Slices
Prepare
As you begin a new set of readings, ask the Holy Spirit to bring God’s Word to life.
Bible passage
Jesus heals a man born blind
9 As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. 2 His disciples asked him, ‘Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?’
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 spat 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’). So the man went and washed, and came home seeing.
8 His neighbours and those who had formerly seen him begging asked, ‘Isn’t this the same man who used to sit and beg?’ 9 Some claimed that he was.
Others said, ‘No, he only looks like him.’
But he himself insisted, ‘I am the man.’
10 ‘How then were your eyes opened?’ they asked.
11 He replied, ‘The man they call Jesus made some mud and put it on my eyes. He told me to go to Siloam and wash. So I went and washed, and then I could see.’
12 ‘Where is this man?’ they asked him.
‘I don’t know,’ he said.
Explore
How’s your eyesight? Do you find it hard to read a book without squinting or reaching for your glasses? The ability to see easily is something not to be taken for granted. John 9 – which we will read over the next three days – is all about seeing clearly. The chapter centres on an intriguing story of a man born blind who has his sight miraculously healed by Jesus. This physical blindness is accompanied by spiritual blindness as the man has his spiritual eyes opened to who Jesus is while the watching Pharisees remain stubbornly blind (v 40).
There is a certain blindness among the crowd too as those watching are unsure if the blind man really is who they think. Is he the blind man they used to see begging? ‘No, he only looks like him’ (v 9). Then when asked where Jesus is, the healed man can’t see Jesus anywhere (v 12). There is both physical and spiritual lack of vision everywhere.
And yet amid this stands Jesus who boldly states: ‘I am the light of the world’ (v 5). The man is blind, his world is naturally dark, and yet one encounter with Jesus, ‘the light of the world’, and his physical and spiritual sight are transformed.
Respond
Take a moment today to acknowledge Jesus as ‘the light of the world’. Invite him to bring fresh light and revelation into your life.
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: Song of Songs 7,8; Psalms 99–101
Pray for Scripture Union
Pray for Mission Partner ACTIOS worker Jennifer Musson who expects to be in seven St Neots’ schools this month with regular collective worship and Open the Book assemblies. Pray too that God will provide more trustees and that they will keep their eyes on Jesus.
Shining a Light in the darkness this Halloween
Get set to share the message of Jesus with children and young people this Halloween and beyond. We’ve a brilliant range of resources to help you reach out to your friends, family and wider community.
