February 27
Bible Reading: John 9:6-12
John 9:10-12, “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.’”
During a routine eye exam some years ago, the optometrist found I had a small retina tear. She was so concerned; she called in her superior. They then asked if they could bring some interns so that they could have a look at it too. They scheduled me to have laser surgery as soon as possible. Fortunately, they corrected the issue, though I’ve since had to have my eyes examined yearly. The process of diagnosing and correcting that eye malady cost a lot of time and travel and VA money. Jesus healed the man born bling in an instant with no ophthalmologist training or equipment.
It was an unprecedented miracle that clearly testified to the truth regarding Jesus. When Jesus healed the man born blind, “the works of God (were) displayed in him” (John 9:3). The blind man, his sight having been restored, testified to the unprecedented nature of the miracle: “Never since the world began has it been heard that anyone opened the eyes of a man born blind” (John 9:32).
Centuries-old prophecies stated the Messiah would give sight to the blind (Isaiah 35:5). The religious leaders knew of these prophecies. For centuries, they waited for the arrival of their Messiah, but then blindly failed to recognize him when he came.
Though he had previously proclaimed Jesus as Messiah, the imprisoned John the Baptist began to doubt. Jesus was not acting like he expected the Messiah to act. He sent messengers to Jesus, asking, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another” (Matthew 11:3)? Included in Jesus’ response to John was the fact that “the blind receive their sight” (Matthew 11:5). That Jesus was opening the eyes of the blind was proof positive that He was the Christ, the Son of God (John 20:31).
Jesus restored sight to the man born blind, in a miracle that attested to His true identity. Jesus continues to open the eyes of the spiritually blind so that they might trust in Him. John Newton, the former slave-ship captain turned pastor, had his spiritual eyes opened and then went on to faithfully serve Jesus for many years. He wrote about that, saying: “Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost, but now am found. Was blind, but now I see!” Such is the testimony of all those who have had their eyes opened to the glory of Christ (2 Corinthians 4:6)!
Our task in this dark world is to direct the spiritually blind to the One who can open their eyes and enlighten and enliven their souls.
AMAZING GRACE
Amazing grace (how sweet the sound)
that saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found,
was blind, but now I see.
‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
and grace my fears relieved;
how precious did that grace appear
the hour I first believed!
Through many dangers, toils and snares
I have already come:
‘tis grace has brought me safe thus far,
and grace will lead me home.
The Lord has promised good to me,
his word my hope secures;
he will my shield and portion be
as long as life endures.
The earth shall soon dissolve like snow,
the sun forbear to shine;
but God, who called me here below,
will be forever mine.
LookingtoJesus 