Day 30: Blind and yet I see

Scripture Readings: Jeremiah 25.8-17 and John 9.18-41

 

Today’s passage in John 9 continues the account of a miracle. Jesus applies clay on the eyes of a blind man, bringing sight for the first time. The Pharisees buzz about, bothered by Jesus’ presence and scandalized by miracles happening on the Sabbath. They label Jesus a Samaritan, a sinner and a demon.

The Pharisees call the healed man in for questioning. “So you say you were blind. Then this Jesus person gives you sight and now you see. Is that your story?” The man says it is his story, and he is sticking to it. The Pharisees summon the parents. “Is he your son? Was he blind?” They hate to enrage the Pharisees, but yes and yes, the parents confirm. They refer the flock of Pharisees back to the man.

“So, one more time. You say you were blind. Why do you now see? This Jesus is a sinner.” Well, the man says does not know about the whole sinner part, but he was blind and now he sees. It is a marvel! The Pharisees cast the man out, reminding him of his birth in utter sin. They cannot make sense of the mystery, so they shun the messenger.

Jesus seeks out the man. In a simple exchange, the man states his faith in Jesus as the Son of Man. The man was blind and now he sees.  No calling of witnesses. No interrogating bystanders. No consultation with his parents. His eyes open to see the world and to see God in one sweep of mercy.

The miracle – the marvel – of sight happens today. While Jesus used clay in John’s account, the Spirit of God uses a wide array of means to bring us to sight. In our relationships with people of our world, God shines light into our darkest corners, illuminating our hard edges and calling us to grace, mercy, forgiveness, compassion and faithfulness.  I thought I was pretty well put together until our two daughters were born. The sheer magnitude of Life in those young ones quickly undid me. My illusion of control and order flew out the window. Watch this, God said.  The girls have been mirrors of clarity used to transform me each and every day.

The Spirit uses my elderly parents and in-laws as a lesson in sight. When I am at my wit’s end with the wheels falling off the best-laid plans, God consistently shines a shard of light to change my view. Can you see? See Love? See Life?  See past this moment to eternity? I was on the bathroom floor trimming my mother’s gnarly, old-folk toenails. The toenails were not cooperating with my hurrying. A sunbeam burst through the window. It warmed my head. It shone on my mother’s face. She smiled at me. Take me now, Lord, I thought. This is as close as we get to Heaven, so take me now.

I love Easter time. Death is redeemed into Life. I do not know how God works. I do know that God works. I was and am blind. I see now and will see even more. It is a marvel.

 

Joni Grace Powers, FirstChurch member, author



Day 3: The Great Shema

Scripture Readings: Deuteronomy 7.12-16 and John 1.35-42

Moses, the reluctant leader, recites what becomes the great shema of the Israelite people: “Hear, O Israel: The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. “ Moses continues with a call to devotion and faithfulness in Deuteronomy 6. “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might.” How many of us recited those very words in catechism class or Sunday School? I always said the scripture with hesitation and a softer voice. The “all” and the “heart, soul, might” parts seemed too much to hope given my performance to date.

Moses describes the blessings for God’s people when they are obedient to their calling. The blessings cover everything: fruit of the womb and the ground, grain, wine, oil, flocks, health, and you name it. He warns against the snare of turning away from God. The Israelites declare intentions of purity and truth. Yet time and time again, their wanderlust finds them dancing with abandon in the temples of other gods.

In John 1, John the Baptist calls out to Jesus: “Look, there is the Lamb of God!” Imagine Jesus just walking by you. The men with John, including Andrew, immediately latch onto Jesus. Andrew grabs his brother and brings him along. “We have found the Messiah!” So begins the cadre of disciples who will follow Jesus until death and beyond. They pledge to never leave or forsake Him. We know the story: the disciples’ journeys are rocky and fraught with drama. Andrew’s brother, Simon Peter, is the very one who denies even knowing Jesus, as a crowd questions his loyalties.

I say the great shema with desire in my whole being to love God well. I want to pursue God as my greatest affection and to follow the Lamb. But I settle for so much less. I chase lesser loves. I walk away from blessings in search of who knows what.

I lean hard on the beginning of John 1. “And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, full of grace and truth.” I need the undeserved, unmerited favor of a covenant-keeping God. Grace saves me over and over. Truth calls me back to “The Lord is our God, the Lord alone.”

This Lenten season, may the Spirit work in you to rejuvenate and renew your love for God and for all human beings loved by God. May God Emmanuel, who became flesh and lived among us, shine grace and truth into every nook and cranny of your being. In this, may you find peace.

Joni Powers, FirstChurch member, author