A New Way to See
Sunday’s Verse:
From John 9:5 ESV
(Jesus said) “As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”
John 9 shares the story of Jesus healing a man born blind. Jesus’ disciples ask Him a “law” type question: “Who sinned, this man or his parents?” They wanted answers – they wanted to know why this happened, so they could play the balancing scale game of justice. Jesus refused to entertain that thought. Instead of giving them a theological dissertation on how evil happens in this world, He created something new.
Jesus spits on the ground and makes mud. This recalls Genesis, where the Creator forms man from the dust of the ground. But for this blind man, Jesus wasn’t just “repairing” eyes, He was recreating them.
Jesus tells him to go wash in the Pool of Siloam (which translated means “Sent”). Think about that for a moment. This was an overt “Type” or shadow picture of Holy Baptism. The man went. He washed. And came back seeing.
The lesson: Sight is a gift. This man didn’t have to journey “spiritually” to gain his sight. He didn’t have to pray hard enough or have enough faith. He simply received what the “Sent One” (Jesus) put in the water and was given sight.
As this story unfolds, there is great irony. The man who sat in physical darkness begins to see Jesus more clearly (at first “the man,” then “a prophet,” then “Lord”). The Pharisees, however, who had 20/20 physical vision, became blind because they refused to see the Grace before them.
Maybe today you feel like that blind man. Maybe you feel like the world around you is scary or unknown. Remember that your relationship with God has nothing to do with your “spiritual vision.” You have nothing to earn or figure out.
Jesus is coming to you in your darkness. He created you. Through His Word and the “washing” of His promise, you are given a new way to see. One that doesn’t see a world ruled by fear and chaos, but one where Jesus is making all things new.
✝️ A Prayer for Today:
Lord Jesus, Light of the World, thank You that You don’t wait for us to stumble across You. Instead You come to us in our state of blindness. Wash us daily in the promise of our Baptism. When the world around us grows dim or chaotic, open the eyes of our heart to see Your hand at work. Amen.
Apostles’ Creed:
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer:
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Luther’s Morning Prayer:
I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen.
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