The Miracles of Jesus
Lent – March 15, 2024
Jesus heals a man born blind
John 9:1-12; Genesis 3:9-13
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 so we don’t get in trouble. “I didn’t leave the bicycle in the driveway. Dad, Johnny did it.”
As we age, we continue to blame someone else for a problem. We’ll blame a colleague for something we did at work or perhaps for which we were both responsible. Even family members are fair game. “Why did you hit your brother?” “Well, he hit me first.”
**********************The Point********************
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
As you can read above, even Adam and Eve played the blame game. Unfortunately for them, they played the game with God.
Today’s devotion includes a miracle as well. It also asks the question, “Who’s to blame?”
“As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. And his disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him. We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” Having said these things, he spit on the ground and made mud with the saliva. Then he anointed the man’s eyes with the mud and said to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which means Sent). So, he went and washed and came back seeing.
The neighbors and those who had seen him before as a beggar were saying, “Is this not the man who used to sit and beg?” Some said, “It is he.” Others said, “No, but he is like him.” He kept saying, “I am the man.” So, they said to him, “Then how were your eyes opened?” He answered, “The man called Jesus made mud and anointed my eyes and said to me, ‘Go to Siloam and wash.’ So, I went and washed and received my sight.” They said to him, “Where is he?” He said, “I do not know.”
John 9:1-12
These verses seem to be about a blind man, why he was blind, and 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?”
For some reason, the disciples believed this man was blind because of sin. 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.
- “We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”
Right now is our day. While we are alive, it’s our job to do the work of Christ in this world. 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 the light (He still is) for people to turn to for salvation, help, and 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.”
- I don’t know your background, but mine was in supermarket retail and later church work. 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
35 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. No, 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. Most importantly, Jesus is with you and me always.
Dear Jesus, Thank you for opening our eyes when we are blind. So many times in our lives, we are blind to what You are doing. Then, your Holy Spirit opens our eyes. Then, we can see the purpose of what is happening in our lives and what you want us to do. Thank you for always being with us. Amen.
joegministries.com 