John 9:24-34
Find a place and time free of distractions for the next 7-10 minutes. Sit comfortably and breathe deeply for a few seconds before you begin. If you haven’t read the Introduction to John’s Gospel, read it here.
If you haven’t already, look over the first two parts of the story of Jesus’ healing of the blind man in John 9:1-23. Pay special attention to the reaction of the man’s parents in verses 20-22. Then read John 9:24-34 as if you were listening to the exchange between the Pharisees and the healed man.
In First Century Israel, religious community was more than a once or twice a week commitment. The religious system permeated every aspect of Jewish life. For the healed man’s parents a declaration in favor of Jesus would put them in danger of being expelled from the synagogue and shunned by friends and family. Their fear of rejection leads them to sidestep the questions of the Pharisees.
But the man born blind is used to rejection. Even Jesus’ own disciples mistakenly believe that there is a direct correlation between the man’s disability and either his or his parent’s sinful behavior. This man has spent his life aware that the religious community considers him to be a little less human and a little less worthy of dignity than everyone else.
But here he stands healed and whole with his sight restored.
Can you think of a time when you felt rejected or shunned? Recall this for a moment and then read John 9:24-34 again noticing the boldness of the healed man.
The formerly blind man has received more than just physical sight. He sees clearly that the religious establishment, the very people who pushed him to the margins of society, are not worthy of his loyalty. He does not fear being expelled from the synagogue community because he has already lived in rejection and isolation for his entire life.
This man has experienced transformation inside and out, and his loyalty belongs to his deliverer. The outcast is now the teacher. He was blind, but now he sees clearly.
Some of us have a moment in time we can point to where we were given spiritual sight, but for others of us it was a process that took place over time. The important thing is that we can look back and say, “Once I was blind, but now I see.”
How has Jesus given you spiritual sight? As you look back over your life, what is different about the way you view your life and the world around you? Talk to Jesus about this for moment.
The Apostle Paul wrote that “Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then [that is, when we are made perfect] we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely (1 Corinthians 13:12).”
Spend the last few moments of your time today meditating on Paul’s words and talking to Jesus about anything you are thinking or feeling.
If at any time you sense that Jesus is calling you to an action of some kind, write it down and plan to take a step in that direction today.
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