27th January
“As Jesus was walking along, He saw a man who had been born blind from birth. “Rabbi,” His disciples asked Him, “why was this man born blind? Was it because of His own sins or His parents’ sins?””
John 9:1-2
Sadly, if a person was sick from birth, in an Israelite context, that could only have meant one thing; Either the person’s future sin or that person’s parent’s sin. Of course this ‘theory’ was quickly quashed by Jesus, but in reality, society rejected those with disabilities, infirmities, or illnesses. They were classed as unclean, as ‘not fit to be with society’ kind of people. Yet that is not what Jesus saw. He saw through the cultural necessities, the religious laws and the judgemental attitude of the people. Instead Jesus saw a soul that needed Him. He saw a man, burdened by his situation, an outcast of society, rejected by his piers and utterly helpless. Jesus reached down, healed the man and gave him a new life.
Friends, Jesus has not stopped doing this. He lives, and continues to reach those in desperate need of Him. He doesn’t look at the situation you are in, judging you as to whether you deserve Him or not. He is impartial. He reaches down and lifts us out of the dire straits we may find ourselves in. Not just with physical sickness, but spiritually, and mentally too. Once you have met the risen Jesus, you will never be the same again.
