13 Apr 2026
"His neighbours and others who knew him as a blind beggar asked each other, “Isn’t this the man who used to sit and beg?” Some said he was, and others said, “No, he just looks like him!” But the beggar kept saying, Yes, I am the same one!” ...
Then they took the man who had been blind to the Pharisees, because it was on the Sabbath that Jesus had made the mud and healed him. The Pharisees asked the man all about it. So he told them, “He put the mud over my eyes, and when I washed it away, I could see!” Some of the Pharisees said, “This man Jesus is not from God, for he is working on the Sabbath.” Others said, “But how could an ordinary sinner do such miraculous signs?” So there was a deep division of opinion among them."
~ John 9.8-16 NLT
Much has been said about the Prarisees, but not enough about the instigators - "his neighbours and others who knew him as a blind beggar".
Instead of rejoicing with the healed blind beggar, the "neighbours" made a big deal out of a little mud. Instead of loving and accepting this beggar, they sought out justification to continue to discriminate him.
They did not love the healed beggar as their "neighbour". No, they were envious of God's miracle for him!
Do not be like them.
"You will be doing the thing if you obey the law of the Kingdom, which is found in the scripture, “Love your neighbour as you love yourself.” But if you treat people according to their outward appearance, you are guilty of sin, and the Law condemns you as a lawbreaker."
~ James 2.8-9 GNB