John 9:8-12
8 The neighbors and those who had seen him before as a beggar were saying, “Is this not the man who used to sit and beg?” 9 Some said, “It is he.” Others said, “No, but he is like him.” He kept saying, “I am the man.” 10 So they said to him, “Then how were your eyes opened?” 11 He answered, “The man called Jesus made mud and anointed my eyes and said to me, ‘Go to Siloam and wash.’ So I went and washed and received my sight.” 12 They said to him, “Where is he?” He said, “I do not know.”
Reflection
He who created man from dust has used dust to restore him (John 9:11). As the earth’s original Creator (1:2–3), Jesus was sent into the world to lift the curse of sin and restore the world in an act of new creation. His miracles are reminders of the day when there was no brokenness (Eden). At the same time, these works of restoration are foretastes of the day when all brokenness will be removed forever (the new heaven and new earth; Rev. 21:1). Jesus has launched the eternal age to come!
Hebrews 8:1-7
8: Now the point in what we are saying is this: we have such a high priest, one who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, 2 a minister in the holy places, in the true tent that the Lord set up, not man. 3 For every high priest is appointed to offer gifts and sacrifices; thus it is necessary for this priest also to have something to offer. 4 Now if he were on earth, he would not be a priest at all, since there are priests who offer gifts according to the law. 5 They serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things. For when Moses was about to erect the tent, he was instructed by God, saying, “See that you make everything according to the pattern that was shown you on the mountain.” 6 But as it is, Christ has obtained a ministry that is as much more excellent than the old as the covenant he mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises. 7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion to look for a second.
Reflection
The priesthood and its duties in Israel only served as a “shadow” of heavenly realities (Heb. 8:5). They provided a picture that forecasted what was to come, but they themselves were destined to pass away when the reality appeared. With the arrival of Jesus, Israel’s shadows gave way to the goal they had anticipated. He is the true and eternal High Priest (7:23–28) who brings a new and better covenant (8:6–7; cf. 7:22; 8:8–13)—an agreement that graciously promises blessings to the people of God that they could not possibly obtain for themselves (see 8:8–13).
Psalm 91:14-16
14 “Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him; I will protect him, because he knows my name. 15 When he calls to me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him. 16 With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.”
The one who gave sight to the blind (John 9:11) has also begun a work of new creation in our lives by the power of his Spirit (2 Cor. 5:17). Ask God to help you live by the power of his Spirit today so that you will find power to put your sinful actions to death (Rom. 8:13).