We come to a family in crises, and it seems as though Jesus took His time to arrive and help.
So it seems...
The verse says, "Now Martha says to Jesus, Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died." What piercing words! Words that probably had so much emotion that it would have pierced the heart of the one who heard them.
How many times have we said to the Lord, "Where were you? Why didn't you help me when I needed you?"
However, from what is read in the next few verses translates how Martha loved and respected Jesus. Somehow, I sense she felt that Jesus would ease the family's pain. She recovers by saying, "But even now I know that whatever you ask of God, God will give You." Herself not knowing what was going to happen in moments following this conversation, but knew in her heart that He would not fail her.
I believe there are times when the Lord waits for all the commotion to die down, so it is not confused to be part of God's working. The Lord wants single billing, it is His Glory that will work within our lives, not as an outcome of what we have done.
Martha ran to Jesus with her hurt. Sometimes we need to be in a place where we need to run to Jesus, leaving the comfort of what we know, our traditions, our beliefs, etc. Run to Him and pour it all out! He wants our attention!
"Jesus said to her, Your brother will rise again." Martha's next words are what she knows to be true..."Martha said to Him, I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day." How many times do we tell someone, "Yes, I know God will supply our needs." Or, "When a door closes a window opens." What does that really mean? I don't want a window to open, I want a flood gate to burst open for me when I am in need!
We limit God within our limits. But Praise the Lord that He doesn't hold that against us, He knows how limited we are and some of the things we say don't always make sense. I Praise Him that in those times in my life, He ignores my stupidity and does His Mighty work!
In the conversation that follows, Jesus gets a commitment from the heart. He lays it all out to Martha, who He is and why He came to this world. He asks her at the end of His manifesto, "Do you believe this?"
We have to come to a point where we need to commit what we don't have in control, to Him. Then we can see the Glory of the Lord. We need to look away from our frailties and look to Him the Author and finisher of our faith. The Lord knows we are frail, this is why we need to allow Him to work in us!
As Martha proclaimed that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of God who is to come into the world. We need to recognize Him for who He is, focus on what the Word says about Him!
In the verses that follow, we see the same response from Mary to Jesus..."If You had been here..."
Jesus' timing was perfect. He waited because there was a greater purpose. The locals had seen that Jesus could heal the sick, but so could their doctors, etc. However, no one had ever done what He was going to do next. It had to be clear to the audience that this next miracle was from God, not from anything anyone had done that day.
We read how Jesus has them remove the stone. Martha retreats to her old self, worried about the stench of the dead body that has been in that tomb for four days! How many times have we believed that nothing good could happen to us, we feel it is too late.
Jesus does the incredible, impossible, outstanding, wonderful! He calls out to Lazarus! Lazarus comes back to life!
Don't worry if you feel as though you have limited Him. He knows how weak we are and won't hold it against us. All we need to do is believe that He is our Lord. Don't try and figure out how Jesus is going to come through, He will do the rest.
In the Book of Revelation, it says that He is Faithful and True. That is what I cling to in my heart, regardless of what my mind says. Here are reasons why it is important to read the Word; it covers your heart, builds faith, and changes your perspective. It defines who Jesus is and in my own experience, I can hear His voice on those printed pages.
God is good and He is always on time! Wait and see how God will bless the next chapter of your life!
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
John 10: 6-21 * I Am The Good Shepherd Part 2*
As Jesus continues discussing the qualities and requirements of the True Shepherd, He tells the Pharisees that He is the "Door." All that came prior to Jesus appointing themselves to be a messiah, were thieves and robbers. But His sheep didn't hear them. (John 10:6-10)
It isn't politically correct these days to tell someone that there is only One Way to God. As humanitarians we don't like to hear stuff like that. We consider it harsh and brutal.
How can good people not make it to heaven?
God is a God of order and He doesn't have a lot of craziness going on. God sent His Son Jesus to die for our sins and to resurrect in victory. There was a price to be paid and there is only one way to enter into a relationship with the Lord. The rewards are beyond our imaginations.
Jesus says in verse 9, "I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture."
Entering through Jesus and accepting Him as your Savior equals a greater reward. You will not go hungry or thirsty and one will always be satisfied. Only the True Shepherd can do this.
If one ever feels lost or without hope, I recommend reading the scriptures. There is something said about your Savior speaking to you and letting you know that He has your back and will lead you to greener pastures where you can be nourished by Him.
