In last month’s article, we noted the healings by Christ are enacted parables (Lk. 7:22-23). The outward physical healings represent inward spiritual healings. In this article, we begin our study of the figurative meanings behind the seven kinds of healings. In particular, we look at the enlightenment that comes by faith after hearing and understanding God’s word. And we note the “lame walking” is our walk with newness of life following our baptisms.
“The Blind” Lack Faith
Blindness is a metaphor for lack of faith.
He hath blinded their eyes that they see not — “though [Jesus] had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him: that the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, LORD, who hath believed our report? And to whom hath the arm of the LORD been revealed? Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again, he hath blinded their eyes. and hardened their heart: that they should not see with their eyes. nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them” (John 12:37-40). The Jews, even though they witnessed the miracles of Jesus, refused to believe he was the Messiah sent to heal them.
The minds of them who believe not are blinded — “If our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: in whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them” (II Cor. 4:3-4). The thoughts of those who reject the gospel are so clouded that even the glorious light of Christ cannot penetrate them.
Blind leaders of the blind — Jesus condemned the Pharisees for their man-made traditions. Instead of rejecting their own tradition, these religious fakes rejected Jesus. “Then came his disciples, and said unto [Jesus], knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying? But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up. Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch” (Mt. 15:12-14; cp. Mt. 23).
He who lacks these things is blind — We usually think of this language being reserved for those outside the ecclesia. Sadly, it is also used for those in our midst who have forgotten their calling. “Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, according as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust… For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But be that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins” (II Peter 2:2-4,8-9). Those who no longer believe the “great and precious promises have forgotten it was by the fulfillment of these that their sins were forgiven. Such are as blind as those who rejected the gospel outright.
He who hates his brother is blind — “He that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and, knoweth not whither he goest, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes” (I John 2:11). Those in the ecclesias who think they can be in fellowship with Christ, but not with their fellow brethren, are walking in darkness. Their eyes are blinded. They have no knowledge.
Jesus Heals the Blind
Thus blindness corresponds to unbelief. It is therefore not surprising that being healed of blindness corresponds to a conversion based on knowledge and acknowledgment that he is the Messiah. Jesus’ healings of the blind highlight this metaphor.
The two blind men — “When Jesus departed thence, two blind men followed him, crying and saying. Thou son of David. have mercy on us. And when he was come into the house, the blind men came to him: and Jesus saith unto them, Believe ye that I am able to do this? They said unto him, Yea, Lord, Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you. And their eyes were opened” (Mt. 9:27-30). These two blind men were “healed” before they were healed. They could “see” before they could see. That is, they knew Jesus was the son of David; they believed he could heal them; they followed him and asked him to have mercy on them. So, according to their faith, Jesus healed them, giving them their physical sight.
The man born blind — In response to his disciples’ question, “Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him” (John 9:3). What were the “works of God” that were to “be manifest in him”? For one, Jesus healed the man’s blindness which was a miracle, the work of God. But there is something more. After feeding the 5,000, they had asked Jesus. “What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God. that ye believe on him whom he hath sent” (Jn. 6:28-29). So, when “Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when he had found him, he said unto him, Dost thou believe on the Son of God? He answered and said, Who is he Lord. that I might believe on him? And Jesus said unto him, Thou hast both seen him, and it is he that talketh with thee. And he said, Lord I believe. And he worshipped him” (Jn. 9:35-38). Not only did Jesus heal the man’s physical blindness, he also made sure he could “see.”
Our Walk in Christ
Now that we can “see,” we believe Jesus is the Christ and can heal us. Our next step is baptism. We put on his name, identifying with him in a symbolic death, burial and resurrection. Then, as newborn children of God, we must learn to walk all over again.
No longer walk after the flesh -Instead of walking after the flesh, we must now walk after the spirit (Rom. 8:4; Gal. 5:15,25). We live by a new set of principles, a new set of guidelines. That is, we walk in newness of life (Rom. 6:3-4). We can no longer walk in the ways of this world as we have in the past (Eph. 2:2). We cannot walk as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind (Eph. 4:17). If we do continue to walk according to the flesh, then we prove that we are not spiritual, but babes in Christ, requiring milk instead of meat (I Cor. 3:1-3; Heb. 5:11-14). We do not walk in craftiness, seeking to deceive (II Cor. 4:2); instead we walk honestly (Rom. 13:13).
Walk as children of God — We have been ordained to walk in good works for which we have been newly created (Eph. 2:10). We must walk in love as dear children of God, even as Christ walked in love in giving himself for us (Eph. 5:1-2). We must walk circumspectly, as children of light, not of darkness (Eph. 5:15,8).
Walk in the light of fellowship -We walk in the light, sharing the wonderful joys of fellowship with God and Christ; and because we walk in this light, our sins have been washed away by the blood of Jesus (I Jn. 1:6-7). We must walk in truth, as we have received commandment from the Father (II Jn. 4). Indeed, we must walk after His commandments, loving one another as God and Christ have loved us; by this, men will know that we are Christ’s disciples (II Jn. 6; Jn. 13:34-35).
Walk in wisdom — We must walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time, having our speech seasoned with salt (Col. 4:5-6).
Walk worthy of God — We must walk worthy of the vocation wherewith we have been called (Eph. 4:1). We must walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God (Col. 1:10). We must walk worthy of God, who has called us unto his kingdom and glory (I Thess. 2:12).
Walk with God — In short, brothers and sisters, we must, like Enoch and Noah, walk with God.
These points sketch the background for considering the miracles of making the lame to walk.
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One