In The Dark
To reflect God’s heart to the world around us, we need to know God’s heart and, we believe, God’s heart is most clearly represented in Jesus. In the weeks leading up to Easter, we invite you to explore the life of Jesus by reading the Gospel of John with us. As we delve into the richness of scripture, we’ll utilize the ancient practice of Lectio Divina, which invites us to slow down and posture our hearts to hear from God. With that said, let’s begin with a prayer:
Open your time by reciting these words:
Lord, as I approach scripture, prepare my heart to encounter You in its pages. Quiet the distractions that pull me away and open my eyes to see Your truth. May I encounter these words humbly, with an open mind and a receptive spirit. May my time in Scripture be a sacred encounter that deepens my relationship with You and transforms me into the image of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Lectio (Reading)
Take a moment to read John 9 slowly and attentively. As you read, pay attention to any words or phrases that stand out to you. Allow the text to wash over you, inviting the Holy Spirit to speak to your heart.
Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, and when he found him, he said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?”
“Who is he, sir?” the man asked. “Tell me so that I may believe in him.”
Jesus said, “You have now seen him; in fact, he is the one speaking with you.”
Then the man said, “Lord, I believe,” and he worshiped him.
Jesus said, “For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind.” John 9:35-39
Meditatio (Meditation)
One day, as Jesus was walking, he came across a man who had been blind since birth. Moved by compassion, Jesus healed the man's blindness. When Jesus asked him if he believed in the Son of God, the healed man told Jesus yes and began to worship. News of this miraculous healing spread, attracting the attention of the Pharisees, who came to investigate. They learned that it was Jesus who had given sight to the blind man, and that this healing had taken place on the Sabbath. A heated debate ensued among the Pharisees, questioning whether Jesus, if he truly were the Son of God, would violate the Sabbath, or if a sinner could perform such miraculous signs. Both sides of the divided Pharisees missed the mark completely. Being blinded spiritually, they could not see the beauty of what Jesus had done. They could not see the love God has for ALL His people. They could not see Jesus as the fulfilled prophecy they had been long waiting for.
In Jesus’ day, blindness was a metaphor for sin and sight was a metaphor for righteousness. Jesus told the Pharisees that though they could see physically, they were deliberately choosing to be blind spiritually. The Pharisees knew the prophecy of the coming Messiah better than most and yet could not see Jesus for who He truly was. Pride had hardened their hearts, keeping them in the dark. But this man who had been in the dark his whole life, believed the instant Jesus gave him sight.
Take a moment to reflect on the words you have read. Pay close attention to the interaction between Jesus and the man blind from birth. Notice how Jesus reframes the man's condition as an opportunity for God's glory to be revealed. Consider the religious leaders’ reaction to Jesus' healing of the blind man on the Sabbath. What fears, insecurities, or preconceptions might have fueled their skepticism and resistance toward Jesus.
Contemplatio (Contemplation)
What a beautiful encounter this man had with our Savior! Jesus noticed him, approached him, and healed him. How encouraging that though the man was once blind to Jesus, Jesus was never blind to the man. He loved him and gave him true sight. Jesus also sees us. Unlike the Pharisees, He doesn’t care how much we know or how much we don’t. He cares about our hearts. He loves us, draws near to us, and longs to heal us. How we respond to this love determines how we truly see Christ. The man who was once blind responded in worship; a beautiful response indeed.
Take a moment to consider how Jesus sees us even in times when we may not see Him. He loves us and draws near. How have you been responding to God’s unconditional love?
Actio (Action)
Rather than seeing the man’s blindness as a mere coincidence or tragedy, Jesus reveals a profound truth: the man's condition is an opportunity for God's glory to be displayed. This challenges our conventional understanding of suffering and hardship. Instead of viewing them solely through the lens of pain, we're invited to see them as potential canvases upon which God's grace and power can be painted. Just as Jesus used the man's blindness as a stage for his miraculous healing, God uses our struggles to make His name known. In our weakness, His strength is made perfect. Our trials become the backdrop against which His grace shines most brilliantly. When we allow God to work through our hardships, we become living testimonies to His faithfulness and love.
Take a moment to consider a recent struggle or hardship you have faced in your own life. Consider how your experience of God's grace and strength might be magnified through this situation. What would it look like to approach your circumstances not as an obstacle but an opportunity?
Oratio (Prayer)
Close your time by reciting this prayer or lifting up your own:
Heavenly Father, thank you for seeing us. We praise You for stepping down from Your throne to be with us, to draw near to us, and to heal us. Help us see You in a fresh and new way. Soften our hearts to all You have done and are doing. We worship Your holy name. In Your name, Jesus. Amen.