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The Scriptorium

The Second Touch

Jesus brings the blind man to full healing.

The Gospel of John: John 9.28-41

Read and meditate on John 9.35, 36.
A second time, Jesus came to the man who had been born blind, this time to open the eyes of his heart, and not just his physical eyes.

                                                      35Now Jesus heard
that they had cast him out, and spoke this word
to him, when He had found him: “Friend, do you
believe in God’s own Son?” 36He said, “But Who
is He, my Lord, so that I may believe
in Him?”

- John 9.35, 36

Reflect
1.  We note that Jesus “found” this man. He went looking for Him. What did that entail? Jesus came to earth to seek lost people (Lk. 19.10), and He sends us into the world in just the same way (Jn. 20.21). What does it mean for you to seek lost people? Complete this prayer: Thank You, Lord, for seeking me. Show me how I can seek the lost today, beginning by…

2.  We may safely assume that Jesus knew full well what this man had just been through. We note, though, that Jesus did not ask him about his trial. Indeed, He showed no interest whatsoever in how this man had fared before the Pharisees. Why not? Lord, don’t let me waste my time focusing on the things that trouble me. Instead…

3.  Jesus was bringing this man’s healing to completion. Why did Jesus ask a question here, rather than simply say, “You must believe…”? How did asking a question help this man along toward complete healing? What are some questions we might ask people, to help open them to believing in God’s Son? Teach me to ask good questions, Lord. Today, as I think about the people I will see…

4.  This man was ready to believe, but he needed to be clear about the object of his faith. Mere believing is of no benefit if we don’t know Him in Whom we believe. The man said he needed to know the Son of God before he could believe in Him. How does this instruct us in our witness to the people in our Personal Mission Field? I need to be clear about You, Lord, so that…

5.  This man believed when he saw Jesus and heard Him speaking (vv. 37, 38). How does this help you to think about what is required of you in being a witness to our Lord (Acts 1.8)? Bring together into one your prayers from questions 1-4.

Summary
“Since he could not yet say ‘I believe’ but as in ignorance answered, ‘Who is he, Lord, that I may believe in him?’ he was therefore on the borderline, so to speak, between unbelief and belief.” Origen (185-254 AD)

We need to tell people that Jesus is the Son of God. He is our Savior. He is our Lord. He is King and Judge. Only when we are clear about Jesus can people be sincere in their profession of faith. In one sentence, how would you explain Jesus to someone who asked you who He is?

Closing Prayer
Praise the LORD!
For it is good to sing praises to our God;
For it is pleasant, and praise is beautiful.
The LORD builds up Jerusalem;
He gathers together the outcasts of Israel.
He heals the brokenhearted
And binds up their wounds.
He counts the number of the stars;
He calls them all by name.
Great is our Lord, and mighty in power;
His understanding is infinite.
The LORD lifts up the humble;
He casts the wicked down to the ground.
Sing to the LORD with thanksgiving;
Sing praises on the harp to our God,
Who covers the heavens with clouds,
Who prepares rain for the earth,
Who makes grass to grow on the mountains.
He gives to the beast its food,
And to the young ravens that cry.
He does not delight in the strength of the horse;
He takes no pleasure in the legs of a man.
The LORD takes pleasure in those who fear Him,
In those who hope in His mercy.
Praise the LORD, O Jerusalem!
Praise your God, O Zion!

Psalm 147.1-12

Psalm 147.1-13 (St. Ann: Our God, Our Help in Ages Past)
Praise God, for it is good to sing loud praises to the Lord!
With joy our songs of praise we bring to God and to His Word.

The Lord builds up His Church and He His people gathers in.
The broken hearts He tenderly repairs and heals their sin.

The stars He counts, He knows the name of every chosen soul;
His pow’r is great, and great His fame Who understands us whole.

The humble God exalts above; the wicked He casts down.
Sing thanks to this great God of love; let songs of praise abound.

He brings refreshing rain to earth and feeds the beasts so dear.
He puts in man’s strength naught of worth, but loves those who God fear.

O praise your God, Jerusalem, O Zion, praise the Lord!
He strengthens those who trust in Him with blessings from His Word.
           
T. M. Moore

We are happy to offer each week’s Scriptorium studies in a free weekly PDF, suitable for personal or group use. You can download all the studies in our series on the Gospel of John by clicking here. Please prayerfully consider sharing with The Fellowship of Ailbe through your giving. You can contribute to The Fellowship by clicking the Contribute button at the website or by sending your gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe, 19 Tyler Drive, Essex Junction, VT 05452.

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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing adapted from
The Ailbe Psalter. All quotations from Church Fathers from Ancient Christian Commentary Series IV a and b: John, edited by Joel C. Elowsky, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006. Verse translation of John by T. M. Moore.

T.M. Moore

T. M. Moore is principal of The Fellowship of Ailbe, a spiritual fellowship in the Celtic Christian tradition. He and his wife, Susie, make their home in the Champlain Valley of Vermont.
Books by T. M. Moore

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