What do you see?
Hello Saints,
Sometimes I don’t like my response to what I see around me. I realize how quick I am to judge and assume things about people, even though I know nothing about them. I have been given much in the way of upbringing – a good, stable and loving family, with enough wealth to provide education, music lessons, sports involvement, opportunities to experience a variety of travel adventures, seeing awesome sights. I have been given health and strength, and all I needed has been supplied for the enjoyment of life. I have been so blessed, that I do not even recognize all the opportunities given me throughout my lifetime. Yet, that is not the case for the vast majority of people. So many in this world are plagued with physical impediments, poverty, troubled homes, broken hearts and relationships, addiction, isolation and fear. From the moment they are born, it is an uphill battle just to survive – and it seems all the odds are stacked against them to do so.
My Bible reading has me in Job and John 9. I honestly find myself getting angry with Job’s friends who are accusing him of sinning against God, and that is the reason for the terrible “judgment” of boils on his body. And then I read in John 9 of a poor blind man, born blind, begging for survival. There are pain and anguish all around us. So many people are struggling, even suffering. From the homeless tents, to the guys who want to wash my windows at a stop light – I honestly don’t like what my thoughts are or what comes out of my mouth sometimes. I may be more like Job’s friends than I think. I am like the disciples who are quick to judge the reason for the poor beggar’s plight, “Who sinned, this man or his parents, that he should be born blind?” Do I need to blame the man for his suffering, instead of having compassion for his condition? Do I default to my bad theology instead of empathizing with the man, wondering what led to his misfortune. That’s what religious people do…they judge (John 8:15)!
Not followers of Jesus! We emulate Christ! We are about freedom! (8:31-36). Jesus quickly corrects the disciples’ theology saying, “it was in order that the works of God might be displayed in him” (9:3). Here is the response I believe I need to have when I encounter a person in need, “What does God want to do in this situation, and how does He want me to bring Him glory through this encounter?” Have you ever noticed John 9:4? Jesus says, “We must work the works of Him who sent me”. (All the translations translate it as ‘we’ except KJV and NKJ – the Greek word is ‘we’). This is a teaching moment for Jesus to instruct His disciples on how to respond to the world they see around them. In this statement, He reminds them of their mandate to preach the gospel with signs and wonders following (Mark 16:15-18). Remember His words in the synagogue: “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because He has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor” (Luke 4:18-19). I am on earth and saved to fulfill the mission of Christ, which is in Luke 4. I am His hands and feet and voice. Judgment prevents me from seeing how Jesus wants to use me to bring freedom to the captive. Like Jesus, I need to notice those around me who are in need of the Savior’s touch.
Friends, this whole story in John 9 is ultimately to point out two things:
- That we are all ultimately born in a helpless condition and need the intervention of the Son of Man to set us free from our plight. We are all under sin (John 8:34-36). We all need an encounter with the love and compassion of Jesus who wants us to step into His cleansing waters so we regain our sight and discover life free of our sin-caused impediments.
- That the truly blind are the religious, judgmental ones who do not see their need for a Saving Son of Man. The religious blind are in no position to bring freedom to anyone, but must ask themselves, “Am I blind too?” (9:40)
If you’ve been made to see…praise God! Let us never forget that we who now see the ‘Light of the world’ were once blind beggars looking for our eyes to be opened; we’ve been washed in the water of regeneration, and our response to such a merciful act, from such a seeking, loving Savior, is worship (9:38). Let’s not be stumbling blocks to other beggars looking to have their eyes opened to the Savior, but rather let us be those who “bring sight to the blind” by telling them of the love and transforming power of Christ! Let's change the way we see.
Be Blessed!
"Advancing the Kingdom of God by releasing Spirit-filled followers to serve Jesus in freedom and joy."
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