Jesus did the ultimate act of love - He died for us. It wasn't fate that dictated His situation. He chose to do this and in these verses, He is letting the Pharisees know that they aren't going to let them do anything to Him without Him choosing to do so. (v.17 -18)
In verse 19 we read of His obedience to His Father. That is what pleases God, obedience. By obeying the Word is when we receive an abundant harvest. Let's not box the blessings of God and think they are merely material things, they go beyond what we could ever think or imagine.
In the following verses, again you see a division among the Jews. There were those who had the opinion that He wasn't possessed with a demon. But because they were giving Jesus the benefit of the doubt, didn't mean that they believed in Him. What did they need to do? They needed to give up everything and follow Him. Enter through the Door.
Today we have a lot of people who believe that Jesus was a "good person, a prophet, a guide," etc. But He is more than that; He is Messiah, Son of God, God-Man. It doesn't count what you think about Him - you need to follow Him.
Is He the door that you came through? Or are you divided in your mind. Take some time to stop and ask Him to show you. Take time to open your heart and accept Him as your Savior. Since your way hasn't been working, let Him give you abundant life.
It isn't politically correct these days to tell someone that there is only One Way to God. As humanitarians we don't like to hear stuff like that. We consider it harsh and brutal.
How can good people not make it to heaven?
God is a God of order and He doesn't have a lot of craziness going on. God sent His Son Jesus to die for our sins and to resurrect in victory. There was a price to be paid and there is only one way to enter into a relationship with the Lord. The rewards are beyond our imaginations.
Jesus says in verse 9, "I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture."
Entering through Jesus and accepting Him as your Savior equals a greater reward. You will not go hungry or thirsty and one will always be satisfied. Only the True Shepherd can do this.
If one ever feels lost or without hope, I recommend reading the scriptures. There is something said about your Savior speaking to you and letting you know that He has your back and will lead you to greener pastures where you can be nourished by Him.
Remember the Blind Man, the Woman at the Well, etc.? What an honor to belong to Him! Your friends, career, family, etc. may let you down, but He won't. He will always be here - ready to protect you, ready to feed you and ready to lead you into a more abundant life! I wrote a song many years ago with a verse that said, "He is closer than a heart beat away." Closer than what we can imagine!
Jesus is a "bigger picture" man - Not only was He discussing the current sheep, but was discussing His future sheep (v. 16). He wasn't limited by the current century, He created the centuries and had You and Me in His focus. He saw us before we even existed.
Jesus did the ultimate act of love - He died for us. It wasn't fate that dictated His situation. He chose to do this and in these verses, He is letting the Pharisees know that they aren't going to let them do anything to Him without Him choosing to do so. (v.17 -18)
In verse 19 we read of His obedience to His Father. That is what pleases God, obedience. By obeying the Word is when we receive an abundant harvest. Let's not box the blessings of God and think they are merely material things, they go beyond what we could ever think or imagine.
In the following verses, again you see a division among the Jews. There were those who had the opinion that He wasn't possessed with a demon. But because they were giving Jesus the benefit of the doubt, didn't mean that they believed in Him. What did they need to do? They needed to give up everything and follow Him. Enter through the Door.
Today we have a lot of people who believe that Jesus was a "good person, a prophet, a guide," etc. But He is more than that; He is Messiah, Son of God, God-Man. It doesn't count what you think about Him - you need to follow Him.
Is He the door that you came through? Or are you divided in your mind. Take some time to stop and ask Him to show you. Take time to open your heart and accept Him as your Savior. Since your way hasn't been working, let Him give you abundant life.
Friday, August 12, 2011
John 10: 1-5 *I Am The Good Shepherd Part 1*
In John chapter 10, the conversation continues between Jesus and the Pharisees from chapter 9.
I know that there are numerous points to consider in the few verses we are covering.
However, let’s take a moment and look at these few points of the conversation from a higher level:
1. At the latter part of John chapter 9, the Pharisees are upset with Jesus. Because, He healed a blind man on the Sabbath.
− They disregarded the Deity of Jesus because of their shallow understanding of the Law.
− Exodus 20:8, instructs the Israelites to keep the Sabbath day Holy. How holy of an experience is a miracle?
− They considered the healing of the blind man equivalent to “labor.”
2. There was no community or a healthy relationship with their own people. They ruled with fear.
Jesus knew that many of the Pharisees held their positions because of their love for power or recognition. Many who listened to Him that day were self-appointed, not God appointed. They didn’t have the Faith of Abraham.
