Thoughts on the Gospel of John (69) - All The Good Seed Daily Devotionals for 2023

Therefore the neighbours and those who previously had seen that he was blind, said, Is not this he who sat and begged? Some said, This is he. Others said, He is like him. He said, I am he. Therefore they said to him, How were your eyes opened? He said, A man called Jesus made clay and anointed my eyes and said to me, Go to the pool of Siloam and wash. So I went and washed, and I received sight. Then they said to him, Where is he? He said, I do not know.
John 9:8-12.

Thoughts on the Gospel of John (69)
A blind man had been healed by Jesus and could now see. People who knew the blind beggar could not conceal their astonishment and wonder, for just as blind eyes disfigure a person’s face, eyes that can see totally alter the facial expression.

The neighbours doubt whether it is really the same person. But the fact was indisputable. The beggar confirmed it. Then they wanted to know how it had happened. They had clearly forgotten Isaiah’s prophecy: “Your God will come. … then the eyes of the blind will be opened” (ch. 35:4.5). This promise was now fulfilled in Jesus. He was the Messiah. This healing proved it.

Christ is now in heaven, sending His messengers to the spiritually blind “to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins” (Acts 26:18).

The blind man’s reply is absolutely clear. So far he knew little of Jesus, but what he knew he declared with certainty. It is similar with people who have experienced conversion. They can speak of their salvation, although they still know little of their Saviour.

(to be continued next Sunday)

Today’s reading: The Song of Solomon 1:1-17 · Mark 7:24-37