March 22 | John 9:1-11

Elaine Pierce
6 days ago
3 min read

DAILY READING

REFLECTION

Assigning Blame

By Elaine Pierce

Isn't it interesting that the disciples wanted to know why the blind man was born blind: "who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind? (v. 2)" There had to be a reason they could understand.....it reminds me of Job's well-meaning friends. Initially they were very sympathetic to Job's misfortunes. They travelled a great distance to be with him. They spent a week with him in great sympathy before they offered advice. But their advice was wrong. They all agreed that it must have been Job's fault. He did something to 'deserve' these tragedies. God's response to their advice is clear:

I am angry with you and your two friends because you have not spoken the truth about me (Job 42:7).

Just like Job, the blind man didn't deserve his suffering. You may find yourself dealing with a difficult boss.....a marriage in crisis....a frightening health diagnosis...a child with special needs ....Do you ever find yourself saying "Why me, Lord? I am your faithful servant - I don't want to suffer!" You might consider asking a different question: Why not me? Scripture is clear that all have sinned and fall short. As we repeat most every Sunday in the prayer of confession:

Most merciful God,

we confess that we are in bondage to sin

and cannot free ourselves.

We have sinned against you

in thought, word, and deed,

by what we have done

and by what we have left undone.

We have not loved you

with our whole heart;

we have not loved

our neighbors as ourselves.

Thank the Lord that the prayer doesn't end there. Yes, we have sinned. This world is not perfect, and every day we see the results of our sin and our neighbor's sin. Try as hard as we can, we can't fix this on our own. Jesus reminds the disciples that "While I am in the world, I am the light of the world (v. 5)."

Jesus heals this blind man. He tells his neighbors that "the man they call Jesus made some mud and put it on my eyes. He told me to go to Siloam and wash. So I went and washed, and then I could see. (v. 11)."

I may be able to see just fine with no corrective lenses, but I have so many blind spots to my own faults and weaknesses. Thanks be to God that I have a savior who died for me, who paid the price for my guilt. I can stand before the Father without stain or blemish, just like this blind man. He did what Jesus told him to do, and he could see. What a gift!

PRAYER

Pray the rest of the prayer confession today and each day:

For the sake

of your Son Jesus Christ,

have mercy on us.

Forgive us, renew us, and lead us,

so that we may delight in your will

and walk in your ways,

to the glory of your holy name.

Amen.

Find refreshment and renewal in your savior's arms, and share His love with others.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

ELAINE PIERCE

It is a delight and joy to write Sunday's UALC Blog post. I have been a UALC member for 20+ years and I value our community of believers. I draw strength from God's Word, and it is my hope that you join me in seeking to grow closer to Him as we read, study, and pray together. I've been married to Gene for 47 years, and we have four grown children and nine grandchildren. It is an exciting time to be alive, and I count it all joy to serve him, even in the midst of challenges. To God be the glory, for the great things he is doing!