He confronts them, like the True Shepherd and speaks His wealth of God knowledge. His words like a weapon strikes against the lions and bears. Cuts at their foundation of clay!
He begins with a lesson on the attitude and intention of a bad shepherd.
“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.” v.1
A sheepfold is an enclosure where sheep were sheltered when not out roaming the valleys and/ or pastures. There was only one way in and one way out, and that was the main door or gate.
If anyone entered any other way, he was considered a thief or a robber:
− Someone who comes to steal and rob souls
− Someone who comes to steal and rob for their own profit
− Someone who comes to steal and rob for their own pleasure
The “sheepfold” that Jesus refers to is the Jewish Nation.
Many individuals and groups, who came prior to Jesus, appointed themselves to be their guides, their rulers or messiahs.
Jesus never appointed Himself. God the Father appointed Him and there was revelation in the Word that supported His appointment as Messiah.
We have heard of countless explanations on how being a shepherd was not an easy life-career. Talk about an occupation that required sleepless nights, alone most of the time, dangerous treks, wild animals to fend off and fight, and so on…
Whenever shepherds met out in the valleys or wilderness, etc. It was an embracing moment, a welcome time for fellowship! They would share a meal and talk all night about their adventures. It didn’t worry the shepherds that their sheep would mix-in with all the other sheep. In the early morning when it was time to continue their journeys, each shepherd would find a location or find a rock that was large enough to stand on. In the stillness of the morning an interruption of unique sounds erupted out of each of the shepherds’ mouths. Immediately, there is a rumble among the sheep as they run towards their shepherd!
As we read on, “To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.” v. 3
I love the song “He Knows My Name.” Because He knows our names! Every person Jesus called or calls – He knows.
He knows our history, our perfections and imperfections, what we look like before we wash our faces, what we smell like before we bathe. He knows everything and still LOVES US!
The Holy Spirit calls out to us to come to Christ. Is He calling your name? “Jeannie, Ray, Bobby, Liz, Shelly, or Mike” do you hear the Spirit calling?
Maybe you are already a believer. Do you recall when you knew He was calling you? The amazing feeling you felt in your heart and soul. How you couldn’t believe how much He knew about you – and STILL LOVED YOU?
“ And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.” v. 4
I want to be like this everyday. Following Him and letting Him lead. Hearing His Voice, discovering what an amazing Shepherd I have!
Our command is to follow. When we follow, this action reflects that we Trust. When we Obey, then we exhibit our Love for Him. When we are Still and Listen, we are honored to be in His presence and the outcome is an amazing relationship!
“Yet they will by no means follow a stranger; but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.” v. 5
Do you know what “flee” means? Think of it as SCAT – faster than fast!
Jesus, help me to flee from the strangeness of the enemy, those strange thoughts, unbelief, unholy anger, jealousy, etc. I want to be like the sheep that follow YOU! Traveling behind my Jesus – My Good Shepherd!
What about you? Who are you following today? Take a moment to read Psalm 23 and meditate on how He wants to lead you.
I know that there are numerous points to consider in the few verses we are covering.
However, let’s take a moment and look at these few points of the conversation from a higher level:
1. At the latter part of John chapter 9, the Pharisees are upset with Jesus. Because, He healed a blind man on the Sabbath.
− They disregarded the Deity of Jesus because of their shallow understanding of the Law.
− Exodus 20:8, instructs the Israelites to keep the Sabbath day Holy. How holy of an experience is a miracle?
− They considered the healing of the blind man equivalent to “labor.”
2. There was no community or a healthy relationship with their own people. They ruled with fear.
Jesus knew that many of the Pharisees held their positions because of their love for power or recognition. Many who listened to Him that day were self-appointed, not God appointed. They didn’t have the Faith of Abraham.
He confronts them, like the True Shepherd and speaks His wealth of God knowledge. His words like a weapon strikes against the lions and bears. Cuts at their foundation of clay!
He begins with a lesson on the attitude and intention of a bad shepherd.
“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.” v.1
A sheepfold is an enclosure where sheep were sheltered when not out roaming the valleys and/ or pastures. There was only one way in and one way out, and that was the main door or gate.
If anyone entered any other way, he was considered a thief or a robber:
− Someone who comes to steal and rob souls
− Someone who comes to steal and rob for their own profit
− Someone who comes to steal and rob for their own pleasure
The “sheepfold” that Jesus refers to is the Jewish Nation.
