Blind
Opening Prayer
Look back to yesterday’s Bible verse (Psa. 72:12) and turn it into a prayer of praise as you approach God’s Word today.
Read John 9:1-12
[1] As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. [2] His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” [3] “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him. [4] As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. [5] While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” [6] After saying this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man’s eyes. [7] “Go,” he told him, “wash in the Pool of Siloam” (this word means “Sent”). So the man went and washed, and came home seeing. [8] His neighbors and those who had formerly seen him begging asked, “Isn’t this the same man who used to sit and beg?” [9] Some claimed that he was. Others said, “No, he only looks like him.” But he himself insisted, “I am the man.” [10] “How then were your eyes opened?” they asked. [11] He replied, “The man they call Jesus made some mud and put it on my eyes. He told me to go to Siloam and wash. So I went and washed, and then I could see.” [12] “Where is this man?” they asked him. “I don’t know,” he said. Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
If the man hadn't sinned, why was he blind?The Jews were ready to stone Jesus for what he said–as they had been ready to stone the woman caught in adultery–but he manages to slip away (8:59). However, there’s no time to rest. There are more questions to be answered (9:2), more work to be done. From the blind man’s point of view, I imagine Jesus’ answer was liberating, refreshing (3). If people had been pigeonholing him from birth as a “sinner” to be discriminated against, he must have been so thrilled to hear that Jesus attached no guilt to his condition. No prejudices, no preconceived ideas, no labels. Wouldn’t you just love someone who saw you like that? I love the fact that Jesus heals the man without even being asked to back up his claim that he is the Light of the World. And he doesn’t hang around to get the glory–in fact, the healed man doesn’t even know where Jesus has gone! How is it that the Lord of all creation can be so self-effacing? When I do a piece of good work I wallow in it for ages afterwards–and I rather like it if everyone else shows their appreciation, too! But Jesus just does his work, and then moves on.
Apply
Does Jesus need to apply mud to you? How about to your heart? Is it “blind” to his will?
Closing prayer
Lord God, may Your power be seen at work in me today. Repair and mold me to do Your will.
Click here to sign up to receive the EXTRAs via email each quarter.
© 2024 Scripture Union U.S.A. All rights reserved. Reproduction of the whole or any part of the contents without written permission is prohibited.
Discovery is published in the USA under license from Scripture Union England and Wales, Trinity House, Opal Court, Opal Drive, Fox Milne, Milton Keynes, MK15 0DF.