Lent - Day Twenty-Three - From Blindness to Sight

 Lent Devotions from Concordia University 2024

24 So for the second time they called the man who had been blind and said to him, “Give glory to God. We know that this man is a sinner.” 25 He answered, “Whether he is a sinner I do not know. One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see.” 26 They said to him, “What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?” 27 He answered them, “I have told you already, and you would not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you also want to become his disciples?” 

John 9:24-27

Our Lord opens blind eyes. His intervention to restore sight to the blind man in today’s reading is miraculous. However, it is just as miraculous that God grants eyes of faith so that we may believe in Christ as Lord. We learn this from the response of the Pharisees who thought that they saw spiritual things perfectly, but could not see their need for a savior. They were blind to their own sin and unwilling to see God’s way of salvation in Jesus Christ. Their refusal to repent kept them in darkness and guilt.

We are conceived and born in that same darkness. But by an act of God, we are delivered from darkness into his marvelous light. While Christ has given us sight and brought us into the light, our sinful flesh still desires the darkness. Like scales slowly growing over our eyes, sin attempts to dim our sight with pride, self-righteousness, impatience, selfishness, or any number of things. Perhaps John was recalling the events of Jesus and the blind man when he wrote these words in his first Epistle: If we walk in the light, as he is in the light we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:7-9) God is light. Through him, we see.

Prayer: 

Dear Lord, 

              Thank You for giving me eyes of faith with which to clearly see my sin as well as Your saving grace. [Yes, I want to be Your disciple] By Your grace, help me to fix my eyes on You as the Author and Finisher of my faith. Amen.

Further Reading - John 9:24-41

24 So for the second time they called the man who had been blind and said to him, “Give glory to God. We know that this man is a sinner.” 25 He answered, “Whether he is a sinner I do not know. One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see.” 26 They said to him, “What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?” 27 He answered them, “I have told you already, and you would not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you also want to become his disciples?” 28 And they reviled him, saying, “You are his disciple, but we are disciples of Moses. 29 We know that God has spoken to Moses, but as for this man, we do not know where he comes from.” 30 The man answered, “Why, this is an amazing thing! You do not know where he comes from, and yet he opened my eyes. 31 We know that God does not listen to sinners, but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does his will, God listens to him. 32 Never since the world began has it been heard that anyone opened the eyes of a man born blind. 33 If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.” 34 They answered him, “You were born in utter sin, and would you teach us?” And they cast him out.

35 Jesus heard that they had cast him out, and having found him he said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” 36 He answered, “And who is he, sir, that I may believe in him?” 37 Jesus said to him, “You have seen him, and it is he who is speaking to you.” 38 He said, “Lord, I believe,” and he worshiped him. 39 Jesus said, “For judgment I came into this world, that those who do not see may see, and those who see may become blind.” 40 Some of the Pharisees near him heard these things, and said to him, “Are we also blind?” 41 Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you would have no guilt; but now that you say, ‘We see,’ your guilt remains."

Coming Out of the Darkness

Do not gloat over me, my enemies! For though I fall, I will rise again. Though I sit in darkness, the LORD will be my light.
Micah 7:8 NLT

There are those times in life that are so dark and grievous. Left to our own devices, we might never find our way out of the darkness. But praise God! We are not left to our own devices! In John 8:12, Jesus Himself tells us that He is the light of the world. 

There is NO darkness that can completely obliterate the Light and there is NO darkness that can stop the Light from shining. I've used the illustration before about the former Astrodome. With every light off and the whole of the building being as black as pitch, if you stood on the baseball field and struck one match, the light from that one little match would be visible from anywhere in the 18-story high stadium. 

The Son of God is SO much more than one match. 1st Peter 2:9 NKJV tells us, But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light...  He called us out of darkness - you coming?

Prayer:

Father,

           Thank You that in everything You make the way clear and bright for us. Your Word is a lamp for our feet and light for our path. Thank You for calling us out of the darkness of this world into Your marvelous light. Holy Spirit, keep us ever mindful to keep looking to the Light that shines even brighter as the Day gets closer. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Light in the Darkness

Light shines in the darkness for the godly. They are generous, compassionate, and righteous.
Psalm 112: 4 NLT

In Scripture, darkness often refers to troublesome times. I have to say that encourages me on two counts. One - God's Word acknowledges there will be troublesome times, so He's aware, and two, Scripture also speaks of light in relation to the darkness. We all know that if it's dark, we just need to find the light. 