Many individuals and groups, who came prior to Jesus, appointed themselves to be their guides, their rulers or messiahs.
Jesus never appointed Himself. God the Father appointed Him and there was revelation in the Word that supported His appointment as Messiah.
We have heard of countless explanations on how being a shepherd was not an easy life-career. Talk about an occupation that required sleepless nights, alone most of the time, dangerous treks, wild animals to fend off and fight, and so on…
Whenever shepherds met out in the valleys or wilderness, etc. It was an embracing moment, a welcome time for fellowship! They would share a meal and talk all night about their adventures. It didn’t worry the shepherds that their sheep would mix-in with all the other sheep. In the early morning when it was time to continue their journeys, each shepherd would find a location or find a rock that was large enough to stand on. In the stillness of the morning an interruption of unique sounds erupted out of each of the shepherds’ mouths. Immediately, there is a rumble among the sheep as they run towards their shepherd!
As we read on, “To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.” v. 3
I love the song “He Knows My Name.” Because He knows our names! Every person Jesus called or calls – He knows.
He knows our history, our perfections and imperfections, what we look like before we wash our faces, what we smell like before we bathe. He knows everything and still LOVES US!
The Holy Spirit calls out to us to come to Christ. Is He calling your name? “Jeannie, Ray, Bobby, Liz, Shelly, or Mike” do you hear the Spirit calling?
Maybe you are already a believer. Do you recall when you knew He was calling you? The amazing feeling you felt in your heart and soul. How you couldn’t believe how much He knew about you – and STILL LOVED YOU?
“ And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.” v. 4
I want to be like this everyday. Following Him and letting Him lead. Hearing His Voice, discovering what an amazing Shepherd I have!
Our command is to follow. When we follow, this action reflects that we Trust. When we Obey, then we exhibit our Love for Him. When we are Still and Listen, we are honored to be in His presence and the outcome is an amazing relationship!
“Yet they will by no means follow a stranger; but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.” v. 5
Do you know what “flee” means? Think of it as SCAT – faster than fast!
Jesus, help me to flee from the strangeness of the enemy, those strange thoughts, unbelief, unholy anger, jealousy, etc. I want to be like the sheep that follow YOU! Traveling behind my Jesus – My Good Shepherd!
What about you? Who are you following today? Take a moment to read Psalm 23 and meditate on how He wants to lead you.
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
John 9 - The Blind Man
The Gospel according to John is an amazing book. The writer was someone who was "Beloved" of Jesus and had a relationship with the Son of God.
Take a moment to think what it means to be "Beloved" by the Savior...
Take a moment to think what it means to be in a relationship with THE SON of GOD...
In John chapter 9, we read how Jesus was on His way somewhere and someone caught His attention. He sees a blind man. This blind man never met Jesus, but Jesus knew everything about him. He knew that he was born blind. He knew the blind man.
So much taboo surrounded the "not so perfect." There were no charities or schools to help develop this man into a successful contributor to society.
As Jesus is intently thinking and observing this blind man, his thoughts are interrupted by the questions asked by His disciples, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?"
As a reader, immediately you can hear the condemnation in these words. There is no way out, the world hates imperfection. According to tradition, someone had to sin to incur this dreadful circumstance. The culture saw this man as a loser. No hope, no successful future, only a dead-end life. But Jesus saw that the works of God are to be revealed in him. In other words, something spectacular was going to occur that no one ever expected.
Jesus the giver of hope WAS on His way somewhere - to RESCUE a lost blind man. NO coincidences, there is a purpose why Jesus calls us to Him.
Jesus responds to His disciples with an explanation that was against the traditional thought of the time! "Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him."
As we read on, Jesus calls Himself the Light. Sometimes we are in our darkness and we can hear and feel everyone passing us by, but... not Him. Not JESUS!
He spits and mixes the clay and places it on the eyes of the blind man. Isn't that like Jesus - He uses the circumstances around us to bring us closer to Him. Jesus meets the need to bring about something even greater.
It is amazing how the blind man allows someone he doesn't know, touch him. Blind individuals are very extraordinary. I had a friend many years ago who was blind. We were always so amazed how he could describe us by the way we spoke. When one sense isn't working, another sense turns on to compensate.
Next we read how this man had to walk blindly to the pool of Siloam. Jesus nor the disciples helped guide him to the pool to wash. What was it about Jesus that the blind man trusted? Even when we are limited, God makes Himself known.
