APRIL 18 - JESUS HEALS THE BLIND
READ John 9
Jesus heals a man born blind, stirring up controversy.
INSIGHT
While Jesus certainly has compassion on those to whom He ministers, His miracles are done not only to relieve human suffering but also to establish His credentials. He claims to be the Bread of Life. To validate that message, He feeds the 5000. In chapter 9, Jesus says that the man’s blindness is not because of sin but for the purpose of manifesting the work of God in him. The same was true with Lazarus. His death was not final but was for the purpose of bringing glory to the Son of God. Jesus raises Lazarus and then says that the Son is glorified.
PRAYER
Offer this psalm of praise as you seek spiritual closeness with God:
God, you are my God; I eagerly seek you.
I thirst for you;
my body faints for you
in a land that is dry, desolate, and without water.
So I gaze on you in the sanctuary
to see your strength and your glory
(Psalm 63:1-2).
Our Lord and God,
you are worthy to receive
glory and honor and power,
because you have created all things,
and by your will (Revelation 4:11).
Pause for personal praise and thanksgiving. Pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin:
I said, “Lord, be gracious to me;
heal me, for I have sinned against you.”
But you, Lord, be gracious to me and raise me up;
then I will repay them.
Blessed be the Lord God of Israel,
from everlasting to everlasting.
Amen and amen. (Psalm 41:4, 10, 13).
Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind. Now pause to pray this affirmation to the Lord:
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me, even if he dies, will live (John 11:25).
As you make your requests known to the Lord, pray for:
Finally, offer this closing prayer:
Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely. And may your whole spirit, soul, and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Thessalonians 5:23).
Jesus heals a man born blind, stirring up controversy.
INSIGHT
While Jesus certainly has compassion on those to whom He ministers, His miracles are done not only to relieve human suffering but also to establish His credentials. He claims to be the Bread of Life. To validate that message, He feeds the 5000. In chapter 9, Jesus says that the man’s blindness is not because of sin but for the purpose of manifesting the work of God in him. The same was true with Lazarus. His death was not final but was for the purpose of bringing glory to the Son of God. Jesus raises Lazarus and then says that the Son is glorified.
PRAYER
Offer this psalm of praise as you seek spiritual closeness with God:
God, you are my God; I eagerly seek you.
I thirst for you;
my body faints for you
in a land that is dry, desolate, and without water.
So I gaze on you in the sanctuary
to see your strength and your glory
(Psalm 63:1-2).
Our Lord and God,
you are worthy to receive
glory and honor and power,
because you have created all things,
and by your will (Revelation 4:11).
Pause for personal praise and thanksgiving. Pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin:
I said, “Lord, be gracious to me;
heal me, for I have sinned against you.”
But you, Lord, be gracious to me and raise me up;
then I will repay them.
Blessed be the Lord God of Israel,
from everlasting to everlasting.
Amen and amen. (Psalm 41:4, 10, 13).
Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind. Now pause to pray this affirmation to the Lord:
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me, even if he dies, will live (John 11:25).
As you make your requests known to the Lord, pray for:
- An eternal perspective
- Your spiritual goals
- Your activities for the day
Finally, offer this closing prayer:
Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely. And may your whole spirit, soul, and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Thessalonians 5:23).
A Dogwood Church Discipleship Ministry Resource. © Walk Thru the Bible 2026.