Impossible Healings: The Man Born Blind
'Since the world began it has been unheard of that anyone opened the eyes of one who was born blind. If this Man were not from God, He could do nothing.'
They answered and said to him, 'You were completely born in sins, and are you teaching us?' And they cast him out.
Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when He had found him, He said to him, 'Do you believe in the Son of God?'
He answered and said, 'Who is He, Lord, that I may believe in Him?'
And Jesus said to him, 'You have both seen Him and it is He Who is talking with you.'
Then he said, 'Lord, I believe!' And he worshiped Him.
John 9:32-38 (NKJV)
Do healing and salvation Hand in hand?
If it starts that way, does it end that way?
Do the healed stay in step with the Healer…?
All the way through life to the finish line?
If we disregard the great Physician (or neglect to heed His post-op Orders), I'm truly not sure.
In John 9, we learn the after-story… beyond the healing of the man born blind.* Because beyond his grand restoration, he faced religious INTERROGATION: of himself, twice, and of his parents, once.
Though he didn’t (yet) know Who Jesus was, he wouldn’t sell Him out as a trickster.
Instead, he launched a counter-offensive and defended the Man Who had healed him. He challenged the faulty understanding of Jewish leaders.
His earthly result? Eviction! Synagogue disconnection... which would stigmatize him as an outcast.
His godly result? Inclusion! In the church of Jesus Christ… which would seal his place as a son of God.
Actors, models, and talent for Christ: defend your King--any time, any place: including zealous interrogations from “churched” hypocrites.
'Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before My Father in Heaven. But whoever disowns Me before others, I will disown before My Father in Heaven' (Matthew 10:32-33).
What about the kings of entertainment? Expect to meet them: 'Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising' (Isaiah 60:3).**
'On My account, you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them... Do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you' (Matthew 10:18-20).
Speak to them first with your talent and grace, while extending the fruit of God’s Spirit.
When words are needed, God will speak through you. If, as a consequence, you’re excluded from a set or show, God will place you in a much better one.
Impossible Healings: The Man Born Blind (Part 13)
* John 9: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%209&version=NKJV
** Isaiah 60:1-3 (NASB): http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah%2060:1-3&version=NASB
NOTE: This is a 2023 update of a 2013 Carey Lewis Devotion. You may see notes to 'Actors, Models & Talent for Christ.' If you think you're not in show business, think again. Shakespeare said, 'All the world's a stage and all its men and women merely players. Mostly true. But you're not merely players. You are messengers and ambassadors for the King of kings.