John 9

Read John Chapter 9 :: Here

Devotional ::

“ So for the second time they called the man who had been blind and said to him, “Give glory to God. We know that this man is a sinner.”  He answered, “Whether he is a sinner I do not know. One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see.”

John 9:24-25

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When reading through scripture, it’s often helpful to place yourself in the story. Which character do you most identify with?  If we’re truly honest with ourselves, we’re almost always the “bad guy” but because of the love and kindness of Jesus, He allows us to be transformed. We get to actually switch sides throughout the story! We get to see this transformation take place in John 9. 

The disciples open the chapter with a silly question. Whose sin caused this situation for the blind man?  Isn’t that just like the world today, fighting over where to place the blame? We’d rather know whose fault it is than actually see a problem solved. Let’s be careful to not fall into that trap. Our job isn’t finished because we’ve found the culprit. Like Jesus said, we’re meant to “work the works of Him who sent us”.  We’re to leave a situation or in this case, a person, better than we found it if it’s within our ability. 

Jesus performs a beautiful miracle and heals the eyes of this man with nothing more than a little mud made from scratch. The man, now able to see, is repeatedly questioned by people who recognize him, religious authorities, etc. about what happened. His answer, though consistent, was incredibly simple. Almost too simple.

Pharisee: “You don’t look very blind to me. What happened?”

Ex-blind man: “A guy they called Jesus made some mud and put it on my eyes. I can’t be certain but I’m pretty sure he made it himself cause I heard him spitting pretty good. Well, he told me to go wash up, and after I did, I could see.”

Pharisee: “What did he look like?”

Ex-blind man: “I don’t know. I was blind before, remember? I’ve never seen him.”

Pharisee: “Well, where did he go after this mud incident?”

Ex-blind man: “Um, like I said, I used to be blind. As in, my eyes didn’t work. I didn’t exactly watch him walk away.”

Pharisee: “Ok, we get it, you used to be blind. Some of us think he might be from God but a few of us think he’s a sinner and a bad guy ‘cause he healed on a church day. What do you think?”

Ex-blind man: **looks slowly around the room making eye contact with each of the religious leaders and shrugs** “I’m pretty sure he’s a good guy.”

What a paradoxical moment when a blind man is able to see more clearly than those with two healthy eyes!

This blind man had an encounter with Jesus that no one could take away from him. Out of fear, not even his parents would speak up on his behalf, but it mattered not to this man. No one was changing his mind.  We all need such an encounter. One that leaves us changed. An encounter that we might not be able to explain perfectly but one that makes an indelible impression on us nonetheless.

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Reflect ::

•We live in a day and age where there must be an explanation for everything. If the Lord wanted to do something in your life that you might never understand, would he be able to? Would you welcome it?

•The bible says (I Corinthians 1:27) that the Lord uses the foolish things to shame the wise. How comfortable are you playing the part of the “foolish things” in your own daily story?

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Prayer ::

God, I humble myself before you. Help me to be quicker to believe the good that you’re doing all around me. Remove a critical spirit from me and put in me a spirit of faith. I’m open to encountering you in any way you wish to reveal yourself to me. Help me carry your light to those around me. 

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Action ::

You’ll more than likely have an opportunity to say/do/respond in an uncharacteristically overt Christian way today or in the very near future. Instead of quietly walking by that opportunity, speak up, be bold, and perhaps your “foolishness” will be the mud for someone else’s eyes.