The blind man washes off the clay and comes back differently - he comes back seeing clearly. On his way back from the pool he probably walked with independence, was overjoyed beyond words and probably was amazed at the things he saw. No words could express the emotions this man was experiencing!
He behaved so different even his neighbors weren't totally sure if this was the same man. However, in his conversations with them, he confirmed that he was the blind man.
The following verses are what I find so wonderful. You can see stages of transformation occurring within this man's heart.
This man answers those who were wondering very directly, "A man called Jesus made clay and anointed my eyes and said to me, Go to the pool of Siloam and wash. So I went and washed, and I received sight."
His response is simplistic, he only knows Jesus by name and tells everyone he did what he was told to do. The result was a miracle.
If we follow what the Word says how can we be disappointed?
Human nature can be so weird at times, these people who knew who him were not rejoicing with his miracle. Some of them were so upset because the healing took place on the Sabbath! Think about it, do we get legalistic and forget the Majesty, the Ways of the Lord? Have we put God in a box?
The Pharisees asked the question a second time - "How did you receive your sight?" Again this man repeats what happened.
Upset because this was done on the Sabbath and because Jesus did not follow the "Law" they considered Him not from God. Think about it, wasn't the Sabbath created to Worship God? How can a specific day control the Creator?
Now it gets intense - they ask the man, "What do you say about Him because He opened your eyes?" He said, "He is a prophet."
The man responded with what he knew in his heart, he didn't back down and save himself from the mob. He answers with his experience with Jesus and who he thought Jesus to be.
It is a process for some to come to the realization who Jesus is, but the Lord is patient.
The Pharisees still upset, calls the man's parents. Can you imagine how afraid these parents were to confront the Pharisees? These parents didn't even rejoice with their son. They were more afraid of tradition and were more afraid about what other people thought. Not wanting to lose their place in society - they tell these religious leaders to ask their son. He was old enough to answer for himself. The Pharisees at this point had had enough and told the man to "Give God the glory! We know that this Man is a sinner."
They said words that sounded religious. Did you notice, that they told the man to give God the glory? That is how the world is - they acknowledge parts of the Truth, but are so far from having a relationship with the Living God. There hearts stay hardened even with factual miracle results standing before them.
Some unfortunately, will never open their hearts. Because the Way of the Lord is too simple.
Sometimes we act the same way with situations. In our smallness, we don't realize that God has a greater plan. We don't realize how our stories will end. Sometimes we can't see beyond our present circumstances!
Read further on how this man who was once blind answers - "Whether He is a sinner or not I do not know. One thing I know: that though I was blind, now I see."
You can't disregard what the Lord has done - facts are facts. You can't dispute the facts! We have to think on what God has done in our lives when life throws us a boomerang. Count our blessings, name them one by one, as the old hymn says.
He is asked a third time - "What did He do to you? How did He open our eyes?" The man answers very directly - "I told you already, and you did not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you want to become His disciples?" (See the transformation!)
Imagine that! When a transformation happens in our lives, we can't hold back - we want to share with others what God has done in our lives and what He can do for them. At this point of the conversation this man had not even acknowledged Jesus as The Son of God. Yet he knew that this Jesus did what no other person has ever been able to do.
Jesus is able to do in our lives, what no other human being can do, what no other religion can do and what no other "whatever" can do.
Let's continue with the chapter...what happens when losers loose? They say mean things and try to intimidate. That is what the Pharisees tried to do. But instead of being intimidated, the man replies with assertive conviction! "Why this is a marvelous thing, that you do not know where He is from; yet He has opened my eyes!" "Now we know that God does not hear sinners; but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does His will, He hears him." "Since the world began it has been unheard of that anyone opened the eyes of one who was born blind." "If this Man were not from God, He could do nothing."
Well, you can imagine they didn't like what they heard and next, they pulled out the religious card. They told him,"You were completely born in sins, and are you teaching us?" And they threw him out of the temple.
Has anyone thought you weren't good enough?
Where was Jesus? He was aware of what had happened and He went and found the man.
Jesus found him and asks, " Do you believe in the Son of God?" This is an invitation to be one of his followers, to believe in the true Messiah.
The man responds, "Who is He, Lord, that I may believe in Him?"
Did you notice how this man called Jesus - "Lord"? Earlier, the man had called Jesus a prophet.
