Scripture
“If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.”

Observation
Jesus and his disciples come across a man born blind. The disciples ask who sinned for this man to be blind. Jesus replies that it is not about sin but for the purpose of glorifying God.

Jesus spits, makes some mud with the saliva and rubs it on the man’s eyes. Jesus tells the man to go and wash in the Pool of Siloam, which he does and he is then healed.

The Pharisees investigate the healing, questioning the man and his parents. The man testifies that he doesn’t know much about Jesus but he does know that he was once blind but now he can see.

Application
Religion makes us blind to the activity of God. Like the Pharisees, we can be so intent on protecting God’s reputation that we miss what He is actually doing.

Healing a man born blind was one of three miracles that only the Messiah could perform. The Pharisees needed to make sure that this healing was authentic. But their fear of promoting a false Messiah prevented them from seeing what the true Messiah had actually done. They rejected the man’s testimony and they rejected Jesus.

Some Christians are so afraid of being misled by counterfeits that they discount all miracles, healing and spiritual gifts. They then miss out on what God is doing all around them and run the risk of attributing God’s works to satan.

Jesus is still healing people and He is still performing all kinds of signs for those who will see them. We need to open our eyes, using spiritual discernment to separate God’s works from the devil’s.

Prayer
Show me Jesus what you are doing in the world now. Let me be open to the works of your Spirit. Amen.