Christian Reflection and Prayer

Lenten Meditation

Read John 9:1-16.

TEXT: "Some of the Pharisees said,
'This man is not from God, for He
does not keep the Sabbath.' But
others said, 'How can a man who is
a sinner do such things?' And there
was a division among them" (John 9:16).

Leaving the temple grounds Jesus
passes through Jerusalem. Along the
way His disciples point out a man born
blind. They ask if his blindness is a
result of his parents' sin or his own.
Jesus rejects both claims, and says
this man was born blind so the works
of God may be displayed in him. Then
Jesus gave the man sight.

When word reaches the Pharisees
there is a sharp division among them.
Some immediately reject Jesus
because He healed on the Sabbath day.
Blinded by their tradition they are unable
to see God's great purpose for the
Sabbath-to let people rest from their
labors and let God work in their lives.
Others realize the magnitude of the work
Jesus has done. Like Nicodemus before
(see John 3), they know no sinful man
could perform such a mighty miracle.
So a division arises among the Pharisees.

Jesus continues to divide people today.
Some listen to His words, consider His
miracles and are led by the Holy Spirit to
the certain faith that He is God's Son, the
Savior of the world. Others ignore the plain
truth and take issue with the way Jesus
taught and the demands they think
He makes on their lives. They doubt His
relevance and prefer to live their lives their
own way.

God grant us His Holy Spirit to know Jesus
as God's Son, our only Savior and Lord,
and to follow Him through all.

PRAYER: Spirit of God, strengthen my
faith in Jesus Christ my Lord, and give me
firm confidence when others are divided over
Him. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

Lutheran Hour Ministries