Jesus answers the question, "You have both seen Him and it is He who is talking with you."
It is sad how we are so educated and advanced and yet many don't see the answer.
Wow! I wonder what was going through the mind and heart of this man. Him in the presence of the Mighty Lord, the Messiah, the King of Kings!
It is true, the Lord gives you more than what you could ever imagine. When this man started his morning he had no idea what was going to happen to him. He was a person without hope, without a career and without a family.
But guess what - Jesus found him!
It wasn't the healing that changed this man's life, it was the surrendering that revolutionized him. "Lord, I believe! And he worshiped Him."
Healing isn't what causes complete change, it is the transformation of the heart. This man no longer thought like a "blind man."
Worship is such a deep action. Worship takes you to a place where it is only you and Jesus. A place where you humble yourself and realize who God is when you surrender. This is when transformation affects the heart, mind and soul.
Remember the earlier words of the disciples? "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?"
Jesus responded - "Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him."
Did you notice that at the beginning of the conversation, Jesus didn't tell the blind man that he was going to receive sight. The man simply did what he was told to do.
This gives me great comfort. Because sometimes I don't know the outcomes of things - but if I do what it says in the Word, transformation happens in my life. I see clearly because I am trusting Him for the outcomes. He has never failed me yet and has gone beyond my expectations!
Take a moment to think what it means to be "Beloved" by the Savior...
Take a moment to think what it means to be in a relationship with THE SON of GOD...
In John chapter 9, we read how Jesus was on His way somewhere and someone caught His attention. He sees a blind man. This blind man never met Jesus, but Jesus knew everything about him. He knew that he was born blind. He knew the blind man.
So much taboo surrounded the "not so perfect." There were no charities or schools to help develop this man into a successful contributor to society.
As Jesus is intently thinking and observing this blind man, his thoughts are interrupted by the questions asked by His disciples, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?"
As a reader, immediately you can hear the condemnation in these words. There is no way out, the world hates imperfection. According to tradition, someone had to sin to incur this dreadful circumstance. The culture saw this man as a loser. No hope, no successful future, only a dead-end life. But Jesus saw that the works of God are to be revealed in him. In other words, something spectacular was going to occur that no one ever expected.
Jesus the giver of hope WAS on His way somewhere - to RESCUE a lost blind man. NO coincidences, there is a purpose why Jesus calls us to Him.
Jesus responds to His disciples with an explanation that was against the traditional thought of the time! "Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him."
As we read on, Jesus calls Himself the Light. Sometimes we are in our darkness and we can hear and feel everyone passing us by, but... not Him. Not JESUS!
He spits and mixes the clay and places it on the eyes of the blind man. Isn't that like Jesus - He uses the circumstances around us to bring us closer to Him. Jesus meets the need to bring about something even greater.
It is amazing how the blind man allows someone he doesn't know, touch him. Blind individuals are very extraordinary. I had a friend many years ago who was blind. We were always so amazed how he could describe us by the way we spoke. When one sense isn't working, another sense turns on to compensate.
Next we read how this man had to walk blindly to the pool of Siloam. Jesus nor the disciples helped guide him to the pool to wash. What was it about Jesus that the blind man trusted? Even when we are limited, God makes Himself known.
The blind man washes off the clay and comes back differently - he comes back seeing clearly. On his way back from the pool he probably walked with independence, was overjoyed beyond words and probably was amazed at the things he saw. No words could express the emotions this man was experiencing!
He behaved so different even his neighbors weren't totally sure if this was the same man. However, in his conversations with them, he confirmed that he was the blind man.
The following verses are what I find so wonderful. You can see stages of transformation occurring within this man's heart.
This man answers those who were wondering very directly, "A man called Jesus made clay and anointed my eyes and said to me, Go to the pool of Siloam and wash. So I went and washed, and I received sight."
His response is simplistic, he only knows Jesus by name and tells everyone he did what he was told to do. The result was a miracle.
If we follow what the Word says how can we be disappointed?
Human nature can be so weird at times, these people who knew who him were not rejoicing with his miracle. Some of them were so upset because the healing took place on the Sabbath! Think about it, do we get legalistic and forget the Majesty, the Ways of the Lord? Have we put God in a box?
The Pharisees asked the question a second time - "How did you receive your sight?" Again this man repeats what happened.
Upset because this was done on the Sabbath and because Jesus did not follow the "Law" they considered Him not from God. Think about it, wasn't the Sabbath created to Worship God? How can a specific day control the Creator?
