Blindness and Faith in the Gospels Anonymous

Jesus’ ability to perform various miracles is prominent in both the Gospels of John and Matthew. As the creator, embodiment, and giver of light, Jesus wins worshippers through the use of supernatural powers given by God. One miraculous work in particular, the restoration of eyesight, validates the symbolic and religious foundation of Jesus as the Son of God. This powerful miracle treats a man’s body and soul as separate entities. Restoring eyesight is not only a physical change but also provides spiritual enlightenment. The story about Jesus healing the blind in the Gospel of Matthew supplements the central story of a blind man in the Gospel of John. Whereas the Gospel Matthew mentions healing of the blind, the Gospel of John emphasizes that to see is to believe by devoting an entire chapter to the blind man’s conversion to Christianity. The ability to heal blindness distinguishes Jesus from other messiahs in the history of Judaism, such as Moses and John the Baptist. Jesus secures his role on earth as the true messiah and as the light by bringing wisdom and salvation to sinners. In addition, by providing a new vision, Jesus converts ordinary people into faithful followers of God. Besides initiating followers into Christianity,...