Jesus left there and went along the Sea of Galilee. Then he went up on a mountainside and sat down. Great crowds came to him, bringing the lame, the blind, the crippled, the mute and many others, and laid them at his feet; and he healed them. The people were amazed when they saw the mute speaking, the crippled made well, the lame walking and the blind seeing. And they praised the God of Israel.

Oh, what an incredible sight to see! I can only imagine what this would have been like!

This is more than just a physical healing here. Most of these people were looked down on in Jewish society for having a disability. The thought was either they or their parents did something wrong to cause this to happen to them. This unkind thought process was so prevalent back then, even the disciples asked Jesus: “His disciples asked him, ‘Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?’” (‭‭John‬ ‭9‬:‭2‬)

So this celebration was not just for being healed physically, but also for not having to live the lonely life of an outcast, separated from family and friends. It was a final acknowledgement that they did not cause this physical challenge to happen to them, or their parents did not necessarily do this to them either. It was justice, vindication, and a restoration of their honor and respect.

I can only imagine the burdens falling off of their shoulders, and not only their shoulders, but the shoulders of their family and friends, as well.

Jesus came to save us. He also restored the truth, established justice, and touched lives with his healing of many.

How does God want to use me today to touch the lives of others for his kingdom? What is his will? How can I serve him?

Lord, thank you for coming to set the record right and heal. You are my healer. Touch my mind and my heart today and fill me with your incredible love and joy in place of the worry and stress that I receive from this world. Help me to shine your light instead of absorbing the weight of the world. Transform my mind and heart to see life like you see it and to tap into the power to live, in a sinful world, with the attitudes and actions that bring you praise and glory!