I was blind, now I see
Today's focusInstead of blaming the blind man or his parents, Jesus says his life will display the works of God, and he gives him sight.
Read
1And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth. 2And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind? 3Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him. 4I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work. 5As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world. 6When he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and he anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay, 7And said unto him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam, (which is by interpretation, Sent.) He went his way therefore, and washed, and came seeing.
Reflection
When the disciples look at the man born blind, they see a problem to be explained or a sin to be blamed. They ask Jesus if the man or his parents are responsible for his condition. You may have felt this same weight before—the pressure to find a reason for your suffering or the fear that your struggles are a punishment. But Jesus quickly shifts the focus away from blame. He declares that "Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents." Your difficulties are not a measurement of your worth or your past mistakes.
Jesus looks at this man and sees an opportunity for "the works of God" to be "made manifest." As the "light of the world," Jesus moves toward the man with compassion. He uses the dust of the ground to anoint the man's eyes and sends him to wash. By obeying the word of Jesus, the man who had never seen the light of day "came seeing." This passage reminds you that Jesus is not looking to condemn you. He is the Light who enters your darkness, transforming your story into a place where God’s power and grace can be clearly seen by all.
AI-written reflection on the passage above. Let Scripture itself be the main thing.
Reflect
Where have you assumed blame or shame that Jesus may want to replace with his grace and purpose?
Pray
Lord, you are the light of the world. Where I have been blind, open my eyes. Where I have been quick to blame others or myself, show me your grace and let your works be seen in me.