Now I See! 

John 9 

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 would be born blind?’ Jesus answered, ‘It was neither that this man sinned, nor his parents; but it was so that the works of God might be displayed in him. We must work the works of Him who sent Me as long as it is day…while I am in the world, I am the light of the world.’ 

He applied clay to my eyes, and I washed, and I now see. 

Jesus is drawn to a blind beggar who was blind since birth. Jesus makes a stunning revelation. He says that God caused this man to be born blind to show the works of God. Does God do that sort of predestining work very often? Does he cause hardships in our lives in order to accomplish His purposes? To show forth His power and glory…even if it causes much pain and suffering to the recipient? 

I’m just sayin’? Seems like pretty harsh treatment of this man to cause hm to be blind since birth in order to provide Jesus an object lesson. However, the result was this man came to believe in Jesus. Verse 38 says, “And he said, ‘Lord, I believe. And he worshiped Him.’  

So, yes, it was an object lesson for the disciples, the Pharisees and the people but it also was the experience God used to bring this formerly blind man into the Kingdom of God forever. We tend view life from an earthly perspective, but God always has an eternal perspective. Yes, he suffered blindness for many years but he is currently spending eternity in heaven. Not a bad trade off. God is good, all the time. Even when it seems that He is not.

Before Jesus proceeds with the healing, He takes a moment to train His disciples for future ministry when in verse 4 he says, “We must work the works of Him who sent Me as long as it is day…” He said “we”. Then He says “while I am in the world, I am the Light of the world.” This is inferring that when He ascends from the world, that they, His disciples will carry on and be the light of the world. In Matthew 5:14 Jesus says, “you are the light of the world…”  

After this improtu teaching moment with His disciples to prepare them for their future “light shining” ministry, Jesus proceeds with “the work” He (and we) are called to do. 

• He heals the blind man. We are to serve and bless those in need. 
• He leads the man to faith in Him. We are share the gospel of Jesus with individuals we encounter. 
• He teaches the truth to those who will listen; whether skeptics (the Pharisees), seekers and all those who would believe. 

Lord, may I be more in tune with you throughout the day so that you can guide me to be a light to those around me. May I watch and pray and to do the works you have called me to do. Amen!