November 26, 2010
Central Truth
God is constantly at work to bring about healing and restoration for His people. To be imitators of Christ, we also must work.
"We must work the works of Him who sent Me as long as it is day; night is coming when no one can work." (John 9:4)
1 As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. 2 And his disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” 3 Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him. 4 We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work. 5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” 6 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 7 and said to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which means Sent). So he went and washed and came back seeing.
8 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?” 9 Some said, “It is he.” Others said, “No, but he is like him.” He kept saying, “I am the man.” 10 So they said to him, “Then how were your eyes opened?” 11 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.” 12 They said to him, “Where is he?” He said, “I do not know.”
13 They brought to the Pharisees the man who had formerly been blind. 14 Now it was a Sabbath day when Jesus made the mud and opened his eyes. 15 So the Pharisees again asked him how he had received his sight. And he said to them, “He put mud on my eyes, and I washed, and I see.” 16 Some of the Pharisees said, “This man is not from God, for he does not keep the Sabbath.” But others said, “How can a man who is a sinner do such signs?” And there was a division among them. 17 So they said again to the blind man, “What do you say about him, since he has opened your eyes?” He said, “He is a prophet.”
18 The Jews 1 9:18 Greek Ioudaioi probably refers here to Jewish religious leaders, and others under their influence, in that time; also verse 22 did not believe that he had been blind and had received his sight, until they called the parents of the man who had received his sight 19 and asked them, “Is this your son, who you say was born blind? How then does he now see?” 20 His parents answered, “We know that this is our son and that he was born blind. 21 But how he now sees we do not know, nor do we know who opened his eyes. Ask him; he is of age. He will speak for himself.” 22 (His parents said these things because they feared the Jews, for the Jews had already agreed that if anyone should confess Jesus 2 9:22 Greek him to be Christ, he was to be put out of the synagogue.) 23 Therefore his parents said, “He is of age; ask him.”
Do you ever feel like miracles don't happen anymore? Or that the best of God's involvement happens somewhere else, but not in your circle?
I often get lost in the daily responsibilities of my work, family, friends, and home. I am busy spending time with my family, attempting to plan the future, maintaining the home and cars, preparing our children for college, and pondering our next life stage without kids. All of these seem to take precedence over the work that God is doing in and around me. I struggle to maintain a disciplined life in Christ, but I have sometimes lost my way and failed to see God's work.
As I study this Scripture, Jesus shows me that miracles occur so that we can witness God's love and action for His people. Are we quick to see a problem with ourselves or others? Do we then expect God to "fix the problem of sin"? This passage shows that this kind of thinking is misguided.
But He shows us more. By healing the blind man, Jesus is demonstrating the work He is all about: healing, restoring, building our faith, demonstrating His power, and leading us to freedom.
Yet others, such as the Pharisees, look for ways to distract from the real story so that maybe they won't have to confront the truth. I can see myself in the ways the Pharisees respond, such as by not trusting the truth, by placing blame on circumstances or others, or by rationalizing my issues and problems.
This passage is a hard truth that needs a place in my life. Do I believe and trust today that God is at work? God, grant me faith to see Your work today.
1. In what ways has God been involved in important circumstances in your life?
2. How might you see a larger view of God in your current circumstances today?
FAMILY DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. What was wrong with the man Jesus passed on the road?
2. What did Jesus say the man’s blindness would be used to show (verse 3)?
3. What are things in your life that would be like this man’s blindness? (weaknesses or other limitations: e.g., learning difficulties, physical limitations, etc.)
4. How have you seen God use these things in your life to show others God’s glory OR how can you let Him use them to show others who He is?