Healing the Man Born Blind
Scripture: John 9:1-7 (ESV)
9 As he passed by, he saw a man blind
from birth. 2 And
his disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he
was born blind?” 3 Jesus
answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works
of God might be displayed in him. 4 We
must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when
no one can work. 5 As
long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” 6 Having said these things, he spit on the ground
and made mud with the saliva. Then he anointed the man’s eyes with the mud 7 and said to him, “Go,
wash in the pool of Siloam” (which means Sent). So, he went and washed and came
back seeing.
Devotion:
The story of the man born blind, as
recounted in John 9:1-7, is a powerful testament to the transformative power of
Jesus' ministry. It's a profound reflection on the nature of suffering and
divine purpose. As Jesus passed by, He encountered a man who had been blind
from birth. This man's affliction prompted a theological debate among Jesus'
disciples. They asked, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that
he was born blind?" This question reflects a common belief at the time
that physical ailments were direct punishments for specific sins.
Jesus' response redirects their
thinking: "It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the
works of God might be displayed in him." Jesus reframes the situation,
suggesting that rather than being a consequence of sin, the man's blindness was
an opportunity for God's glory to be revealed. This perspective encourages us
to see beyond immediate suffering and trust in God's greater purpose, even when
not immediately apparent.
Jesus then proceeds to heal the man
in an intimate and profound manner. He spits on the ground, makes mud with the
saliva, and anoints the man's eyes. He instructs the man to wash in the pool of
Siloam. In obedience, the man goes, washes, and returns seeing. This act of
healing is a testament to Jesus' power and the importance of faith and
obedience in the transformation process. The man's willingness to follow Jesus'
unconventional instructions resulted in his miraculous healing, showing us the
power of faith and obedience in our own lives.
The narrative of John 9:1-7 invites
us to consider how we perceive and respond to suffering. It challenges us to
trust in God's sovereignty and be open to how God's works might be displayed in
our lives, even through our hardships. As we navigate our struggles, let us
remember that Jesus is the world's light, capable of bringing sight to the
blind and illuminating the darkest corners of our lives. Through faith and
obedience, we, too, can experience His transformative power.
Prayer:
Thank you, Lord, that you have the power to heal the blind. May we pray that we would escape blindness, both physical and spiritual. Please help us live lives showing the power to change the blind into the sighted. May we reject the lies our culture feeds us. Lead us in your power to show your love and care for this world, especially the people we come across who are blind to your love and care. Amen.
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