February 7th Virtual Worship

February 7, 2021 Pastor Marc Hayden

Music Ministry Team: Kristin Petty, Dwight Huntley, Matthew Leone, Rene Vazquez

Worship Team: Sarah Haas, Marc Hayden

Technology Team: Michael Kendall, Mark Raker, Jerry Weissinger

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Key Notes from the reading & sermon:

Journeying with John; The Light of the World

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.

[Reading above - John 9: 1-7]

John focuses on the identity of Jesus with image-rich titles like the Word made flesh, Living Water, Bread of Life and the Light of the World. These images take on deeper meaning as Jesus encounters and transforms the lives of those along the way. In John chapter 9 we meet a man blind from birth. Jesus’ disciples get distracted by a question of why bad things happen. Jesus brings light to the situation by focusing on the works of God the faithful are called to do. Jesus helps us all see more clearly what really matters.

Questions for Reflection:

Assigning bad things to sinful behavior is an overly simple way to try and maintain some control in a world beyond our control. We tell ourselves, “if we can know what causes bad things and avoid those causes we can steer clear of bad things”. Though there are some causal relationships that can keep us out of trouble, this narrow and simplistic reasoning cannot save us from suffering, a universal human experience even for the most faithful and righteous among us (consider Jesus’ suffering). Instead of spending all of our energy trying to avoid suffering, what does Jesus suggest by his words and actions in this story?
How does Jesus making of mud and using the mud for healing and renewal remind you of the image of the Creator presented in Genesis 2:7? How have you experienced a caring touch as a means of healing and renewal?
Jesus invites the man blind from birth to have a role in seeing. How is washing in the pool a means and symbol of seeing? What must be washed away to see clearly? How does the Light of the World bring illumination?