Lent 4
John 9:1–41
Prayer of the Day: Almighty God, our heavenly Father, Your mercies are new every morning; and though we deserve only punishment, You receive us as Your children and provide for all our needs of body and soul.
Grant that we may heartily acknowledge Your merciful goodness, give thanks for all Your benefits, and serve You in willing obedience; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
By His Word of the Gospel, Jesus Calls Us Out of the Darkness into His Marvelous Light
1. The disciples ask, “Who sinned…this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” This question is still asked today. We don’t deserve bad.
2. Faith hears the promise not the explanation. It is not that this many had sinned but that the Father’s work might be revealed.
3. The real miracle is seeing Jesus. The man is born blind only that he might receive faith. The man is able to see Jesus as the God who goes to die.
4. This blind man first responds to Jesus' voice. Jesus tells him, "Go, wash in the pool of Siloam," which the blind man does. He hears Jesus before he sees Jesus. The story also narrates his gradual sight, from seeing Jesus as "the man called Jesus" (9:11) to addressing him as "Lord" and worshipping him (9:38). In fact, in 9:37 Jesus himself reveals the importance of both sight and hearing when it comes to belief, "You have seen him, and the one speaking with you is that one."
Points to ponder…
1. People ask the question, “Why does she deserve this?” How might you respond? Why?
2. What is Jesus’ purpose in this miracle? Is there deeper meaning to merely receiving the gift of sight?
3. Is it possible to see Jesus without first hearing His word? How? Why?
Image: Schnorr von Carolsfeld woodcuts © WELS for private and congregational use
Images: http://www.freebibleimages.org/photos/jesus-blind-man-pharisees/
No comments:
Post a Comment