January 19, 2022 — “Turn a blind eye” (John 9:1-11)

“As he walked along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned; he was born blind so that God’s works might be revealed in him. We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” When he had said this, he spat on the ground and made mud with the saliva and spread the mud on the man’s eyes, saying to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which means Sent). Then he went and washed and came back able to see. The neighbors and those who had seen him before as a beggar began to ask, “Is this not the man who used to sit and beg?” Some were saying, “It is he.” Others were saying, “No, but it is someone like him.” He kept saying, “I am the man.” But they kept asking him, “Then how were your eyes opened?” ¹¹ He answered, “The man called Jesus made mud, spread it on my eyes, and said to me, ‘Go to Siloam and wash.’ Then I went and washed and received my sight.” John 9:1-11

“Turn a blind eye”

To “turn a blind eye” to something means to pretend not to have noticed it.

The origins of this expression is said to have arisen from the famous English naval hero Admiral Horatio Nelson. It is told that during the Battle of Copenhagen in 1801, he is alleged to have deliberately raised his telescope to his blind eye, thus ensuring that he would not see any signal from his superior giving him discretion to withdraw from the battle.

As Jesus and his disciples walked along the path one day, they noticed a man who was blind. It was a natural understanding in their day that someone born with a disability was paying for the sins of others – or the sins of a previous life. I like how Jesus often answers the questions from his disciples, for Jesus seems to “turn a blind eye” toward their cultural understandings. Jesus turned a blind eye toward the admonition not to touch lepers. He turned a blind eye toward healing on the Sabbath. He turned a blind eye toward ministering to women – even welcoming them as disciples.

There is a lot in our society that we can turn a blind eye toward – but we should not be turning a blind eye toward ministry to the last, lost, least, and little in our community. Too often people with disabilities or people who are not like us are invisible to us. It takes a real concerted effort to always be aware of those we are most likely to miss, to ignore, or to see as unworthy of our time. Jesus died for these people too…….

Let us pray,

Lord Jesus, help us to keep our eyes wide open to see the needs in our communities and our families every day – and give us the strength to help meet those needs. Amen.

Pastor Dave

January 18, 2022 — “An Arm and a Leg” (Luke 5:17-26)

“One day, while he was teaching, Pharisees and teachers of the law were sitting near by (they had come from every village of Galilee and Judea and from Jerusalem); and the power of the Lord was with him to healJust then some men came, carrying a paralyzed man on a bed. They were trying to bring him in and lay him before Jesus;but finding no way to bring him in because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and let him down with his bed through the tiles into the middle of the crowd in front of Jesus. When he saw their faith, he said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven you.” Then the scribes and the Pharisees began to question, “Who is this who is speaking blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?” When Jesus perceived their questionings, he answered them, “Why do you raise such questions in your hearts? Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Stand up and walk’? But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the one who was paralyzed—“I say to you, stand up and take your bed and go to your home.” Immediately he stood up before them, took what he had been lying on, and went to his home, glorifying God. Amazement seized all of them, and they glorified God and were filled with awe, saying, “We have seen strange things today.” Luke 5:17-26

“An Arm and a Leg”

“That’s going to cost you an arm and a leg!” is a common phrase that means simply that some item or service is going to cost to the point of real sacrifice. In other words, buying this item is going to hurt – the price is high. Now, where did such a phrase come into existence?

If we step back in time to George Washington’s day, we realize of course that there were no cameras. For a portrait to be produced, it had to be painted or sculpted. If you notice old pictures, you will notice something interesting. Many of the paintings consist of just a person’s face. At other times, a person is portrayed with one arm behind their back or both arms may be visible. Interestingly enough, portraits were not charged by the number of people who appeared in the picture, but rather by the number of limbs that were painted. In other words, if they wanted a cheaper painting, then it would “cost them an arm and a leg.” Artists knew it took more time and effort to paint such a portrait, since arms, hands and legs were more difficult to paint.

I remember watching my brother-in-law practice drawing hands, and fingers, and arms. It truly takes an artist’s perspective, time and patience to get such features just right. He would draw, and draw hands in different poses, different positions – fists, fingers, bent and extended poses of the hand. I think people who can draw in such a way, who can see with such perspective is truly G-d inspired.

The efforts of the friends of this man who is paralyzed and lying on a bed – the lengths that they go to see that he can see Jesus is truly miraculous. After trying and trying to get close to Jesus, they take a different route – they come from above – right through the roof.

To what lengths will you go to get in touch with G-d? How difficult has it been to see Jesus working in your midst every day? Perhaps you need a new perspective – perhaps you need to try a different route. Persistence and practice will pay off – for our relationship with G-d grows stronger the more we put it to use.

Let us pray,

Lord Jesus, we know that our new life and eternal life not only cost you an arm and a leg, it cost your very life. Help us to value your death, so that we can live into new life in you. Amen.

Pastor Dave