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March 26, 2017

Seeing, Feeling, Acting

Larry J. Peacock   |   Read John 9:24-41

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Lectionary Week
March 20–26, 2017
Scripture Overview

First Samuel 16 reminds us of the bold risk that Yahweh took in the anointing of this young and unheralded shepherd. If 1 Samuel 16 causes us to wonder about the adequacy of all human shepherds, Psalm 23 reassures us that one Shepherd never fails. The New Testament passages consider the tension between light and darkness as a metaphor for the conflict between good and evil. In Ephesians 5, the struggle has already been resolved but takes seriously the continuing problem of sin. By means of the love and presence of Jesus Christ, even the power of evil cannot withstand the light. Then John 9 emphasizes the power of Christ as a bringer of light in the story of the man born blind.

Questions and Suggestions for Reflection

• Read 1 Samuel 16:1-13. How often do you allow external appearances to affect your decisions? In what ways are you learning to look on the heart?
• Read Psalm 23. When do you take time for yourself by slowing your pace, breathing deeply, and allowing God to restore your soul? How might this become a daily habit?
• Read Ephesians 5:8-14. How do you discover what pleases God? How does your living reflect your discovery?
• Read John 9:1-41. When have you experienced a “healing” that brought you back into community—either at home, work, or faith setting?

Respond by posting a prayer.

John 9:24-41

24 Therefore, they called a second time for the man who had been born blind and said to him, “Give glory to God. We know this man is a sinner.” 25 The man answered, “I don’t know whether he’s a sinner. Here’s what I do know: I was blind and now I see.” 26 They questioned him: “What did he do to you? How did he heal your eyes?” 27 He replied, “I already told you, and you didn’t listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you want to become his disciples too?” 28 They insulted him: “You are his disciple, but we are Moses’ disciples. 29 We know that God spoke to Moses, but we don’t know where this man is from.” 30 The man answered, “This is incredible! You don’t know where he is from, yet he healed my eyes! 31 We know that God doesn’t listen to sinners. God listens to anyone who is devout and does God’s will. 32 No one has ever heard of a healing of the eyes of someone born blind. 33 If this man wasn’t from God, he couldn’t do this.” 34 They responded, “You were born completely in sin! How is it that you dare to teach us?” Then they expelled him. 35 Jesus heard they had expelled the man born blind. Finding him, Jesus said, “Do you believe in the Human One?” 36 He answered, “Who is he, sir? I want to believe in him.” 37 Jesus said, “You have seen him. In fact, he is the one speaking with you.” 38 The man said, “Lord, I believe.” And he worshipped Jesus. 39 Jesus said, “I have come into the world to exercise judgment so that those who don’t see can see and those who see will become blind.” 40 Some Pharisees who were with him heard what he said and asked, “Surely we aren’t blind, are we?” 41 Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you wouldn’t have any sin, but now that you say, ‘We see,’ your sin remains.

Unless otherwise indicated, scripture quotations are from the Common English Bible. Copyright © 2011 Common English Bible. Used by permission.

Sometimes good news is too good to believe. At least it seems
that way when Jesus strolls through John’s Gospel (John
5, healing one ill for thirty-eight years; John 11, the raising
of Lazarus). Here in chapter 9, the healing of the blind man is
not met with “hallelujahs” but...

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Holy One, soften our hearts so that your love may flow through us in ever-widening circles. Open our eyes to see you in each person. Amen.


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