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!