
“Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; then the lame shall leap like a deer, and the tongue of the speechless sing for joy. For waters shall break forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert…”
-Isaiah 35:5-6
What memories this passage evokes! I had sung Handel’s “Messiah” many times before, but this was the first time I was the alto soloist performing with an orchestra, and actually getting paid. We four soloists sat in front of the very large choir, I in my long black dress which I had purchased for the occasion. It was very exciting. These words of prophecy of the Savior’s actions sung in recitative are emblazoned in my heart and mind.
Each of the Gospels reports incidents of Jesus’ healing. Matthew 15 tells us of large crowds coming to him including the lame, crippled, blind, mute, and many others. Mark 10 relates the healing of the blind beggar named Bartimaeus. Luke 7 reports the blind receive sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear. John 9 relays the story of Jesus making clay with spittle, placing it on the blind man’s eyes, and telling him to go wash in the pool of Siloam. After Jesus’ death and resurrection, Acts 9 gives us the account of Paul’s sight being restored when Ananias’ laid hands on him.
Truly God wants us to be whole and restoration continues today. Sometimes we may even fail to see the miracles that occur through modern medicine and technology. God’s love surrounds us and the Holy Spirit works in a myriad of ways. Thanks be to God!
Thank you, God, for your healing and restoration of the world. Help us to always remember that we are recipients of and participants in that restoration. Amen.
-Cathey Frederick