Saturday, April 5
Young Man Born Blind
Outside a leather craftsman’s shop in a village north of Jerusalem.
A young man speaks: “I always recognized my mother by her gentle loving voice, my father by his angry rasping complaints. He had every right to be disappointed in his life, I’m sure. He is an excellent leather worker, but our villagers are poor and cannot pay what he should earn. And he has a useless son.
I was born without the gift of sight. I grew up unable to do many things on my own. I could not help in the shop, so as soon as possible, I was put out to beg. I sat in the dust at the side of the road outside the shop, holding an earthenware bowl. I lost track of the days and years I did this. They were all the same. From time to time I would hear a sympathetic word and the clink of a coin tossed into the bowl. More often there would be a curse or a slur and terse comment that someone had sinned greatly and I was punished as a result.
Through the years it never occurred to me that things might change. But they have and it was through the mercy of the Lord Jesus. He and his disciples passed by me one day. One of the disciples asked whose sin had caused my condition. ‘No one,’ Jesus answered, ‘but God’s glory will be shown this day.’
From that moment I have been able to see. The sudden glare of light overwhelmed me. I’m sure I murmured thank you. I staggered into the shop to find my parents. We rejoiced as a family for the first time. When I was able to control my emotions a bit, I looked for my healer –I didn’t know Jesus by name then – but found that he and his students had gone on their way.
At once I began my new life. I began to help my father in the leather shop. I was very clumsy but he seemed happy to have me there and I soon began to acquire some skills. Things did not go so well with our synagogue, however. The leaders were upset because I had been healed on a Sabbath. This they regarded as contrary to the Law. They were also perturbed since I couldn’t name my healer. Ultimately they cast our family out of the synagogue.
We were not cast out of society altogether, however. The Lord and his disciples visited our village again. I was able to meet him, speak with him, and become a follower of his way. Several others in the town also recognized Jesus as the Messiah. We meet often to support one another as the synagogue leaders rage against us.
We have learned that Jesus is on his way to Jerusalem for the Passover festival and that his followers will hail him as King of Israel. The Romans will not tolerate that and the Temple leaders also are united against him. I must go and stand with his disciples as he faces this danger.
I wish to join them at this Passover. My parents agree I should go. Mother says a guest should contribute to the feast. Roasted eggs are often part of the Passover fare. I like the idea. An egg is a strong symbol of potential for life and growth. Jesus’ power unlocked my potential for living. What lies ahead for him in this perilous Passover season?”
Guy Johnson