You Are Not Who You Were
“‘I am the man,’ he said.” John 9:9 (NIV) Three words. The whole chapter in miniature. When the neighbors and bystanders could not agree on whether this was even the same person they had always known, the man born blind…
Outnumbered but Unshaken
“Then they hurled insults at him and said, ‘You are this fellow’s disciple! We are disciples of Moses!’” John 9:28 (NIV) He stood alone in a room full of experts. The man born blind had no religious training, no legal…
The Sign Hidden in the Name
“‘Go,’ he told him, ‘wash in the Pool of Siloam’ (this word means ‘Sent’).” John 9:7 (NIV) God hides theology in geography. Jesus did not send the blind man to just any pool of water. He sent him to Siloam,…
The Mud He Did Not Ask For
“He spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man’s eyes.” John 9:6 (NIV) Nobody asks for the process that changes them. The man in John 9 did not request mud on his…
Born Into the Dark
“As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth.” John 9:1 (NIV) Some burdens began before you did. The man in John 9 did not lose his sight in an accident. He was not careless with something he…
The Sign That Points Beyond Itself
“After the people saw the sign Jesus performed, they began to say, ‘Surely this is the Prophet who is to come into the world.’” John 6:14 (NIV) The crowd saw the miracle and still missed the point. They watched Jesus…
Let Nothing Be Wasted
“‘Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.’ So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten.” John 6:12-13 (NIV) Jesus fed thousands…
He Blessed It Before He Broke It
“Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish.” John 6:11 (NIV) Jesus gave thanks before anyone had eaten a single bite. The…
Bring Your Imperfect Offering
“‘Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?’” John 6:9 (NIV) Andrew brought something and apologized for it in the same breath. He went looking when…
The Math Is Not Mathing
“Philip answered him, ‘It would take more than half a year’s wages to buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!’” John 6:7 (NIV) Your math is not the problem. Philip was not being foolish or faithless when…