Lenten Devotions
Gospel Lesson for Sunday
March 19, 2023
John 9:1-12; Genesis 3:9-13; Matthew 28:18-20
Jesus heals a man born blind
It’s all your fault!
As I’ve gotten older, I’ve found it amusing how often we play the ‘blame game’ throughout our lives.
When we’re kids, we blame our sibling or a neighbor kid for something we did to not get in trouble. “I didn’t leave the bicycle in the driveway. Johnny did it.”
The blaming of someone else for a problem continues as we get older. We’ll blame a colleague for something we did at work or perhaps were both responsible. “Honey, why didn’t you pick up pasta from the store as I asked you?” We might reply, “I don’t recall you ever asking me to do that.” Even when you now remember she did.
The blame game goes all the way back to Genesis in the Bible:
“But the Lord God called to the man and said to him, “Where are you?” And he said, “I heard the sound of you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked, and I hid myself.” He said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten of the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?” The man said, “The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me fruit of the tree, and I ate.” Then the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this that you have done?” The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.” Genesis 3:9-13
**************************The Point***********************
Today’s devotion includes the blame game I spoke about above.
“As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”
“Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him. As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming when no one can work. While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”
After saying this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man’s eyes.
“Go,” he told him, “wash in the Pool of Siloam” (this word means “Sent”).
So, the man went and washed and came home seeing.
His neighbors and those who had formerly seen him begging asked, “Isn’t this the same man who used to sit and beg?” Some claimed that he was.
Others said, “No, he only looks like him.”
But he himself insisted, “I am the man.”
“How then were your eyes opened?” they asked.
He replied, “The man they call Jesus made some mud and put it on my eyes. He told me to go to Siloam and wash. So, I went and washed, and then I could see.”
“Where is this man?” they asked him.
“I don’t know,” he said.”
John 9:1-12
These verses seem to be about a blind man, why he was blind, and the disbelief that he was healed. But there’s more to it than that; let’s break it down:
- “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” (vs. 2b)
- For some reason, the disciples believed this man was blind because of sin. So, they asked Jesus who was to blame.
- Although our actions have consequences, that doesn’t mean because you get a cold, break a leg or get cancer; it’s because of something you did wrong.
- Jesus responds explicitly to His disciples, telling them that the man was not blind because of sin.
“As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming when no one can work. While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” John 9:4-5
- Right now, is our day. While we are alive, it’s our job to do the work of Christ in this world. But, one day, night (death) will come for us, and we will no longer be able to serve in this way.
- While Jesus was in the world, He was light (He still is) for people to turn to for salvation, help, for eternal life. Jesus has left us responsible for continuing His work and spreading the Good News of the Gospel while we are on this earth.
Here’s my favorite part of this passage. After Jesus heals the blind man. People don’t believe it’s the same man. Some of his friends then ask him where this Jesus is. His reply speaks volumes, “I don’t know.” (9:12b)
- I don’t know your background, but mine was in supermarket retail. I’m not the same person I was 30-40 years ago. I’m not talking about how I look or how strong I am. I’m not the same guy.
- I’ve grown; I’ve become a new person in Christ
- 30 years ago, I couldn’t even imagine writing these words down, yet, I am.
- I’m no better than anyone who is reading this devotion. Just remember this, when you have Jesus in your heart and you have faith in Him. You are a different person, and people will notice.
- The blind man’s friends didn’t believe it was him because he could see. He was a changed man. Suddenly, he could walk down the street with authority, not bumping into people.
- Unfortunately, it seems there may have been one thing missing.
- They said to him, “Where is he?” He said, “I do not know.”This may have been a literal statement. The man genuinely didn’t know where Jesus was at the time. Or, was it a lack of faith, and he had no understanding or idea who Jesus was or what He had done for him?
Do you know where Jesus is? He is in His Work, He is in your prayers and devotions, and He is in your heart. But, most importantly, Jesus is with you and me always.
For you and I, it is still day. We are to be about the business of God while we are still here before our night comes. So, until that day comes, follow Jesus’ final directive to His disciples:
“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely, I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20
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