Our daily reflections follow the M'Cheyne Bible reading plan, designed for those who want to read the whole Bible in one year. Each reflection focuses on one of the chapters from that day's readings. Darllenwch rhain yn Gymraeg.
Lord, prepare me to receive your word. Clear my mind and warm my heart. Assure me of your loving purposes for me, and speak into my life today.
John Newton's great hymn Amazing Grace quotes from the story of the healing of the man born blind: 'I once was lost, but now am found/ Was blind, but now I see.' He uses it as a picture of grace.
The story is an important one. Jesus corrects the common idea that people suffer because they deserve it. The point, he says, is that God should be glorified (verse 3). In this case it was through a healing; even when someone is not healed, God's power can still be seen at work in them.
We don't perhaps always appreciate how funny the story is. The Pharisees are outraged that Jesus should have healed the man on the Sabbath. They refuse to believe he was really blind (verse 19); they are baffled and bewildered, and in the end they tell him he is too much of a sinner to have anything to teach them. Perhaps when believers today are alarmed at the thought of God breaking the rules to do something wonderful, they look just as amusing.
It's the words of the former blind man that really resonate, though. He cuts through all their hostile argument with a simple testimony: 'One thing I do know: I was blind, and now I see' (verse 25).
We can be intimidated at the thought of having to argue for our faith against people who might be cleverer than us. But there is no argument against that testimony of what God has done for us.
God, thank you for the miracles you have done in my life. Help me to recognise your grace to me, and help me to be ready to speak of what you have done for me.
This reflection was written by Mark Woods, Bible Society's Editor
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