John 9:1–7

1 As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. 2 And his disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” 3 Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him. 4 We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work. 5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” 6 Having said these things, he spit on the ground and made mud with the saliva. Then he anointed the man’s eyes with the mud 7 and said to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which means Sent). So he went and washed and came back seeing.

For the whole story read: John 9:18-25, 35-38.

Modern day medicine sometimes has a way to heal the broken and sick, restore that which is lost, and ease that that which is painful. But more often, modern day medicine can only mask the problem or push off the inevitable. Even medical creations like artificial eyes only give artificial sight. A bionic eye’s own description admits that it creates a “sense of vision” for people with advanced vision loss. A “sense of vision” is not true sight––it’s not true restoration or healing. Only God can give ultimate healing.

In John 9, Jesus didn’t just heal something that was broken; He gave something that never was. This blind man had never seen but Jesus gave his eyes sight! How amazing! Further, this passage speaks into not only the need for physical healing, but for spiritual healing as well.

The blind man was given his physical sight, and through declaration of faith, his spiritual sight was restored as well. Jesus offers that same spiritual healing to all of us! He longs to give us sight to see His goodness and our need for Him. Sadly, too many people are more like the Pharisees than the blind man. The Pharisees were physically able to see the entire time; but they were spiritually blind to who Jesus truly was. Don’t let this be said of you! Follow the blind man’s example and proclaim Christ’s power: “I once was blind, but now I see!” And what happened to cause that is Jesus!

Follow the SHINE Time devotional tool to dive deeper into today’s scripture!

Seek the Lord in prayer.

Highlight a characteristic of God.

Identify a truth about yourself or people.

Notice what the Holy Spirit is communicating to you.

Engage in the next action step. Think of a way to respond in obedience to what God has revealed to you today.