Intro - Contrast between those who thought they could see - but were blind, and the man who knew he was blind but came to see clearly

As you listen to the account - allow God to name those areas in your life which are hard

Be open to what He may want to say and do in you today

Thinkgs like

Rejection...

Confusion...

missunderstadning....

Monotony and dissapointment...

Areas of you life including

Relationsip with family and Friends

Work

Wider community

Response to people in Authority

It may raise issues like:

Are my experiences a result of something I have done, or an expression of God's displeasure?

Am I a nobody as it feels everyone suggests - or can I dare to believe God loves, cherishes and delights in me?

fundamental question we are being asked to explore :

What is Jesus' invitation to me?

And what is my my response?

Jesus is offering us life.

Will we receive it?

John 9:1-7 As he passed by, he (that is Jesus) saw a man blind from birth. (2) And his disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” (3) Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him. (4) We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work. (5) As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” (6) Having said these things, he spit on the ground and made mud with the saliva. Then he anointed the man's eyes with the mud (7) and said to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which means Sent). So he went and washed and came back seeing…

Joh 9:35-41 Jesus heard that they (the pharisees) had cast him out, and having found him he said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” (36) He answered, “And who is he, sir, that I may believe in him?” (37) Jesus said to him, “You have seen him, and it is he who is speaking to you.” (38) He said, “Lord, I believe,” and he worshiped him. (39) Jesus said, “For judgment I came into this world, that those who do not see may see, and those who see may become blind.” (40) Some of the Pharisees near him heard these things, and said to him, “Are we also blind?” (41) Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you would have no guilt; but now that you say, ‘We see,’ your guilt remains.

Jesus comes offering sight to the blind,

Life to the dead

and freedom for the captives.

To see you and each other through his eyes.

Because this is to seeclearly!