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Daily Devotions for the Advent and Christmas Seasons
Monday, January 4
John 9:1-12, 35-38
by Cynthia Joe
When Jesus and his disciples encountered a blind man, they asked Jesus, “Who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned; he was born blind so that God’s works might be revealed in him”. Jesus spat on the ground and made mud with his saliva and spread the mud on the blind man’s eyes. Jesus instructed him to go wash in the pool of Siloam. Then the blind man went to wash and returned able to see. His neighbors and others who knew him as a blind beggar did not believe he was the same person. He declared, “A man called Jesus made mud and spread it on my eyes and told me to go wash in Siloam. I washed and received my sight.” When they asked him where Jesus was, he did not know.
We can understand that blindness is not a result of sin, but Jesus claims he was born blind so God’s works will be revealed in him, and that is more difficult to grasp. The blind man did as he was instructed and received sight. Sometimes I wish that blind faith would do wonders, too. I think that we can receive insight about God’s realm only by taking a leap of faith and following Jesus’ commands.
In the last verses, Jesus seeks out the man who can now see to ask if he believes in the Son of God. The man answers, “Who is he? Tell me so that I may believe in him.” Jesus says, “You have seen him and the one speaking with you is he.” To which, the man answers, “I believe,” and worships Jesus.
Jesus returning to seek out the former blind man to ask him, “Will you believe?” is a lesson about how God comes to us again to find us when we are lost.
Prayer
Creator God, we are grateful for Jesus’ compassion in bringing sight to the blind man. May we also see with compassion the many people in need of healing and wholeness. For as God’s servants, we are called to do works of mercy and justice. Amen.