Monday of the Fifth Week in Lent

It seems to me that there are basically two kinds of people in this world when it comes to sin: those who are hung up on sin, and those who pretend that sin isn’t a thing. For some, pointing out the sins of others is easy to do, easier than seeing our own sinfulness. For others who deny the reality of God, sin is not a factor. This group would readily tout, “I’m a good person!” 
In our gospel lesson for today the disciples posed a question to Jesus about a man whom they noticed begging on the street. Perhaps he had been there for so long that the citizens of that area ceased to actually notice him. That happens when we are confronted by the realities of poverty, illness, and homelessness on a regular basis. We aren’t quite sure what we can do to help the situation so we often times look away and move on with our daily routine. 

The disciples wondered aloud, “Who sinned? This man or his parents?” The implication is that someone had to be responsible for him being born blind. In ancient days it was believed that sin was the root cause of illness and human suffering. The “neighbors” in this story were hung up on sin. They wanted answers! “Who should be held accountable for this man’s condition?” “How were his eyes opened?” “Is this the man who was blind from birth?”

Jesus’ answer turns everything upside down. “No one sinned,” He said. Not the man and not his parents. Rather, this situation is for the purpose of displaying God’s mighty works. Imagine the shock as Jesus spits on the ground and makes some mud with His saliva and the dirt. Then He rubs the mud on the man’s eyes and tells him to go and wash in the nearby pool of water, and lo and behold the man returns fully sighted! Jesus has enacted a miracle on the man and he can see for the first time in his life! Those who witnessed the miracle though were more interested in sin, blame, and concrete answers rather than rejoicing with this fellow who now had the gift of sight. God was glorified indeed — but many were focusing on the wrong thing. 

We can be blind to God’s goodness quite often, actually. We can find things to fuss and fume about, laying blame on whoever or whatever is convenient. But Jesus shows us a better way, and He opens our eyes to see His love and mercy in ways we could never imagine. 

Prayer: Loving Lord, help us not to get hung up on sin, or to dismiss the reality of our blindness. Instead, grant us the grace to see clearly Your great love for us, that You have freed us from bondage to sin and death and have opened our eyes to see Your glory. We give You thanks for Your mercy and tender care for Your beloved children. We pray this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Devotion written by the Rev. Dr. Amy C. Little