Let’s be honest. We can all suffer from some kind of blindness. Just because we witness a rainbow in the clouds doesn’t mean we really see its beauty and the creator’s purpose for it. We can plant a garden, walk past it a thousand times, and fail to see the splendor of its flowers and foliage and the pollinators that buzz around it.
We can attend church, stand and sing the songs, maybe feel festive for a few minutes, and still never truly see Jesus as our Lord and Savior. Sometimes, the problem needing healing isn’t physical; often it’s spiritual. Jesus is the answer for healing both spiritual and physical blindness. Jesus rescues us, proving that all of our fears are under His feet and He has ultimate control in life’s storms.
In John 8:12, Jesus makes a great claim in front of a crowd in Jerusalem. He said, “I am THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD, He who follows Me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” Why is Jesus the true light of the world? Because there was—and still is—a great need, a great purpose, and a great savior to fill both the need and the purpose.
The story begins with Jesus and His disciples walking by the temple in Jerusalem. They pass a blind man, most likely sitting there waiting on the temple-goers’ charity.. “His disciples asked Him, ‘Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?’” (John 8:1-2) A common belief was that family sins were punished for generations. This belief still exists for some today. Some people we know use the excuse “I wish God would stop doing all this bad stuff to me and my family!” What an incorrect perception! The truth is: we live in a broken, fallen world where good behavior doesn’t always seem to be rewarded, and bad behavior doesn’t always seem to be punished. Seemingly innocent people sometimes suffer.
“‘Neither this man nor his parents sinned,’” said Jesus, “‘but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.’” (John 8:34). The Disciples thought the man had some great sin, but Jesus corrected that notion. Instead, He revealed a great purpose for this poor, beggar’s blindness. The purpose was this: so that the miraculous work of God could be revealed in Him! And it was! He who was blind could now see.
If you’re wondering today WHY something has happened in your life, take a deep breath, talk to God in prayer, and be patient and humble as He reveals the purpose. Get help by coming to LECC at 415987 Highway 9, Eufaula, for small group Bible study at 10 a.m., worship at 11 a.m. and Wednesday night all age activities at 6:30 p.m.
Out of darkness, light comes to reveal a great purpose! There is purpose in your pain.
God Bless You!
Jeremy Little, Minister
