Before we delve into today’s topic, a brief description of the phrase “turning the tables” would benefit those of you who are unfamiliar with such a term… to reverse one’s position relative to someone else, especially by turning a position of disadvantage into one of advantage (The Oxford Dictionary).
An awl (a pointed object used usually for boring a hole- Deu 15:17), was considered “awful” to handle early on in a worker’s life, but years and years of hard work and experience with the tool, it can become very useful in the right set of hands. But who would have thought that such a difficult tool would also lead to making the lives of blind people across the world easier? Welcome to the inspirational story of Louis Braille. Louis’s father was a saddle maker, who lived in a small Northern France village named Coupvray. While a three-year-old Louis was playing in his father’s workshop, he happened to take hold of an “awful awl” into his hands. He tried to replicate his father’s work of boring a hole into leather with it. Unfortunately, Louis ended up accidentally piercing one of his eyes with the “awful object”. This not only led to instant blindness in that eye, but also caused a severe infection, which spread to his other eye. Very soon, young Louis would sadly enter the world of total blindness; his future seemingly becoming as “dark” as the night.
Fast forward 25 years later, and what do we “see”? After several twists and turns in his life, Louis Braille had invented what is known as the “raised dotted-system”, using an “awesome awl” this time. All 26 letters of the Latin (English) alphabet were implemented by piercing holes suitably on pieces of leather. This system allowed the blind to read simply using their sense of touch. Today, the Braille language is used universally to essentially serve as a virtual “lamp in the darkness” for the blind.
Coming at this from a spiritual perspective, my dear friends, have you ever contemplated how great our Almighty wise God can use objects, or situations in which were initially considered a “curse”, only to end up become a “blessing” later on? In this five-part series, yours truly aims to focus on Biblical events using words that begin with the letter “T” (what else, considering the title), where one clearly discerns how the good Lord “turned the tables”, so to speak, in order to foster blessings upon His chosen ones.
Tree…
The Tree of Knowledge of good and evil appeared quite appealing to the eyes of our first parents, Adam and Eve (Gen 3:6) They were both commanded by their loving creator to stay away from it; to only admire its beauty from a distance. The result of their “adulterous advance” towards it, is now inscribed in history. Oh yes, they ate of its fruit at the behest of the crafty tempter, bringing forth a hefty price upon themselves and all of mankind (Gen 3:1-19). The truth of the Tree of Knowledge brought in its wake spiritual darkness to all of humanity. This darkness can only be dispelled when one comes near yet another tree, which by its appearance, can be initially thought of as ugly. Friends, let us travel to the Tree (the cross) at Calvary.
Love for God can be exhibited by implicit obedience to his commands, (2 John 1:6) but disobedience was found in the first Adam, when he was exposed to the lure of the Tree of Knowledge. However, there is a stark contrast between the first and final Adam (read Jesus…1 Cor 15:45), whose personified obedience willfully let himself hang on the Cruel Tree (Gal 3:13) as per the Father’s will (John 6:38/John 14:30-31), right in the middle of the Earth (Ezekiel 5:5).
The Tree of Knowledge proved to be a bane for mankind, bringing in its wake spiritual ignorance. Ironically, the Tree (cross) of Foolishness (so-called by the scholarly Greek peers of Apostle Paul- 1 Cor 1:18) has been a cause for manifold blessings towards ushering in spiritual emancipation and enlightenment. The enticing, toxic words of the sly snake spoken, even while “hanging” from a tree, brought forth a terrible curse to humankind, whereas the energizing words proclaiming the completion of the redemption plan (John 19:30) spoken of by the suffering Savior, while also “hanging” from a tree; a cruel tree of execution (Gal 3:13/Deu 22:21). These words have heralded the free release from that curse to anyone appropriating it in his/her life (Romans 10:8-10). We who are all connected to the First Adam (genetically and spiritually) need not remain “chained” to him. Rather, we are now free to seek our liberation by looking with saving faith (John 3:14-15/Numbers 21:4-9) at the Final Adam, who completed the onerous work of providing free salvation at a great cost (can anyone truly put a price tag on the Saviour’s sufferings?).
The Gospel would be a palaver only to the perishing, blinded as they are, by the arch-enemy of every human soul (2 Cor 4:4). But to those being redeemed by it, it is the power of God in action (1 Cor 1:18-TLB).
Trees…(Garden)
If the first death was pronounced on mankind amidst the trees (read the Garden of Eden-Gen 3:19-20), then the Heavenly Father ensured that resurrection proclaiming victory over death also took place amidst the “trees” (Jesus rose victoriously from death in a “Garden” –John 19:41-42).
Today, we are armed with a “Blessed hope” (Titus 2:13), and can look at our timeless foe known as “death” seemingly as it were, on its face and taunt “O Death, where is thy sting” (1 Cor 15:55), for Jesus rose from the Garden grave on the first Easter as the “first fruits”– symbolizing the future resurrection of all the Christians (1 Thess 4:13-18-TLB).
Prayer: Father, we commit our troublesome circumstances into Your hands. Steer us through them with Your Divine Wisdom. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Suresh Manoharan
An unworthy servant
J and SM Ministries
(To access the entire “Turning the Tables” Easter Mini-series, please click here.)