In John 9’s story of the blind man, we see several different reactions to someone in need. As Jesus and His disciples pass by the blind beggar, the disciples do not ask Jesus to heal the beggar. Instead, they look for someone to blame and ask Jesus a “cause and effect” question. They miss the person and focus on the religious issue. If you were there on the scene, what might your reaction have been?

The blind man’s neighbors had overlooked him for so many years that they do not even recognize him after the healing. The Pharisees criticize Jesus for performing this miracle on the Sabbath because Jesus keeps defying their expectations and not fitting into their religious box. They grill the blind man with questions that have nothing to do with his well-being and are completely dissatisfied with his answer, “I was blind but now I see.” Even the parents of the blind man are so afraid of the religious authorities that they separate themselves from their healed son.

How do you typically respond to the need of people around you? Are you inclined to judge, ignore, overlook, criticize, excuse, or distance yourself? Or will you respond by paying attention, asking God to open your eyes to see, and doing what you can to help?

Ask God to soften your heart toward those in need and show you something you can do to help.