Healing Takes Time – John 9:2,3,6,7

John 9:2 And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind? 3 Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him…6 When he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and he anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay, 7 And said unto him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam, (which is by interpretation, Sent.) He went his way therefore, and washed, and came seeing.

In our text, we see a common misconception in biblical times, and even some today, we see a conclusion that personal sin caused this man’s blindness. Our Lord was quick to correct them for theological error. Indwelling sin, moral or total depravity, includes the potential of any man committing any sin under the right conditions. Also, because we are sinners and live in a world filled with it, we are all liable to any disease or malady.
Some of the Lord’s miracles were immediate. The man carried of four being told to take up his bed and walk; raising Lazarus from the tomb, but some were different. Today, think over the healing of this man born blind. Jesus saw him and moved with compassion, He reached out to the man born blind. Christ spit on the dust of the ground and applied the mixture to the man’s eyes and told him to go to the pool of Siloam. He returned healed and rejoicing.
Healing in a human sense always involves a process. God has graciously designed our bodies to fight infection and heal itself. Sometimes that process fails and a hospital visit it necessary. As some of our Lord’s miracles involved the passage of time and other included action on the part of person healed. But all of these were miracles nonetheless.
Sometimes the healing of our souls take time in the wisdom of God. We sin some more than others and in varying degrees. As we return to the Lord, a great burden is lifted, but has left its mark on us. Our conscience strikes in our solitude or when we lay down to sleep. Don’t despair. Once you are forgiven, God will cleanse you as He promised: 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. That a process is going on in your heart is not a sign God is not pleased with you. No! A thousand times no! It is clear evidence that you are God’s child or He would not be disciplining you. Healing takes time. Rest in His arms and know all is well.

Pastor F. J. Weems III