The Blind Man

Journal for Christa—

An interesting story takes place in John 9 after Jesus heals a man from blindness on the Sabbath day.

They brought to the Pharisees the man who had been blind. Now the day on which Jesus had made the mud and opened the man’s eyes was a Sabbath. Therefore the Pharisees also asked him how he had received his sight. “He put mud on my eyes,” the man replied, “and I washed, and now I see.” Some of the Pharisees said, “This man is not from God, for he does not keep the Sabbath.” But others asked, “How can a sinner do such miraculous signs?” So they were divided. (vs. 13-17, NIV)

They were divided—caught up with their rules…disputing whether or not to discredit the miracle because of their rules. Wouldn’t it seem that people would just be impressed with the miracle? After all, the man had always been blind—“from his birth.” Can you imagine his wonder? To see, really see, all the things others had described to him over the years…his hands, his feet, the sky, the mud on his fingertips as he washed in the pool. What would it have been like to see him? But, the Pharisees were focused on the rules and missed the miracle.

I wonder how often I’m focused on traditions—my daily activities—and miss the miracle when it’s right in front of my face.

Now, I ask: Just who really was blind?