Miracles are supposed to be unexplainable. It’s like when a family member’s terminal illness suddenly turns into a clean bill of health. It’s when you are behind on the bills and someone randomly decides to repay you, or give you a gift. Or, what about the person who you thought would always oppose you ends up being a great friend? You know miracles, unexplainable, unexpected, undeserved miracles.
That still doesn’t keep me from wanting to ask God when I get to heaven: “how did you give sight to the blind?”
I wonder if He is still restoring sight in 2017? Join me as we explore how a no-name, and a big name received their sight.
Read John 9:1-3
This seems a bit harsh to me. How is it that God can just decide to have someone be blind for a major portion of their life? Then Jesus declared that the reason for the blindness was so that “the works of God might be displayed in him.” Have you ever had to deal with something for an extended amount of time only to see God work through it in the end? If so, share it with us here at Message on social media using #MessageMag.
Read Exodus 2:11
God cares about timing and His plans are divinely time-sensitive. We see here that Moses went out and discovered that his own people were in hard labor only after he had grown up. Do you think that was by happenstance? Have you ever been exposed to something before you think you should have been? What effect did it have? Would you share it with us here at Message on social media using #MessageMag?
Read Romans 5:6
I know many people have been exposed to many things that they think their lives could have done without. Implicit in this verse is the promise that Jesus is right on time. I challenge you to call a friend or family member and let them know how you experienced a powerless moment in your life and Jesus showed up right on time. Go ahead. Make that phone call. Send that text message. It may be right on time.
Read John 9:5-7
Did the reality of this passage hit you? For a moment, close your eyes and imagine only being able to hear. Then imagine hearing a stranger forming spit in their mouth, and you hear them actually spit. Next thing you experience is a moist substance on your face. That would be the end for most of us! This young man decides to stick around long enough to get instructions to walk around in public with mud on his face. My question is this: What are you willing to go through for your deliverance? Share it with us on social media using #MessageMag.
Read Exodus 2:12
What a savage scene. Moses, fresh from the royal presence, empowered by his awareness, connection, and relation to his people decides to murder an Egyptian. How should we respond when we see our fellow brothers and sisters being oppressed? Rather than thinking about whether what Moses did was right or wrong, ask yourself whether you are doing anything right for those that are being wronged around you? Is what’s in front of you disturbing enough to take action? What are you willing to go through for someone else’s deliverance? Share it with us on social media using #MessageMag.
Read John 9:13-34, Exodus 2:13-15
How can experiencing deliverance or seeking to deliver someone cause more persecution? This man’s eyes were opened and those around him didn’t want to believe their eyes because of the how, who, and when of this man’s experience. Moses gets put on front street by the same people he fought for. Is this how it’s supposed to be? Has this ever happened to you? If so, share it with us on social media using #MessageMag.
Read John 9:35-39, Exodus 3:1-4
God had to come back around to both of these men, and I believe He does the same for us. When we think we see, we’re blind. When we’re blind is when it seems like things become clear. Sometimes God has to blot out our eyesight to illuminate our insight. For some of us our deliverance won’t come until we’re willing to look foolish for Jesus. Others of us are called to take a risk so that God can put us on a path of freeing the oppressed in times like these. The question is, can you see?
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Rashad Burden is the pastor of the Shiloh Seventh-day Adventist Church in Ozark, Alabama. He also pastors the Mt. Olive Seventh-day Adventist Church in Dothan, Alabama.
