Read John 9:3-7a. Circle the words that stand out to you. What is the Lord saying to you?
3 “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him. 4 As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. 5 While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”
6 After saying this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man’s eyes. 7 “Go,” he told him, “wash in the Pool of Siloam” (this word means “Sent”).
Digging Deeper
Work. That’s not for me! I’m retired at least I thought so. It seems that I am busier than ever before. This morning I drove my grandchildren to school. This afternoon I will drive my daughter-in-law for her doctor’s appointment. Late afternoon, I will drive my grandchildren to their swimming lesson. This evening I will be calling people and preparing for the Church Leader’s meeting. I’m supposed to be retired, but I feel like am I tiring out!
This passage reminds me that I am not just going through a routine of activities. There’s something more than a do list for the week. Jesus said this, “As long as it is day, we must do the works of Him who sent me.” Jesus didn’t use the first person pronoun, I. He’s not saying that I must do the work of Him and the disciples are just to watch Me work. He says that WE must do the works of Him who sent me. It’s Him, it’s them and it is also you and me. God has something planned for each of us each day, each moment.
Jesus further states that we must do the WORKS of him who sent me. Not just church work, but everything that God has planned for you and me. As I was driving my granddaughter to her school, I shared that I enjoy praying with her. I asked her, “Have you prayed with your Mommy?” She shook her head, “No.” but her brothers pray with her. I replied, I think your Mommy likes us to pray with her. Will she pray with her Mommy? I hope she will.
If you don’t have grandkids to drive to school, don’t worry. There may be an opportunity to share a spiritual truth with someone in your own everyday tasks. This doesn’t happen all the time but being sensitive to the Spirit’s leading will make our day not a “have to do” day, but looking forward to seeing what God will do day.
Jesus didn’t talk about the reason for the man’s blindness. He did something about the man’s blindness. It was the Father’s will that this blind man was healed so that he can see visually. The narrative is not just about a blind man seeing. It is much deeper. But before we get there in the next devotion, remember that what you and I are doing has spiritual significance in someone’s life if we allow the Spirit of God to guide us. Ask the Spirit of God to open your eyes and heart to see how you can minister to someone today and every day thereafter. Your life will take on a different meaning that is more than your “have to do work.”
-Kingston