The Lighthouse was completed in 1887 after three years of construction.  A first order fixed Fresnel lens that was manufactured in Paris in 1867 was used to illuminate the light.  The kerosene lamp was first lit on November 1, 1887.  The new light could be seen 20 miles out to sea.  In 1897, author Stephen Crane was shipwrecked off the shore of the lighthouse.  In 1970, the Coast Guard abandoned the lighthouse and vandals did much damage to the structure.  Two years later as the result of work by concerned citizens, the abandoned property was deeded to the Town of Ponce Inlet and in 1972 the preservation Association was founded.  In April 2004, restoration work on the third order Fresnel lens was completed and this rotating lens was returned to the lantern room at the top of the tower. The Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse is now listed as an operational private aid to navigation.  The light was abandoned for two (2) years, and it took thirty-two (32) years to restore.

When we lose sight of Jesus, the longer we are blinded, the longer and harder it becomes for us to return.  Without Jesus restoring our sight, it is impossible.  A blind soul is as lost as a ship off the coast in a storm with no light to guide it or warn it.  A long-lost blinded soul may lose sight so significant that they do not recognize the lighthouse guiding them to safety.  Since the beginning of time, God has tried to help us.

He has provided many examples of what a good and righteous life is and has promised us Spiritual healing.  The Psalmist wrote in Psalm 41:3, “The Lord nurses them when they are sick and restores them to health.”  Psalm 147:3 states “He heals the brokenhearted and bandages their wounds.”  Jesus read from Isaiah 61:1,2 as recorded in Luke 4:18:

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,

    for He has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor.

He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released,

    that the blind will see,

that the oppressed will be set free,

    and that the time of the Lord’s favor has come.”

When we see Jesus, we have the Light shining on us; His hand touches us, WE CAN SEE and see clearly.  That is why we must be like those men that approached Phillip as recorded in John chapter 12 and said, “We would see Jesus”.  Mark tells us that wherever Jesus went, “…they brought the sick out to the marketplaces. They begged him to let the sick touch at least the fringe of his robe, and all who touched him were healed.”  Have you reached out?