John 9:1-12
Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him. – John 9:3
In ch.8 Jesus had proclaimed that he is the Light of the world, shining his light into the darkness. However, the Jews didn’t accept his testimony. But John’s gospel narrative goes on to provide a confirming sign as evidence for Christ’s claim.
The healing of the blind is the sixth sign of Jesus’ showing forth his power and glory. Here is a man who has lived in darkness his whole life. Even if a bright light were shone on him, he wouldn’t be able to see it. This man reminds us of the spiritual condition of those who’ve yet to accept Jesus. Their blindness causes them to be unable to see a light that’s right in front of them. They cannot differentiate between truth and lies.
The motifs of darkness, light, and the forming of mud echoes the Creation account in Genesis 1, where God created the world out of darkness, beginning with light, and also created man from the dust of the ground.
For this blind man, through the mud smeared on his eyes and through obedience to Jesus’ instructions, he is given sight and also a new lease on life. Not only is he able to behold light with his newly restored eyes, but he also is given spiritual sight and faith to behold the Light of the world, the Son of Man (v.35). Jesus, the Co-creator with the Father, who came to make all things new, has made this man a new creation.
Reflection:
Christ came so that we would be freed from spiritual blindness. He shines his light into our lives and invites us to see the world and ourselves through eyes of faith. As his new creation, no longer can see things and people the same way the world sees them; no longer can we live the way the world tells us to live. Today as people of light, let us ask the Lord to give us spiritual sight to be able to tell apart truth from lies, the things and people of God from the things and people of this world. Let us also ask him to help us be able to see those living in spiritual blindness, that they, through our witness, may also come to see the Light.
Prayer:
Father, thank you that you have made new creations in Jesus and that you’ve opened our eyes to see things from a heavenly perspective. Allow us to truly see the world and ourselves as you would have us see them, and may this “vision” drive us to live for you in all that we do. We also pray for those family and friends who still live in spiritual darkness. Open their eyes, heal them of their blindness, that they may behold the Light and come to faith in Jesus, for it is in his name we pray. Amen.
In ch.8 Jesus had proclaimed that he is the Light of the world, shining his light into the darkness. However, the Jews didn’t accept his testimony. But John’s gospel narrative goes on to provide a confirming sign as evidence for Christ’s claim.
The healing of the blind is the sixth sign of Jesus’ showing forth his power and glory. Here is a man who has lived in darkness his whole life. Even if a bright light were shone on him, he wouldn’t be able to see it. This man reminds us of the spiritual condition of those who’ve yet to accept Jesus. Their blindness causes them to be unable to see a light that’s right in front of them. They cannot differentiate between truth and lies.
The motifs of darkness, light, and the forming of mud echoes the Creation account in Genesis 1, where God created the world out of darkness, beginning with light, and also created man from the dust of the ground.
For this blind man, through the mud smeared on his eyes and through obedience to Jesus’ instructions, he is given sight and also a new lease on life. Not only is he able to behold light with his newly restored eyes, but he also is given spiritual sight and faith to behold the Light of the world, the Son of Man (v.35). Jesus, the Co-creator with the Father, who came to make all things new, has made this man a new creation.
Reflection:
Christ came so that we would be freed from spiritual blindness. He shines his light into our lives and invites us to see the world and ourselves through eyes of faith. As his new creation, no longer can see things and people the same way the world sees them; no longer can we live the way the world tells us to live. Today as people of light, let us ask the Lord to give us spiritual sight to be able to tell apart truth from lies, the things and people of God from the things and people of this world. Let us also ask him to help us be able to see those living in spiritual blindness, that they, through our witness, may also come to see the Light.
Prayer:
Father, thank you that you have made new creations in Jesus and that you’ve opened our eyes to see things from a heavenly perspective. Allow us to truly see the world and ourselves as you would have us see them, and may this “vision” drive us to live for you in all that we do. We also pray for those family and friends who still live in spiritual darkness. Open their eyes, heal them of their blindness, that they may behold the Light and come to faith in Jesus, for it is in his name we pray. Amen.