to encounter the person of the Lord Jesus Christ as the eternal and only begotten Son of God. One thing I so absolutely love when reading the latter portion of this passage of Scripture for when Jesus spoke unto this man He mentioned something which might be overlooked when reading it. When Jesus spoke unto this man after finding him in the place of being cast out He spoke unto him from the place of sight for when this man asked who the Son of God was that he might worship Him Jesus declared that the man whom he saw was indeed the Son of God. Stop and consider just how truly incredible that declaration and those words truly are for they call and draw our attention to what Jesus had done for this man as He not only healed him by giving him sight but He also allowed him to see Him after receiving his sight. We dare not and must not miss and lose sight of this for this man would experience Jesus first in his blindness as Jesus would give unto him sight and would experience Jesus a second time in sight and in seeing as he would not only see the one who had healed him but also the one who was the Son of God. It is absolutely necessary that we pay close attention to this as it calls and draws our attention to the fact that this man was ordained and appointed to experience the works of God in healing as well as to encounter the person of Jesus in revelation. Healing would take place in this man’s life in the midst of his blindness while revelation would take place in this man’s life in the midst of sight. What a truly wonderful and powerful thing it is to think about the fact that not only would Jesus allow this man to see Him after giving him his sight but Jesus would also reveal unto him that the one whom he saw was indeed the Son of God.

 

            In bringing this writing to a close I feel the need to highlight that it ends and concludes with this man who had been born not only receiving sight but also experiencing and encountering the person of the Lord Jesus after having received his sight. This man who was born blind whom Jesus had healed by giving unto him sight would be cast out by the religious leaders and the religious system of that day and it would be in that place of being cast out and ostracized by religion this man would in turn be found by Jesus. What’s more is that not only would Jesus find this man in his blindness the first time but Jesus would also find this man a second time in his sight and after being ostracized and marginalized by religion and perhaps even society. What adds even more to this is when you consider the fact that the passage concludes with this man having received his sight, this man seeing Jesus after having received his sight, and Jesus declaring unto the Pharisees that they were blind despite the fact they professed themselves to be able to see. This man had been born blind and had spent his entire life up until this moment unable to see and yet when he could see for the first time he would be able to see Jesus—and not only see Jesus but see the very Son of God who came to bring recovery of sight to the blind. What a truly awesome and powerful thought it is to think about this man having been born blind and having been unable to see his entire life up until this particular day in time when Jesus would show up and give unto him his sight. Not only this but this man would be a stark contrast for whereas he was blind and yet could now see the Pharisees professed themselves to see and yet were blind. Oh this must be recognized when considering how this passage ends for it concludes with Jesus indicting the Pharisees—those who had cast this man out based on his testimony and the healing he received in his life—for professing to see and yet were blind. Jesus came to preach the recovery of sight to the blind and yet there was a blindness present during those days which was far more dangerous and far deadlier than the blindness this man was born with.

 

            THE DANGER OF SPIRITUAL BLINDNESS! THE DANGER OF RELIGIOUS BLINDNESS! The ninth chapter of the New Testament gospel narrative written by the apostle John concludes with Jesus speaking unto the Pharisees—perhaps even with this man whom He had granted sight to—how they were given over to a blindness which was entirely and altogether different than the blindness this man was born with. It’s interesting that this chapter would begin with the disciples of Jesus asking a question about sin and who had sinned that this man had been born blind—his parents or the man himself. This chapter would begin with a question about sin and its connection to blindness and it would conclude along the same lines as Jesus would declare unto the Pharisees that they professed themselves to see and were blind. As a direct result of their deception in believing themselves to be able to see and yet were blind their sin would remain. Although sin would have absolutely nothing to do with this man having been born blind sin would have everything to do with the blindness of the Pharisees for not only were they indicted for their deception but also for their hypocrisy. It is absolutely necessary that we recognize and pay close attention to this for while this passage would begin and open with the disciples thinking and assuming natural sin could result in physical blindness it would end with spiritual blindness being connected to internal sin. Neither this man nor his parents sinned and thus he was born blind, however, the Pharisees professed themselves to see and yet were blind. As a direct result of their believing themselves to see and yet being blind their sin remained and they would be indicted for their hypocrisy. In order to help drive this point home all the more I would like to leave you with the words which Jesus spoke unto the seventh and final church in Asia—the church in Laodicea and the indictments He raised against it as well as the invitation He provided to it:

 

“And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; AND KNOWEST NOT THAT THOU ART WRETCHED, AND MISERABLE, AND POOR, AND BLIND, AND NAKED: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eye salve, that thou mayest see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches” (Revelation 3:14-22).