ODJ: seeing the light
Jesus told him, “I entered this world to render judgment—to give sight to the blind and to show those who think they see that they are blind” (v.39).
READ: John 9
Thanks to cornea transplants, some people who were born blind have gained functional use of their eyes. Nevertheless, success is rare. In his book Catching the Light, author Arthur Zajonc described the plight of one young patient this way: “The light of day beckoned, but no light of mind replied within the boy’s anxious, open eyes.”
In John 9, Jesus healed a man who was born blind. Medically, this is a double miracle. First, there’s the miracle of bringing about sight without doing a cornea transplant. Second, the man’s mind was illumined so that it could process what his eyes were viewing. But the greatest miracle is the healed man’s profession of faith (v.38). John’s account reveals that Jesus is the light of the world (v.5), and He can bring light to our eyes and to our souls—physically and spiritually (v.39).
The thought of physical blindness scares me. I imagine myself groping in darkness, unable to see the beauty of my surroundings. That was our spiritual state before Jesus came into our life. Man, by nature, is spiritually blind. Without God’s illumination, we can’t see Jesus’ beauty or the hope of eternal life. And no transplant or human effort can cure this disease.
But Jesus can! He came to fulfill the messianic promise that “when He comes, He will open the eyes of the blind” (Isaiah 35:5).
The story of Jesus healing the blind man ends with a splendid reversal of roles: The man, who was assumed to be in spiritual darkness, could see God’s light, while the Pharisees, who could see physically and were thought to be enlightened, were shown to be spiritually blind (v.41). What’s the message? To recognize that Jesus is the source of light and life—He opens our spiritual eyes to His beauty and all that is truly real. —Poh Fang Chia
Do you feel that you can’t see Jesus’ beauty? Why?
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Loading ...ODB: humble valor
November 11, 2009
READ: Philippians 2:19-30
Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness, and hold such men in esteem. —Philippians 2:29
A report by the Chicago Tribune said: “Scores of Americans, from clergymen to lawyers to CEOs, are claiming medals of valor they never earned.” Fabrication of war records and bogus claims of bravery are more widespread than imagined. One man, who falsely claimed a Navy Cross, later felt shame and said that real heroes rarely talk about what they’ve done.
Heroism is marked by an unselfish risking of life for the benefit of another. In Philippians, Paul commends two of his colleagues as true heroes of the faith. Timothy’s unselfishness and proven character gained Paul’s praise as a true son who had served with him in the gospel (2:22). And Paul described Epaphroditus as “my brother, fellow worker, and fellow soldier” (v.25) who risked his life for the work of Christ (v.30).
Paul told the believers in Philippi to “hold such men in esteem” (v.29). Honoring fellow believers for their unselfish service to God is a biblical mandate. It is not hero worship, but an attitude of respect for a life well lived.
Through a word of encouragement or a tangible expression of appreciation, who can you honor today for their humble valor in serving the Lord and helping others in His name? — David C. McCasland
Faith in Christ can make extraordinary heroes out of ordinary people.
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