Day 15 John 9:5,35-38
“While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” (v5)
Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, and when he found him, he said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?”
“Who is he, sir?” the man asked. “Tell me so that I may believe in him.”
Jesus said, “You have now seen him; in fact, he is the one speaking with you.”
Then the man said, “Lord, I believe,” and he worshiped him.
John 9:5,35-38 NLT
For Reflection:
A Sabbath day that began like any other for this man suddenly turned extraordinary, then flipped upside down as he was confronted by the Pharisees, deserted by his family and neighbors, then thrown out of his synagogue by its leaders. What happened?
This man had been born blind was accustomed to living on the margins of society. Earlier in this chapter, Jesus noticed him sitting in his usual place, a beggar on the side of the road, no longer seen by those who pass by him every day. Depersonalized: a blind man. Jesus saw him. He went to him; and restored his sight. When the Pharisees caught news of this happening on the Sabbath, suddenly the miracle of gaining his sight was overshadowed by judgment, accusations, and rejection.
As this man newly experiences seeing faces, images, and sights to go with the familiar voices, pathways, sounds all around him, he abruptly finds himself isolated—from family, community, his synagogue. What is Jesus’s response to this injustice? He seeks him out. He goes to him—again, bringing mercy and justice, spiritual healing and wholeness. Face-to-face, Jesus invites him to know Him; He gently, lovingly affirms his value and worth as He reveals Himself as the Lord, saying “he is the one speaking with you…” The one speaking to him. On purpose, with purpose. Jesus is saying he is worthy of love and attention. This man who has been ignored and now abandoned by those close to him, was being truly seen and spoken to by Jesus. In response, he believed and worshipped Him.
Do I have blind spots as I look at or pass by others? Do I speak life? I ask Jesus to restore my sight and give me words of life to speak.
Let Us Pray:
Lord Jesus, thank you for loving us, for seeing us, coming to us, speaking to us. Would you restore my spiritual sight and help me to truly see and love others as individuals – neighbors, enemies, and those who are outcast or ignored. Lord, would you help me to walk in your light, by your light, with you, as you enable me to live as your light in our world. Would you help me value every person, seeking and seeing your image in each one and following your example demonstrated so clearly through Scripture. Would you help me to notice my blind spots, and to see you and others more clearly through your vision. Help me to notice those who are overlooked, to help them to see and know you—our true source of life, light, hope, peace, wholeness, and freedom. In love, would you help us all to cultivate harmony and peace, speaking life, hope, truth, peace, justice, and love into the world around us. I love you, Lord, and trust you will guide. In your holy name, I pray. Amen.
Questions:
I wonder what Jesus invites me to see, believe, and do through this passage?
I wonder who I tend to overlook? Are there individuals or groups of people I am judging as less-than?
I wonder how God might use me to help others see their value in His eyes?