Isaiah prophesied about Jesus' coming in terms of darkness and light (Isaiah 9:2). The Gospel of Matthew, chapter 4:16, quotes Isaiah: ...the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light. And for those who lived in the land where death casts its shadow, a light has shined. Praise God! Jesus came to show us the way out of our darkness.

For those who follow the Lord, God promised His light to shine on our path. In John 8:12 NLT, Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life."  Yes, we just need to find the Light.

Prayer:

Father,

          Thank You for sending Your Son to shine His light in our dark times. We pray according to Your Word in Psalm 43, Send out Your light and Your truth; let them guide me. Let them lead me to Your holy mountain, to the place where You live. Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise You again— my Savior and my God! In Jesus' Name I pray. Amen

Enough Light

The people who walk in darkness will see a great light. For those who live in a land of deep darkness, a light will shine.

Isaiah 9:2 NLT

I'm sure you know the number one excuse for not reading the Word of God is that it's hard to understand. I have to admit, I used to use the same excuse. Today's promise contains the words of Isaiah, prophesying of Jesus being born into the world. The Messiah, the Light of the World. The book of Isaiah can be very difficult to read. It's not easily understood and for those of us with focus challenges, it can be really tough. I probably would never have known our text for today was a prophecy regarding the life of Christ had someone not shed some light on it.

Have you ever noticed that the more we need to see detail or the more we require a better view, the more light we need? Operating rooms, doctors and dentists and almost the entire medical field require intense light to perform. Our Father, the Great Physician, has given us the Light of the world for all to see. You might be thinking, That's a little over the top. I don't have anything that urgent... No?  Have you ever said... Turn on the light, I can't see...Come here under the light, so I can see what I'm doing...I need more light than what I have here...?

In truth, the vast majority of us never think about light, in and of itself, but rather as a tool, an aid for seeing. However, light is vital to our lives in more ways than we ever think about - for sustaining the life cycle itself, if you think about the whole ecological realm. Here's something on a smaller scale that I was thinking about, but I hope it may make as big an impact.

How many times in our lives have we gotten up in the middle of the night and stubbed our toe because we didn't turn on the light? In familiar territory, where we know the lay of the land. Of course, something might have been out of place - that happens at times - but more often than not, we smack it on something that's been in the same place for a long time. (Can I get an Amen or perhaps a commiserative Ouch!) If we'd turned on the light, or had a nightlight, or used a flashlight, our chance of walking into something because we didn't see it would be virtually non-existent.

There are so many obstacles in our path as we wend our way through life. If it's silly (and hazardous) for us to walk around in the dark in our own homes, why then, do we try to walk through life without any Light? How many obstacles trip us up and cause us to fall because we didn't see them? Psalm 119:105 NLT, a very familiar text, reads, Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path. Wouldn't we like to see where we're going? And if we know where we're going, wouldn't it be best to be sure the way is lighted? We could avoid a lot of pitfalls and problems with the proper Light.

John 1:1-5a NKJV, In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness...

Spend time in His Word, the Light of the world - a lamp to guide our feet and a light for our path. The Light to see where we're going AND to make sure we get there.

Prayer:

Father,
          Thank You for providing everything and the Only thing we'll ever need to see our way clear to You. Give us understanding. Open our spiritual eyes so that we may see. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Friends' Favorites - Shining Out of the Darkness

Feed the hungry, and help those in trouble. Then your light will shine out from the darkness, and the darkness around you will be as bright as noon.
Isaiah 58:10 NLT

It's back to school season. Everywhere you look, it's all that's advertised. Lots of charities looking for donations of school supplies, clothes, non-perishables for school lunches, etc. You may have your own family to outfit for school. So what do you do? Some people will skip lunches or give up sodas and use the money to donate to help others. Skip lunch? You mean, like fasting? Yes, if and only if, that's what God is speaking to your heart. 

So let's read what He has to say about fasting in Isaiah 58 (New Living Translation). 

What good is fasting when you keep on fighting and quarreling? This kind of fasting will never get you anywhere with me. You humble yourselves by going through the motions of penance, bowing your heads like reeds bending in the wind. You dress in burlap and cover yourselves with ashes. Is this what you call fasting?
Do you really think this will please the Lord?

