Seeing Clearly
Recently, I was able to see Hamilton off Broadway in New York city. I loved it. Lin Manuel Maranda is a genius. I bought the album and listened to it on my phone on repeat for weeks. I wanted to learn more about Hamilton, the “great” founding father. Sure, he was brash and cheated on his loving wife once, I thought, but he did so much for this country he loved.
So, I began reading about Hamilton and Burr in a non-fiction book called “Duel – Alexander Hamilton, Aaron Burr and the Future of America” by Thomas Fleming (1999, Basic Books). I was amazed at how Maranda had cleverly woven Hamilton’s political stances and scores of writings into his musical.
But, far from being the slightly tarnished saint of Maranda’s play, Hamilton was, well, I can’t really write what I am thinking. There are many actions I could site, but I’ll just name one. The so-called “manumission abolitionist” held slaves until the day he died. Sure, he advocated for abolition, but as long as it was not the law of the land, he kept his slaves. Disgusting.
Once the scales of national pride and revisionist history come off, and you see them clearly, the heroes of this nation, including Hamilton, are never going to live up to their hype. Hamilton served our country and setup the financial system that saved our young nation, but when it comes to character, Hamilton falls far, far, far from sainthood.
Let’s talk about someone whose character does stand up to the scrutiny in the cold light of day. Jesus Christ our Savior.
Jesus did many miracles during His time on earth. Among them, I feel that giving sight to the blind is one of the most poetic of miracles.
In Matthew 20:29-34, we read about two blind men sitting on the side of the road near Jericho who called out “O Lord, Son of David!”, drawing Jesus’ attention. He touched their eyes, and they were healed. In Mark 8: 22-25, tells the story about a blind man in Bethsaida who Jesus healed. Verse 25 “And he was restored and saw everyone clearly.”
You know what is most wonderful about these healings to me? That when this blind man of Bethsaida and the two blind men sitting on the road near Jericho received their site, the first thing they say was the Messiah. To be blind all your life and then to see the face of the perfect Lamb of God as the very first thing in your line of sight – that is truly awesome!
Ah, but eyesight isn’t the only sight He restores.
Acts 9:17-18 [ESV] 17 So Ananias departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit." 18 And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he rose and was baptized;
When the scales fell from Saul’s eyes, the scale of sin, partiality, prejudice, and hate also fell from Saul’s heart. He then saw Jesus and the Gospel message clearly for the first time.
Acts 9:20 [NKJV] Immediately he preached the Christ in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God.
Human leaders are all sinners, of course. But sometimes, musicals, movies and even history books hide the muddy side of their heroes to make them look better. When we know the truth about our Founding Fathers, we have to understand that they are, at best, a mix of good and evil.
But, Jesus? There is no seedy side to His life and legacy - no smudges on His character.
When the scales fall from our eyes and we see Him for who He really is, we find Him to be better than the hype. He is more loving and kind than the stories we have heard about Him. The more we come to know Him, the more precious He becomes to us. When we see Him clearly, we are dazzled by His goodness.
Restoring sight was part of the express purpose of Jesus’ earthly ministry. Luke 4:18 [NKJV] 18 "The Spirit of the LORD [is] upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to [the] poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to [the] captives And recovery of sight to [the] blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed;”
Praise God that we believers will someday see Him face-to-face, in all His glory. In the meantime, He helps us to see life, the Gospel, and the Father more clearly.
So, keep seeking to see Him more clearly each day, sweet sisters. You will never be disappointed in what you find. Jesus is a hero with no smudges on His life, works or character.
Love and hugs, the New Church Lady
Write me any time at Nancy@DynamicChristianMinistries.org