The Healing of the Man Born Blind

LYMAN S. ABBOTT

In the ninth chapter of John's Gospel is recorded the healing of a man who was born blind. It is evident that John attached great importance to this incident, for he goes into much detail, particularly in recounting the consequent controversy with the Pharisees. It is helpful to consider some of the lessons to be gained from a study of this narrative.

Why was the man born blind? was a natural question which the disciples asked of Jesus. Had his parents committed some grievous sin for which their son must suffer? Why must he be blind? "Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him," was the declaration of Jesus. What were these "works of God" which were to "be made manifest in him"? Generally speaking, a so-called law of heredity had to be broken. Are there not many such false laws that should be broken today? False appetites, passions, anger, hatred, revenge, disease, and sin must be recognized as powerless to hold one in bondage.

Why did Jesus anoint the man's eyes with the moistened clay? He knew there was no healing efficacy in the clay, but the man himself must be aroused to his real need. By placing the moistened clay on his eyes Jesus brought home to the man his lack of vision, and then bade him "go, wash in the pool of Siloam." His readiness to be healed was tested; there must be conscious effort on his part; he must do something for himself. It is interesting to note that Christ Jesus frequently required some effort on the part of those who came to him seeking healing. To one he said, "Stretch forth thine hand;" to another, "Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way."

Do not many of us today need to wash away from our thoughts the clay of material beliefs, anger, jealousy, envy, malice, revenge, sickness, and sin? As we are cleansed from these false beliefs in the waters of spiritual understanding, we shall see clearly the divine attributes of love, justice, mercy, consideration, kindness, and compassion. We shall see ourselves and others as in reality the perfect children of God, manifesting divine qualities. Beliefs of sickness will give place to the understanding that man is eternally perfect, whole, and harmonious. Beliefs of lack will give place to the realization of divine affluence. Beliefs of sorrow and separation will give place to the knowledge that life is eternal, and that we cannot be separated from our Father-Mother God or from that which manifests Him.

Are there not many today who are blind to the truth, many who have never known anything of God and His infinite love for man? What a blessing is theirs when through Christian Science the blindness of ignorance gives place to the understanding of Truth! Are there not also many who believe that they have inherited some incurable disease? What a glorious privilege to awaken such a one to his real heritage of health and wholeness!

Another lesson which we may well heed is that of grateful acknowledgment of blessings received. Even though pressed to deny the agency through which he had received his healing, the man resolutely proclaimed that Jesus had healed him; and no doubt realizing something of the Master's spirituality he said, "If this man were not of God, he could do nothing."

The man's father and mother, fearing the opposition expressed by the Pharisees, failed to acknowledge the true source of the healing of their son. So may fear of criticism keep one from giving due credit to the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, Mary Baker Eddy, through whose inspired writings the revelation of the true relationship of God and man has again been brought to the world.

One released from the blindness of a false belief in sickness or sin should be quick to express his gratitude and to give due credit to the healing truth for this beneficent work. Mrs. Eddy writes on page 3 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures": "Are we really grateful for the good already received? Then we shall avail ourselves of the blessings we have, and thus be fitted to receive more."

Are we not sometimes blind to the opportunities right at hand for helping those who may be ready for the healing truth? Let us, then, be alert to "give them a cup of cold water in Christ's name" (Science and Health, p. 570). A cheering word to one struggling with sorrow, sickness, or lack, a helping hand to one bending under a load of fear or doubt, will often dissipate the dark clouds of self-pity and discouragement and give one the courage to go on with a new determination to seek in the right direction for help in overcoming all these false beliefs.

Let us, then, wash from our eyes the clay of selfishness and indifference that we may see clearly the many opportunities right at hand to heal and to bless.

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