The Upper Room Daily Devotions of Nashville, Tennessee, United States "Clearer Vision" for Monday, 25 April 2016 with Scripture: John 9:13-15 They marched the man to the Pharisees. This day when Jesus made the paste and healed his blindness was the Sabbath. The Pharisees grilled him again on how he had come to see. He said, “He put a clay paste on my eyes, and I washed, and now I see.”
16 Some of the Pharisees said, “Obviously, this man can’t be from God. He doesn’t keep the Sabbath.”
Others countered, “How can a bad man do miraculous, God-revealing things like this?” There was a split in their ranks.
35 Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, and went and found him. He asked him, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?”
36 The man said, “Point him out to me, sir, so that I can believe in him.”
37 Jesus said, “You’re looking right at him. Don’t you recognize my voice?”
38 “Master, I believe,” the man said, and worshiped him.
39 Jesus then said, “I came into the world to bring everything into the clear light of day, making all the distinctions clear, so that those who have never seen will see, and those who have made a great pretense of seeing will be exposed as blind.”
40 Some Pharisees overheard him and said, “Does that mean you’re calling us blind?”
41 Jesus said, “If you were really blind, you would be blameless, but since you claim to see everything so well, you’re accountable for every fault and failure.”
-------Jesus said, “I came into this world for judgment so that those who do not see may see, and those who do see may become blind.”[John 9:39 (NRSV)]
One day, I accompanied my friend to an eye appointment. While there, I was asked if I wanted to undergo the same eye examination as my friend. I said that I didn’t think I needed glasses. I felt I could see well enough. However, I decided to go ahead with the examination, more out of curiosity than a sense of need. After the exam, the ophthalmologist explained that my vision was not good and that I should have begun using glasses years ago. The doctor further explained that when people come in for appointments, they are often convinced their vision is fine because they have no point of reference. They are not aware of their poor vision until they look through graduated lenses and notice the difference.
After this experience, I reflected on our relationship with God. We believe that our relationship is fine — that is, until we have an experience of God’s joy, peace, assurance and loving presence that deepens our relationship. We view things through a different lens and gain a new perspective — one that brings us into closer intimacy with God.
The Author: Algae Loya Lozano (Chihuahua, Mexico)
Thought for the Day: When I focus on God, I can be more open to the transforming love of my Creator.
Prayer: Loving God, we are grateful for the joy of knowing you. Help us to proclaim your word to those who do not know you. Amen.
Prayer focus: Ophthalmologists---------------------
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