"I do not know whether he is a sinner. One thing I do know, that
though I was blind, now I see." (v. 25)
SEEING GOD’S LOVE CLEARLY
When I sat down to write
this, my mind seemed to be blank. After I carefully and prayerfully
read John 9, it was no better. I must have been waiting for divine
inspiration when the phone rang. An elderly woman from our church had
been taken by ambulance to a hospital. Could I go to see her? I’m one
of the parish nurses for our congregation, so I went, but very
reluctantly. I really thought I needed that time to get my writing
done.
At the hospital, it was obvious that our lady was seriously ill.
She held my hand and gave me a weak smile as I attempted to comfort and reassure
her and her family. I knew that was where God wanted me to be that afternoon. He
accepts us as we are and will work through us if we will only answer his call
and come to him.
In this story from John 9, Jesus was walking with his disciples
when he saw the man who had been blind from birth. The disciples asked if the
blindness had been caused by the sins of the man or his parents. Jesus explained
that neither this man nor his parents sinned. The man was blind so that God’s
works could be revealed in him. Jesus restored the man’s sight by making mud and
spreading it on his eyes. When the man washed in the pool of Siloam, he was able
to see.
The man’s neighbors took him to the Pharisees, and they asked
how he had received his sight. Some said Jesus was a sinner for making the mud
on a Sabbath. The man answered, "I do not know if he is a sinner. One thing I do
know, that though I was blind, now I see." He told the Pharisees that Jesus must
be from God. They became angry and drove him away.
Later, when Jesus found him and spoke to him, the man who had
been blind believed and worshiped Jesus as Lord. Jesus had accepted the blind
man as he was and revealed God’s work in him.
Dear Gracious God, we thank you for loving us just as we are.
Barbara Lee
