The Time of God’s Visitation

In John 9 we read the account of a blind man whom Jesus healed. This man was blind from birth, a beggar who had never had the privilege of seeing his parents, his siblings, or the world he lived in. We read in John 9:6-7 that Jesus ‘spat on the ground and made clay with the saliva; and He anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay. And He said to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which is translated, Sent). So he went and washed, and came back seeing’.

This miracle happened on the Sabbath, and it created quite a stir amongst the religious leaders. Instead of focussing on the amazing miracle that had occurred in the life of this man, who had been blind from birth, their focus was the fact that Jesus had transgressed the law by performing this miracle on the Sabbath day.

Shortly after this event we read how Jesus raised Lazarus, who had been dead for four days, from the grave – another supernatural miracle! However, we read in John 12:37 this sad reference concerning the continued unbelief of many of the people and leaders of Jesus’ time: ‘Even after Jesus had done all these miraculous signs in their presence, they still would not believe in Him’.

I am reminded of the English proverb that says, “There are none so blind as those who will not see.” We can be so sure of our own opinion, and so set on what we believe to be true, that no evidence to the opposite will sway us.

There is a serious caution for us in the above. If our hearts become so hardened by our own belief systems and prejudices, we may actually miss the great thing God is busy doing right in front of our eyes – the God-moments when He shows up in unexpected ways!

Although it is wise and very necessary to discern the supernatural things we may see and experience, and to test the spirits (1 John 4:1), we should remain teachable. We should know the voice of the Holy Spirit – the Spirit of truth, whom Jesus promised would teach us all things (John 14:16 & 26) and be grounded in the Word of God.

In spite of the many wonderful things Jesus did when He walked the earth, and in spite of the fact that He taught about the fulfilment of Scripture by His coming, people did not recognise the time of God’s visitation to them (Luke 19:44). We need to ask the Holy Spirit to keep our hearts tender towards His voice and the things He is busy doing in the times we live in. When our focus is religion outside of relationship with the Lord, we will undoubtedly miss the ‘God thing’ happening around us.

I reckon that, if I sit at the feet of the Lord daily, cultivate a sensitivity to His still, small voice and be actively on the lookout for His hand in my everyday life, and lives of those I encounter, I will not miss the miraculous and divine things – both great and small – that He is busy doing.

Prayer: Thank You, Lord, that You are always busy moving and speaking and revealing Yourself to those who diligently seek You. Please open my eyes to see the everyday miracles – great and small – that You do in my life and the lives of those I encounter. Help me to remain teachable and open to Your Holy Spirit. Amen.