No, this is the kind of fasting I want: Free those who are wrongly imprisoned; lighten the burden of those who work for you. Let the oppressed go free, and remove the chains that bind people. Share your food with the hungry, and give shelter to the homeless. Give clothes to those who need them, and do not hide from relatives who need your help. Then your salvation will come like the dawn, and your wounds will quickly heal. Your godliness will lead you forward, and the glory of the Lord will protect you from behind. Then when you call, the Lord will answer. ‘Yes, I am here,’ he will quickly reply.

Remove the heavy yoke of oppression. Stop pointing your finger and spreading vicious rumors! Feed the hungry, and help those in trouble. Then your light will shine out from the darkness, and the darkness around you will be as bright as noon. The Lord will guide you continually, giving you water when you are dry and restoring your strength. You will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring. Some of you will rebuild the deserted ruins of your cities. Then you will be known as a rebuilder of walls and a restorer of homes.

When you strengthen and encourage and provide for someone who has less than you, you are rebuilding. When you help a single parent (mom or dad or grandparent) by providing for their child or children, you are restoring a home. Matthew 5 tells us, Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. James 1:27 reads, Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you. 

Christmas isn’t the only season to shine...

Prayer:

Father,
           Open our eyes and our hearts and our wallets to see the opportunities around us that will allow us to shine out of the darkness for Your glory. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Friends' Favorite - Shine the Light

Light is sweet; how pleasant to see a new day dawning.
Ecclesiastes 11:7 NLT

I stopped again this morning to watch the sunrise out over the water. I wanted to witness the miracle of it one more time. I am fascinated with the wonder that each sunrise has been unique for as long as there has been the dawning of a new day.

This morning I was struck with the realization that even before the sun actually appeared on the horizon, the clouds of night began to reflect the light of it. And the light replaced the dark with beautiful color. Just like the Son does in our lives. We may not see Him, but as we draw closer to Him, He gives us beauty for ashes.

For me, sunrise never loses its wondrous beauty. I have watched many new days dawn over one beach or another. Some by design because I got up early just to watch the sunrise. Other times were because I'd worked all night long and on my way home, the sun rose to greet me. And then there were the times when the night seemed to go on forever, not only in the dark of the night but in the dark of my soul, as well. Times when I despaired of ever seeing light again, and yet faithful, just as sure as there is a heaven, the sun would peer over the horizon, glimmering, shimmering across the water to the sand at my feet, spreading its warmth around me, my hope rising with the sun. And I would be reminded one more time that Jesus is the Light of the World.

What a blessed hope! No matter how dark the night of your soul, Jesus came so that you might have LIFE and have LIFE more abundantly. He IS the hope to light our way. And the Light overcomes darkness EVERY time.

Prayer:

Father,
           Shine Your Light to show us the way. Cause us to be a true reflection of You and Your Light, to provide hope for the hopeless in a lost and dying world. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Light & Dark

This is the message we heard from Jesus and now declare to you: God is light, and there is no darkness in him at all.
1st John 1:5 NLT

Strange how we humans tend to live our lives as though God is made in our likeness; as though we have to make allowances for those times He doesn't do what we want Him to do. That we would dare to think God is somehow lacking. And as though we think that God will overlook our "little" sins because of it. 

If so, we are deceived. There is no such thing as "little" sin. Sin is a BIG DEAL - such a big deal that Christ died for it! Paid with His very life's blood to redeem us from it.

Continuing with verse 6, So we are lying if we say we have fellowship with God but go on living in spiritual darkness; we are not practicing the truth. 7 But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin.

Light is life. Think about the Creation story - the world was without form and empty until God said, "Let there be light" and then it was on from there. We can live in the light because Jesus IS the Light of the world.

8 If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. 9 But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.  

According to 1st John 2:1b-2) ...if anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the one who is truly righteous. He himself is the sacrifice that atones for our sins—and not only our sins but the sins of all the world.  Understand this - we WILL sin because we are flawed, but we do not have to LIVE in the darkness created by sin. We can live in the Light.