Now it gets intense - they ask the man, "What do you say about Him because He opened your eyes?" He said, "He is a prophet."
The man responded with what he knew in his heart, he didn't back down and save himself from the mob. He answers with his experience with Jesus and who he thought Jesus to be.
It is a process for some to come to the realization who Jesus is, but the Lord is patient.
The Pharisees still upset, calls the man's parents. Can you imagine how afraid these parents were to confront the Pharisees? These parents didn't even rejoice with their son. They were more afraid of tradition and were more afraid about what other people thought. Not wanting to lose their place in society - they tell these religious leaders to ask their son. He was old enough to answer for himself. The Pharisees at this point had had enough and told the man to "Give God the glory! We know that this Man is a sinner."
They said words that sounded religious. Did you notice, that they told the man to give God the glory? That is how the world is - they acknowledge parts of the Truth, but are so far from having a relationship with the Living God. There hearts stay hardened even with factual miracle results standing before them.
Some unfortunately, will never open their hearts. Because the Way of the Lord is too simple.
Sometimes we act the same way with situations. In our smallness, we don't realize that God has a greater plan. We don't realize how our stories will end. Sometimes we can't see beyond our present circumstances!
Read further on how this man who was once blind answers - "Whether He is a sinner or not I do not know. One thing I know: that though I was blind, now I see."
You can't disregard what the Lord has done - facts are facts. You can't dispute the facts! We have to think on what God has done in our lives when life throws us a boomerang. Count our blessings, name them one by one, as the old hymn says.
He is asked a third time - "What did He do to you? How did He open our eyes?" The man answers very directly - "I told you already, and you did not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you want to become His disciples?" (See the transformation!)
Imagine that! When a transformation happens in our lives, we can't hold back - we want to share with others what God has done in our lives and what He can do for them. At this point of the conversation this man had not even acknowledged Jesus as The Son of God. Yet he knew that this Jesus did what no other person has ever been able to do.
Jesus is able to do in our lives, what no other human being can do, what no other religion can do and what no other "whatever" can do.
Let's continue with the chapter...what happens when losers loose? They say mean things and try to intimidate. That is what the Pharisees tried to do. But instead of being intimidated, the man replies with assertive conviction! "Why this is a marvelous thing, that you do not know where He is from; yet He has opened my eyes!" "Now we know that God does not hear sinners; but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does His will, He hears him." "Since the world began it has been unheard of that anyone opened the eyes of one who was born blind." "If this Man were not from God, He could do nothing."
Well, you can imagine they didn't like what they heard and next, they pulled out the religious card. They told him,"You were completely born in sins, and are you teaching us?" And they threw him out of the temple.
Has anyone thought you weren't good enough?
Where was Jesus? He was aware of what had happened and He went and found the man.
Jesus found him and asks, " Do you believe in the Son of God?" This is an invitation to be one of his followers, to believe in the true Messiah.
The man responds, "Who is He, Lord, that I may believe in Him?"
Did you notice how this man called Jesus - "Lord"? Earlier, the man had called Jesus a prophet.
Jesus answers the question, "You have both seen Him and it is He who is talking with you."
It is sad how we are so educated and advanced and yet many don't see the answer.
Wow! I wonder what was going through the mind and heart of this man. Him in the presence of the Mighty Lord, the Messiah, the King of Kings!
It is true, the Lord gives you more than what you could ever imagine. When this man started his morning he had no idea what was going to happen to him. He was a person without hope, without a career and without a family.
But guess what - Jesus found him!
It wasn't the healing that changed this man's life, it was the surrendering that revolutionized him. "Lord, I believe! And he worshiped Him."
Healing isn't what causes complete change, it is the transformation of the heart. This man no longer thought like a "blind man."
Worship is such a deep action. Worship takes you to a place where it is only you and Jesus. A place where you humble yourself and realize who God is when you surrender. This is when transformation affects the heart, mind and soul.
Remember the earlier words of the disciples? "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?"
Jesus responded - "Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him."
Did you notice that at the beginning of the conversation, Jesus didn't tell the blind man that he was going to receive sight. The man simply did what he was told to do.
This gives me great comfort. Because sometimes I don't know the outcomes of things - but if I do what it says in the Word, transformation happens in my life. I see clearly because I am trusting Him for the outcomes. He has never failed me yet and has gone beyond my expectations!
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