Reflecting on “The Man Born Blind” John 9:1-41
This is a phenomenal teaching passage with lessons for both the congregation and its shepherd. Jesus is far more concerned with the people than the rules which govern their religious life. The goal is for us to have the eyes of Jesus instead of the heart of the Pharisee. We need to actually see the least, lost and broken and engage with them as equals rather than someone we take measured time out of our busy schedule to “do” something to.
The Lord shows us clearly that the package, that which we see from our human perspective does not necessarily reflect the image or the purpose of God. Neither is our timing God’s. To us, it is a horrible thing that this man, according to God’s will and purposes, grew up blind. However, from an eternal perspective, the blindness is but a fleeting moment and his disability naught but a scratch.
God may well have a purpose for each of us, as he did for this blind man, that will be completed in an afternoon…perhaps even in a instant. He could, at this very moment, be setting you up as a marvelous sermon illustration that will bring thousands to faith, but take only an second. He may ask us to do things that make little sense from the perspective of the world around us, but which effect things beyond us that we cannot ever conceive. All it takes for fulfillment is obedience to see the miracle of his perfect will come to fruition.
And we answer in awe, from our place of restoration, “Whether this man was a sinner I do not know. But one thing I do know…I was blind, but now I see.” The miracle of our Lord’s undying love is seared into the minds of even his detractors.
