43 times. A simple search for the word “blind” in the Gospels shows that the word is used 43 times in the first four books of the New Testament. That means that (on average) nearly every other chapter of Jesus’ biographies include an encounter with (or reference to) a blind person. That is a lot! Why do you think that was the case? Several theories might explain this phenomena:
1) There were many blind people living in Palestine at the time of Jesus ministry, so EVERYONE came into regular contact with blind people.
2) Jesus had a reputation for restoring sight to the blind, so blind people (and their families) sought Christ out in search of healing.
3) There was some strategic advantage to Jesus ministry that healing blind people created. Therefore, Jesus sought out the blind people so that His power and message would show up well against the canvas of their lives.
While I think there are elements of both options 1 & 2 at play in the frequency of Jesus interaction with the blind, as I read the Gospels, I begin to see a potentially deeper message that Jesus was communicating through these miracles. I think Jesus was trying to communicate something to all of us against the backdrop of the healing of some blind men.
On Sunday morning at Wildwood, we will be looking more in depth at one of the instances of Jesus healing a blind man . . . His healing of Bartimaeus in Mark 10:46-52. If you have a moment, read about this miracle before Sunday and see what you think the message was that Jesus was trying to communicate to us. Feel free to share your thoughts, questions, etc. in the comments section of this post.
We hope to worship with you Sunday morning in either the 9:30 or 10:50 service as we lift high the name of Christ, and conclude our “A Father’s Stories” sermon series. Hope to see you there!