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“They brought to the Pharisees the man who had been blind. Now the day on which Jesus had made the mud and opened the man’s eyes was a Sabbath. Therefore the Pharisees also asked him how he had received his sight. ‘He put mud on my eyes,’ the man replied, ‘and I washed, and now I see.’ Some of the Pharisees said, ‘This man is not from God, for he does not keep the Sabbath.’”

– John 9:13-16

We saw yesterday that the man blind from birth washed the mud off of his eyes in the Pool of Siloam and left that place able to see. As he headed toward home, several people recognized him as the one who previously sat begging, and they wondered what had happened. Eager to share, he unashamedly gave Jesus the credit for his healing, and it wasn’t long before the Pharisees hunted him down to interrogate him. I can’t imagine how disillusioned he must have felt as he — one who had received so much from the Lord — sat listening to these men argue about whether or not his Savior broke the Sabbath in the midst of his miracle. As he recounted to them the manner in which he had been changed, he was probably expecting them to share in his excitement; however, far from being happy, they were looking for a reason to accuse the One who restored his sight. Seeing this must have caused a conflict in his spirit, as it revealed a crack in the institution around which many had built their lives. In fact, in that moment, he may have realized that the Jewish leaders had been wrong from the start and that the labels they ascribed to him through the years — worthless, sinner, and outcast — were not from God at all.

My friend, no matter who you are, what you’ve done, or what’s been done to you, your life matters! You are made in the image of Almighty God, and He has imprinted His likeness on your soul. When you reached out to Jesus and His hand touched yours, His image in you was awakened, and you were healed, set free from sin, and given a great future. Regardless of what religion tells you, you don’t have to earn the love and favor of your Savior. He has redeemed every mistake and cancelled every negative word spoken over you. While some seek to steal the joy of your freedom, you are loved just as you are, and good works are not the prerequisite of your salvation, but rather the evidence of it. You are chosen and accepted, so go forth today, take hold of His abundant life, and live it to the fullest!

Prayer


Jesus, I choose to lay down the chains of religion and run free in your love and mercy.

Reflection


Do you identify with the blind man or the Pharisees in this story? Why?

 

If you’re unable to attend your local church or need some additional weekly inspiration, be sure to tune into Hour of Power every Saturday night at 6:30 p.m. PT on TBN or watch online at hourofpower.org/episode.  

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