John 9
Pastor JoAn Blackmon
“As He (Jesus) went along, He saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, ‘Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?’ ‘Neither this man nor his parents sinned,’ said Jesus, ‘but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life.’” John 9:1-3
It is the “why question” that so many of us stumble with. “Why was I born this way?” “Why did this happen?” “Lord, why?” In this passage, the disciples see a man who is blind and wonder why. Coming from a theology of “if you live right, your life will be blessed,” they asked the One who knows everything to teach them something. “Who sinned?” “What went wrong?”
The answer Jesus gave was unexpected. Amazingly enough, this man’s blindness had something to do with the secret plans and purposes of God. He was a miracle about to happen. And looking for the miracle is much more meaningful than digging for the dirt.
Healing came when the man who had always lived in darkness, responded to the One who had come to bring Light. God’s grace reached out to man’s need. Man’s faith responded to God’s Word. In that moment, the miracle happened. And for the rest of eternity, this man’s life gives witness to an encounter with the compassionate, powerful, healing Savior.
And now we understand. We are all born blind. In desperate need of God’s miraculous touch. Jesus is passing by and He would like to take this moment and use it for eternity.
“Jesus, I welcome Your life-changing power to come into my life. Open my eyes to see You…your perspective…your purpose. I invite You to use the circumstances of my today-life for Your forever-glory. Amen”
Did you know that Pastor JoAn grew up in northern Wisconsin and is an avid Green Bay Packers fan?