August 7, 2014

John 9: 34. To this they replied, “You were steeped in sin at birth; how dare you lecture us!” And they threw him out.

 This is the Pharisees talking to the blind beggar. They are the blind ones; they see an answer to the Jesus problem instead of a miracle. They are more concerned with using the fact that the man was healed on the Sabbath against Jesus than they are in celebrating the sight given to someone who had never been able to see. They revert to the original charge that the man's blindness was caused by sin to dismiss his testimony.

 This verse is outrageous! Even if you thought that the recovery of sight was something short of a miracle, surely you could rejoice with the man who could see for the first time in his life. Instead they reject him and try to bring him down. Jesus was really good to love us even in the face of people like these guys.

 Prayer: Lord, I am asking you to school me when my behavior descends to the level of these Pharisees. I know there are times when my actions are motivated by something other than loving kindness. Help me to see myself more clearly, that I may better represent You in this world.
Amen