John 9:35-41
35 Jesus heard that they had cast him out, and having found him he said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” 36 He answered, “And who is he, sir, that I may believe in him?” 37 Jesus said to him, “You have seen him, and it is he who is speaking to you.” 38 He said, “Lord, I believe,” and he worshiped him. 39 Jesus said, “For judgment I came into this world, that those who do not see may see, and those who see may become blind.” 40 Some of the Pharisees near him heard these things, and said to him, “Are we also blind?” 41 Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you would have no guilt; but now that you say, ‘We see,’ your guilt remains.
Reflection
Once again, the main question John is trying to answer for us is, “Who is Jesus?” In order to confirm and encourage the faith of the healed man, Jesus tells him that his new eyes are looking upon the promised Son of Man (John 9:37; Matt. 26:64), who one day will rule over all nations (Dan. 7:13–14; Rev. 11:15). The healing of this man’s blindness is a priceless gift, but even God’s greatest gifts must lead us to the true and final Gift of God: Jesus himself.
Hebrews 9:1-10
9: Now even the first covenant had regulations for worship and an earthly place of holiness. 2 For a tent was prepared, the first section, in which were the lampstand and the table and the bread of the Presence. It is called the Holy Place. 3 Behind the second curtain was a second section called the Most Holy Place, 4 having the golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant covered on all sides with gold, in which was a golden urn holding the manna, and Aaron's staff that budded, and the tablets of the covenant. 5 Above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat. Of these things we cannot now speak in detail.
6 These preparations having thus been made, the priests go regularly into the first section, performing their ritual duties, 7 but into the second only the high priest goes, and he but once a year, and not without taking blood, which he offers for himself and for the unintentional sins of the people. 8 By this the Holy Spirit indicates that the way into the holy places is not yet opened as long as the first section is still standing 9 (which is symbolic for the present age). According to this arrangement, gifts and sacrifices are offered that cannot perfect the conscience of the worshiper, 10 but deal only with food and drink and various washings, regulations for the body imposed until the time of reformation.
Reflection
The shadowy priesthood (Heb. 8:5; cf. 10:1) and temple in Israel were a temporary earthly picture of an eternal heavenly reality. The animal sacrifices and offerings that were brought before God through this system of worship provided an external ritualistic cleansing, but they did not have the ability to cleanse the deep, inner, sin-soiled stains of the conscience (9:6–9). This setup played an important role in the history of God’s people, but it was ultimately ineffective for accomplishing God’s eternal purposes. It was a short-term provision that awaited the “time of reformation” (v. 10) that would arrive with Jesus Christ.
Psalm 99:1-5
99: The Lord reigns; let the peoples tremble! He sits enthroned upon the cherubim; let the earth quake! 2 The Lord is great in Zion; he is exalted over all the peoples. 3 Let them praise your great and awesome name! Holy is he! 4 The King in his might loves justice. You have established equity; you have executed justice and righteousness in Jacob. 5 Exalt the Lord our God; worship at his footstool! Holy is he!
All of God’s blessings are meant to reveal his glory. Pray that your delight in God’s good gifts would help you to see the goodness of God himself, and lead you to worship the Giver above all else.