And Then There Was Light

John 9: 24-25

“24 A second time they summoned the man who had been blind. “Give glory to God by telling the truth,” they said. “We know this man is a sinner.” 25 He replied, “Whether he is a sinner or not, I don’t know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!”

Jesus healed a blind man who had been blind since birth by spitting on the ground and putting mud on the man’s eyes.  In performing this miracle, Jesus chose to use the methods of healing that were common during this period of time. 

The Pharisees were not pleased that the healing had occurred on the Sabbath and they decided that Jesus was a sinner and was not from God. They summoned the healed man twice to testify before them.  

The first time they asked, “What is your opinion of him?”  He answered, “He is a prophet.”  The second time they were more direct.  They expressed their view that Jesus was a sinner.  The healed man was caught in a trap.  

He dared not contradict the learned and pious Pharisees with his opinion of Jesus.  So, he testified to what could not be questioned- the facts.  “Once I was blind and now I see.”

For all believers, everywhere, this sentence resonates with our hearts.  Once we were all in a state of blindness.  Once we all stared at the darkness. Once we were all without hope.  

And then there was Jesus.  

And then there was light.

May the love of Christ be with you,

Rev. Eric Lanier (Retired)

Are You Able

Matthew 9: 27-31

“27 As Jesus went on from there, two blind men followed him, calling out, “Have mercy on us, Son of David!” 28 When he had gone indoors, the blind men came to him, and he asked them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” “Yes, Lord,” they replied. 29 Then he touched their eyes and said, “According to your faith let it be done to you”; 30 and their sight was restored. Jesus warned them sternly, “See that no one knows about this.” 31 But they went out and spread the news about him all over that region.”

There is an old hymn that I remember singing as a child in church that has been in my head all of these years.  The refrain of this song says:

“Lord, we are able. Our spirits are thine. 

Remold them, make us, like thee, divine. 

Thy guiding radiance above us shall be 

a beacon to God, to love, and loyalty. “

(Are Ye Able, UMH #530)

In the scripture above we read about two blind men who reached out to Jesus.  Even in their physical blindness, they were able; able to see the spiritual truth of who Jesus is and what he can do.  

Blindness was a common problem in Palestine during the time of Jesus due to various diseases and infections, and lack of good hygiene.  The two blind men that followed Jesus called out to him, but Jesus did not respond immediately.  He waited until he was inside, in private, to address them alone.

At some point in our spiritual lives, we must encounter Jesus alone.  And we must privately decide if Jesus is who people say He is.  He will ask us “Do you believe I am able?”  

And if we answer yes, and if we are sincere in our answer, our eyes will be opened. But the spiritual life is about more than just seeing.  

At some point Christ will ask us, “Are you able?”

May the love of Christ be with you,

Rev. Eric Lanier (Retired)