March 8: Seeing the work of God
John 9:1-12 TNIV from Biblegateway.com
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 Having said this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man’s eyes. 7 “Go,” he told them, “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.
Devotional Comments:
What was the blind man thinking as he heard the footsteps approaching on the dirt road? Was he hoping for a little help or was he fearfully anticipating mockery? Was he curious about the question, “Who sinned, this man or his parents that he was born blind?” Did he expect the scornful judgment of a sinner who had gotten what he deserved? What hope to hear Jesus answer “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life.”
What was going through the blind beggar’s mind when he heard someone spit? Did he breathe a sigh of relief that they missed him? Then he felt was someone rubbing mud on his sightless eyes. No explanation and no promise of healing. Then a command to “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam”. The name Siloam means “sent” reminding us to go to the One who was sent to heal us.
Jesus saw the blind man even though the blind man couldn’t see him. Jesus sees us even when we can’t see him. Whether it is stress, busyness, illness, addiction or the mud of sin that is blocking our view of our savior, he takes us just as he finds us and restore us bringing light out of the darkness.
Jesus says “…we must do the work of him who sent me. “ How do we respond when we see someone in need? Do we speculate and ask why they are suffering? Or do we step up and do what our Father has sent us here to do just as Jesus did? Jesus gave the blind beggar the gift of sight. What gifts has he given us that we are too blind to see?
Kevin and Amber Link
Pray for help in time of stress. What better ways are there to handle your difficulties?