The Touch of Jesus - 3/02/08

            People in Jesus day believed that disease was the result of sin.  The disciples asked whose sin cause the man’s blindness.  Since he had been born blind it was either his parents, or some sin he had committed in the womb.  Jesus rejects the assumption – the blindness was not the result of anyone’s sin.

Jesus reached out to touch people in need, doing God’s work:

            Man born blind – John 9:6

            Man deaf and dumb – Mark 7:33

            Peter’s mother-in-law – Matt. 8:15

            A leper – Mark 1:41-42

            Coffin of young man – Luke 7:14-15

            There was a purpose to the man’s being born blind – that God’s work might be displayed in his life.  Jesus’ touch achieves that purpose: bringing light/sight to the man, revealing to him who Jesus is.

            Blindness does not only have to be physical.  Sometimes we can see with our eyes but not truly ‘see’ with our minds or hearts.  The Pharisees could see Jesus but did not see who He is.  Unbeliever’s are described as being spiritually blind.  2 Corinthians 4: 4 says, “The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.”

Jesus brings spiritual light and sight as well.

            Jesus wants to touch us and open our eyes to see God’s work in our lives.