Prayer:

Father,

          Help us to live in the light as You are in the light, so that we may have fellowship with each other, and be cleansed from all our sin by the precious Blood of Jesus. Most of all, we want to be in right relationship with You, living in Your Truth. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

A Black Friday

From the sixth hour until the ninth hour darkness came over all the land. At the ninth hour, Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”…
Mark 15:33-34 NIV

From the writings of Spurgeon:
"This darkness tells us all that the Passion is a great mystery, into which we cannot pry. I try to explain it as substitution, and I feel that where the language of Scripture is explicit, I may and must be explicit too. But yet I feel that the idea of substitution does not cover the whole of the matter, and that no human conception can completely grasp the whole of the dread mystery. It was worked in darkness because the full, far-reaching meaning and result cannot be beheld of finite mind. Tell me the death of the Lord Jesus was a grand example of self sacrifice— I can see that and much more.

Tell me it was a wondrous obedience to the will of God—I can see that and much more. Tell me it was the bearing of what ought to have been borne by myriads of sinners of the human race, as the chastisement of their sin—I can see that, and found my best hope upon it.

But do not tell me that this is ALL that is in the cross. No, great as this would be, there is much more in our Redeemer’s death. God only knows the love of God; Christ only knows all that He accomplished when He bowed His head and gave up the ghost. 

There are common mysteries of nature into which it were irreverence to pry, but this is a divine mystery, before which we put our shoes from off our feet, for the place called Calvary is holy ground. God veiled the cross in darkness, and in darkness much of its deeper meaning lies; not because God would not reveal it, but because we have not capacity enough to discern it all. 

God was manifest in the flesh, and in that human flesh He put away sin by His own sacrifice, this we all know, but “without controversy great is the mystery of godliness.” Once again, this veil of darkness also pictures to me the way in which the powers of darkness will always endeavor to conceal the cross of Christ. We fight with darkness when we try to preach the cross.

“This is your hour, and the power of darkness,” said Christ, and I doubt not that the infernal hosts made in that hour a fierce assault upon the spirit of our Lord. Thus much we also know, that if the prince of darkness is anywhere in force, it is sure to be where Christ is lifted up. To becloud the cross is the grand objective of the enemy of souls. Did you ever notice it? These fellows who hate the gospel will let every other doctrine pass muster, but if the atonement is preached, and the truths which grow out of it, straightaway they are awakened. Nothing provokes the devil like the cross. Modern theology has for its main objective the obscuration of the doctrine of the atonement. These modern cuttlefish make the water of life black with their ink. They make out sin to be a trifle, and the punishment of it to be a temporary business, and thus they degrade the remedy by underrating the disease. We are not ignorant of their devices.

Expect, my brethren, that the clouds of darkness will gather as to a center around the cross, that they may hide it from the sinner’s view. But expect this also, that there darkness shall meet its end. 

Light springs out of that darkness—the light eternal of the undying Son of God, who having risen from the dead, lives forever to scatter the darkness of evil."

Prayer:

Father,
Thank You for Your Living Word - And for those who lived in the land where death casts its shadow, a light has shined. Thank You for the Light of the World - Your precious Son - who redeemed us from sin, death, hell, and the grave. Open our spiritual eyes to see Your Light so that we may walk in the light as He is in the light. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Taken for Granted +

Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”
John 8:12 NKJV

I hate getting up in the middle of the night without a light. I've whacked my foot against the furniture so many times, my little toe is in a permanent "tuck or duck" position! How about when the electricity goes off during a storm and we're groping around for a flashlight or candles? Why is it we always want light more so when we can't get it? Is it that we take it for granted until it's gone?

It is written in 1st John 1:6-7 NLT, So we are lying if we say we have fellowship with God but go on living in spiritual darkness; we are not practicing the truth. But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin.  With that, why would anyone choose to continue to walk in darkness when they can have the Light of Life? Why would anyone choose an eternity where they will be cast into outer darkness - where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth? (Matthew 8:12, 22:13, 25:30). 

Do we think we have forever to make the choice to follow Jesus? Do we take for granted His mercy and grace and patience?  Peter wrote,  But you must not forget this one thing, dear friends: A day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day. The Lord isn't really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent. But the day of the Lord will come as unexpectedly as a thief. Then the heavens will pass away with a terrible noise, and the very elements themselves will disappear in fire, and the earth and everything on it will be found to deserve judgment.

Prayer:

Father,
         We want to live in the light, as You are in the light. Your Word is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path. Help us to help others see and understand that if we follow You, our steps will be sure. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen.