Listen

Some Pharisees said, “This man isn’t from God, because he breaks the Sabbath law.” Others said, “How can a sinner do miraculous signs like these?” So they were divided. Some of the Pharisees questioned the man who had been born blind again: “What do you have to say about him, since he healed your eyes?”

He replied, “He’s a prophet.”

The Jewish leaders didn’t believe the man had been blind and received his sight until they called for his parents. The Jewish leaders asked them, “Is this your son? Are you saying he was born blind? How can he now see?”

His parents answered, “We know he is our son. We know he was born blind. But we don’t know how he now sees, and we don’t know who healed his eyes. Ask him. He’s old enough to speak for himself.” His parents said this because they feared the Jewish authorities. This is because the Jewish authorities had already decided that whoever confessed Jesus to be the Christ would be expelled from the synagogue. That’s why his parents said, “He’s old enough. Ask him.”

John 9:16-23

Think

At age thirteen, Hezekiah Watkins plotted with friends to fake a stomach bug after church and sneak to the bus station to see the Freedom Riders, a group of black and white activists protesting segregated bus terminals. The young friends risked drinking out of “White’s Only” water fountains. Then a buddy pushed Hezekiah through the Greyhound station doors. Before Hezekiah knew it, he’d been arrested and sentenced to death row. He spent five days in Parchman Prison before discharge. Mississippi’s youngest Freedom Rider, Mr. Watkins went on to devote his life to pursuing equality and civil rights.

Jesus also gets into trouble on a Sabbath day. This isn’t the only time he’s busted for healing on a day the Ten Commandments say is made for rest and worship. Jesus’ life modeled the behaviors the commandments instructed — love for God and neighbor. But when the rules were used as an excuse not to extend care and compassion, he broke them. What rules might Jesus shine a light on today and challenge with bold acts of love?

Shelli Latham

Pray

Light of the World, center me in your love.

Help me to find the sweet balance of obedience to God’s word and awareness of when that word is used in ways that harm rather than help.

Give me the courage to love boldly.

Amen.

Go

May God grant you the perfect darkness
that you may find rest that soothes your creaking soul.

May God grant you the perfect light
that you may see clearly the truths of your life
and the path the Spirit lays before you.

May you cup that light in your very being
firmly enough that it warms your aching bones should you ever feel alone,
gently enough that it seeps between your fingers and out to a yearning world.