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Welcome to Day 2152 of Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom The Gospel of John – 20 – Blind Men's Bluff – Daily Wisdom Putnam Church Message – 06/19/2022 The Gospel of John – Part 3 Authentication Of The Word – Blind Men’s Bluff   Today we continue our series, the Good News according to John the Apostle. Last week, we saw Jesus declaring, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” In addition, we learned when we follow that light, we can live in spiritual freedom  32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”  36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. Today, our scripture is John 9:1-41, starting on page 1664 in the pew Bible. As with last week, since it is a more extended passage, I will read it as we go through the message. The setting for today’s teaching is sometime after the Feast of Tabernacles, but before the Feast of the Dedication (Hanukkah; see John 10:22). Somewhere in the old city of Jerusalem, Jesus and His disciples happened upon a man who was born without sight. As the story unfolds, we learn that their “chance” meeting had been scheduled since the beginning of time, and the man’s “meaningless” affliction had been given divine purpose from the foundation of creation.   —9:1— As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth.  John provides very little detail about the time and place of this encounter because it is a logical continuation of Jesus’ escalating clash with the religious elite in Jerusalem. However, we know it occurred after the Feast of Tabernacles (September/October) and before Hanukkah (November/December), somewhere near Jerusalem, outside the temple complex.   John presents the episode as spontaneous because Jesus did not have a meeting in His appointment calendar. The apostle gives the impression that the encounter was a mere coincidence, but make no mistake, the air of randomness is intentional. John allows us to accept the incident as haphazard, only to reveal the truth. Whereas sin has stirred the world into a chaotic mess,/ the Creator interjects order. Where the sinful world system randomly and capriciously causes affliction,/ the Lord gives purpose to misfortune—for His glory and the good of those who believe. Some things never change.   —9:2–4— 2 His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” 3 “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him. 4 As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. (Theme song Work for the Night is Coming) In those days, it was a custom for people with disabilities to claim spots along a well-traveled street leading to the temple—and this is still a common sight near religious sites...