Tuesday, May 18th, 2021

Every week brings new issues to our attention, both in our lives and in the media we consume. When something goes wrong, we all look for someone to blame. Unresolved blame leads to bitterness, hardening of hearts, and eventually, hatred. So, you could say, blame is not an action of the Spirit because it does not yield what the Bible tells us is the fruit of the Spirit. The disciples had to be taught this specific lesson by Jesus. The Book of John says, “As he [Jesus] went 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?” “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life.” The disciples saw something wrong and immediately believed there must be someone to blame. Don’t we all react this way sometimes? But Jesus blamed no one; instead, he saw an opportunity to reveal the power of God in the blind man’s life – and all those who would see his miraculous healing. This interaction in John shows us that while we look for whom to blame, God looks for ways to bless. Today, if you find yourself blaming others, pray for the Lord to show you instead the opportunities to bless them.

“As he [Jesus] went 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?” “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life.” – John 9:1-3