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Fourth Sunday of Lent

Man Born Blind Graphic

God Gives New Life and Healing to the Man Born Blind

Fourth Sunday of Lent

Reflection based on:
John 9:1-41

As I reflected on this Sunday’s Gospel about the healing of the Man Born Blind. I noticed the one thing that I kept returning to. It was "why" the Jews did not believe that he had been healed by Jesus and blind since birth and then they even questioned his parents. The Jews were still not satisfied, they questioned him a second time. However, during this time of questioning he became very frustrated and answered them by saying, "One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see!"

After reading that part of the narrative about the disagreement and conflict of the healing, all that kept going through my mind without ceasing was the words from the familiar song "Amazing Grace." "One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see!" Those words played over and over again in my mind. Know that at that point I became very curious about this song. I have to admit I couldn't even remember who the composer was that wrote the Hymn.

So, I turned to one of my trusty search engines, to research more information about that famous Hymn, "Amazing Grace." I discovered a very insightful story about the composer. The Hymn was written by John Newton; he was an eighteenth century British slave trader who had a dramatic faith experience during a storm at sea. He gave his life to God, left the slave trade, became a pastor, and wrote hymns. His life's journey led him from disgrace to amazing grace and was transformed from a wretch to a son of God...by God's amazing grace.

My reflection took on a whole new revelation after reading the story of Newton's spiritual sight, and the blind man's physical and spiritual sight. John's account of the healing of the man born blind is certainly a sign, for it points to Jesus the Healer and the Light of the World.

As I continued to reflect on the story, I seemed to have focused on the importance of seeing, or "spiritual sight." Also, very important is the recognition of Jesus, and the focus on the importance of hearing. The blind man first responds to Jesus' voice. Jesus tells him, "Go, wash in the pool of Siloam," which the blind man does. He hears Jesus before he sees Jesus. The story also reveals his gradual sight, from seeing Jesus as "the man called Jesus" to addressing him as "Lord" and worshipping him. In fact, Jesus himself reveals the importance of both sight and hearing when it comes to belief, Jesus said to him, "You have seen him, and it is he who is speaking to you."

How blessed was the man born blind to have met Jesus who offered him comfort, assurance, healing and eternal life. In return, the man who received his physical and spiritual sight, worshipped Jesus, face to face! Wow!

 

Amazing Grace

  1. Amazing grace! How sweet the sound
    That saved a wretch like me!
    I once was lost, but now am found;
    Was blind, but now I see.
  2. ’Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
    And grace my fears relieved;
    How precious did that grace appear
    The hour I first believed.
  3. Through many dangers, toils and snares,
    I have already come;
    ’Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far,
    And grace will lead me home.
  4. The Lord has promised good to me,
    His Word my hope secures;
    He will my Shield and Portion be,
    As long as life endures.
  5. Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
    And mortal life shall cease,
    I shall possess, within the veil,
    A life of joy and peace.
  6. The earth shall soon dissolve like snow,
    The sun forbear to shine;
    But God, who called me here below,
    Will be forever mine.
  7. When we’ve been there ten thousand years,
    Bright shining as the sun,
    We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise
    Than when we’d first begun.

John Newton, pub.1779
v.7 by
Anonymous/Unknown, pub.1829

copyright status is Public Domain