Seeing a man they all knew had been born blind, the
disciples asked (clearly expecting Jesus to know the correct answer), “Whose sin caused this?” They’d been
raised in a society where physical impairments were seen as punishments from
God. Jesus said, “This man was born
blind so that God’s power could be shown in him.” Only God
would know that, and it was so contrary to public belief! If the man had heard their conversation, I
imagine his entire perspective might have changed instantly!
Jesus spat on the ground, stirred in some dirt, and placed
the mixture on the man’s eyes. These
actions, to the Pharisees, would be work,
and it was the Sabbath. He then told him
to go wash it all off in a pool. Keep in
mind that he’d not yet seen Jesus –
only heard His voice.
Healing someone born
blind had never happened before.
Rather than being amazed, the
Pharisees were incensed. It didn’t fit their rules. They started an
investigation, not to declare it a miracle, but to trap Jesus! “There are none
so blind as those who will not see.”
The man’s parents, afraid of the Pharisees, evaded their
inquiries. The son, however pretty much
told them to stuff it. He wasn’t going to let rule-following get in
the way of God-worshiping.
Amazingly, the Pharisees told him, “You should give God the
glory by telling the truth.” And he did, just as Jesus told the disciples
that this was the reason for his
blindness.
Father, please keep me from ever trying to get in the way of
what You are doing. If I’ve allowed
myself to be blinded spiritually, open my eyes and show me what You’re doing. I don’t want to be like these men.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
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