Less words, more life
Alberto González Muñoz
: The story of the man born blind in John 9 shows that Jesus has the power to heal and bring new life. Despite the Pharisees' refusal to believe in Jesus' miraculous powers, the healed man testified to the reality of his experience, saying, "I was blind and now I see." As Christians, we should pray for those who reject our message and strive to reflect the love of Jesus in our lives.
Whether or not faith in Jesus Christ brings something to life can only be confirmed by believers in him. It is possible that many people tell you that it is not worth it or see the Christian experience from the wrong perspective, not knowing how much Jesus can contribute to anyone's life.
On one occasion, Jesus passed near a man born blind and his disciples asked him if he was like this because of a sin of his own or of his parents. In ancient times, and sometimes still today, many people believe that illness is God's punishment for some sin. If God were to punish all sins with disease, there would not be a single healthy human being! It is true that sometimes certain diseases are the consequence of some sinful or careless behaviors, but we should never accuse those who are sick of guilt.
Jesus clarified that the man was not blind because of his own father's sins or his own, and approaching him, he made a little mud with his saliva and earth, smeared it on his eyes, and sent him to wash in a nearby pool. When the blind man returned, he had completely recovered his sight, and there was an uproar throughout the town.
The enemies of Jesus did not want to accept the miracle. Some hinted that the man born blind and the man who returned from the pool with his perfect sight were not the same person. The matter reached the religious of the time, the Pharisees, who interrogated the man several times. They also refused to believe that Jesus had the power to perform such a miracle and called the parents of the healed man to see if it was the same person. They confirmed that he was, and that he was indeed born blind.
Then the Pharisees called the man again and began to convince him that Jesus had no special powers and that he was a simple sinner like everyone else, to which the blind man replied:
"Whether he is a sinner or not I don't know." But I was blind and now I see. It amazes me that you don't know who he is, but he opened my eyes to me (John 9:25).
Many deny and reject the efficacy of the Christian faith. Our speeches and even our insistence can provoke them even more rejection. Let us pray to the Spirit of God to touch their hearts, because otherwise those who do not want to hear will not hear no matter how hard we try and insist. As God answers our prayers for those to whom we preach, let us strive to reflect in each moment the love of Jesus and the reality of his teachings in us.
God bless you!
On one occasion, Jesus passed near a man born blind and his disciples asked him if he was like this because of a sin of his own or of his parents. In ancient times, and sometimes still today, many people believe that illness is God's punishment for some sin. If God were to punish all sins with disease, there would not be a single healthy human being! It is true that sometimes certain diseases are the consequence of some sinful or careless behaviors, but we should never accuse those who are sick of guilt.
Jesus clarified that the man was not blind because of his own father's sins or his own, and approaching him, he made a little mud with his saliva and earth, smeared it on his eyes, and sent him to wash in a nearby pool. When the blind man returned, he had completely recovered his sight, and there was an uproar throughout the town.
The enemies of Jesus did not want to accept the miracle. Some hinted that the man born blind and the man who returned from the pool with his perfect sight were not the same person. The matter reached the religious of the time, the Pharisees, who interrogated the man several times. They also refused to believe that Jesus had the power to perform such a miracle and called the parents of the healed man to see if it was the same person. They confirmed that he was, and that he was indeed born blind.
Then the Pharisees called the man again and began to convince him that Jesus had no special powers and that he was a simple sinner like everyone else, to which the blind man replied:
"Whether he is a sinner or not I don't know." But I was blind and now I see. It amazes me that you don't know who he is, but he opened my eyes to me (John 9:25).
Many deny and reject the efficacy of the Christian faith. Our speeches and even our insistence can provoke them even more rejection. Let us pray to the Spirit of God to touch their hearts, because otherwise those who do not want to hear will not hear no matter how hard we try and insist. As God answers our prayers for those to whom we preach, let us strive to reflect in each moment the love of Jesus and the reality of his teachings in us.
God bless you!
