John 11:45-57
After Jesus resurrected Lazarus from the dead many believed in Him. Their excited testimony of Jesus' miracle, and their own belief in Him as Messiah would've washed over the community, making waves, as it was told, and retold.
But another group was also there that day, and this group went straight to the Pharisees and shared the story. The Pharisees hated Jesus, and were waiting for an appropriate time to kill him.
One miracle, two very different responses.
The Pharisees and chief priests called a meeting of the Sanhedrin. "From that day on they plotted to take His (Jesus') life" (John 11:53). In their reasoning Jesus had to die, otherwise they were going to lose, "both our place and our nation", because the Romans wouldn't tolerate the people's belief in Christ!
How often have we predicted the future in the same way! These men were no more privy to what would happen than we are, yet we fret and strive to control the outcome of things that are beyond our realm of power. They couldn't say for sure that the Romans would take away their political power if the people believed in Christ, but out of fear they decided Christ would have to die to preserve the nation.
In situations that cause us to fear we also have a choice of response.
We can become angry, decide to lash out at the thing that brings fear, and use whatever means we have available to bring it under our control.
Or...we can follow God's instruction, "Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him...Cease from anger, and forsake wrath. Do not fret - it only causes harm." (Psalm 37:7a, 8)
And then there is the response we make with greatest consequences of all.
Our response to what Christ has done for us.
, "...that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures." ( 1 Corinthians 15:3b-4)
There are many who embrace the free gift of salvation that comes when they believe in Him, taking to heart the words in Romans 10:9-10, "That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."
Jesus knew others would choose to reject Him. In John 3:36 He addressed them, "Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on him."
Another miracle, your response can mean life...or death.
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
A Very Slow Journey...Through John!
Joshua 1
I'm hijacking Journey Through John today and taking it to the book of Joshua.
Trust me, I have a reason...
Sunday morning in Bible study, Doug - our teacher, taught from the first chapter of Joshua. Moses, the prophet who led the Israelites out of Egypt, had passed away and Joshua became the new leader. In this first chapter God gives the new leader the same instruction over and again, "...Be strong and of good courage..." Strength and courage would be needed in bushels full with the task Joshua had ahead of him - he would lead the Israelites in to the land of Canaan to claim it as the inheritance from God that it was, and is. A covenant with the patriarch Abraham established this land as their own (see 1Chronicles 16:13-18).
Doug went on to point out that this, "...strong and of good courage...", could also be translated as, "be resolute and persevere". Resolve that you will do what God has called you to do, then keep doing it until He calls you to something else, or lets you know it's finished. Now, it's hard for me to relate to leading a massive group of people into the Promised Land - but resolving to do what God has called me to do and persevering at it, well that is convicting...
And takes us back to Journey Through John.
Way back in October when God led me to start this blog in response to Pastor Tony's message, I thought, "No big deal, I'll be done with John in 4-6 weeks at the most." Now it's June, and the blog is written through John 11:45. Eight months, and only a smidgen over halfway through! Resolution and perseverance...? Hmmm...
Can you relate to this? Is there something in your life that God has called you to, and you are overwhelmed in trying to start it, complete it, persevere at it? Trust me, I understand the tidal waves that can roll over your life and knock you right back to where you've started! It's hard to keep going, and easy to give up in despair that you will ever accomplish God's will, unless you read the rest of the instructions...
"...do not be afraid, do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." (Joshua 1:9b)
We aren't alone when we follow God's will, God Himself is with us, wherever the journey of His will takes us. Dismay and fear are pushed aside, they can't stand in God's presence!
God's will is taking me on a Journey Through John... I know, I know it's a very slow journey - but thanks for going with me!
I'm hijacking Journey Through John today and taking it to the book of Joshua.
Trust me, I have a reason...
Sunday morning in Bible study, Doug - our teacher, taught from the first chapter of Joshua. Moses, the prophet who led the Israelites out of Egypt, had passed away and Joshua became the new leader. In this first chapter God gives the new leader the same instruction over and again, "...Be strong and of good courage..." Strength and courage would be needed in bushels full with the task Joshua had ahead of him - he would lead the Israelites in to the land of Canaan to claim it as the inheritance from God that it was, and is. A covenant with the patriarch Abraham established this land as their own (see 1Chronicles 16:13-18).
Doug went on to point out that this, "...strong and of good courage...", could also be translated as, "be resolute and persevere". Resolve that you will do what God has called you to do, then keep doing it until He calls you to something else, or lets you know it's finished. Now, it's hard for me to relate to leading a massive group of people into the Promised Land - but resolving to do what God has called me to do and persevering at it, well that is convicting...
And takes us back to Journey Through John.
Way back in October when God led me to start this blog in response to Pastor Tony's message, I thought, "No big deal, I'll be done with John in 4-6 weeks at the most." Now it's June, and the blog is written through John 11:45. Eight months, and only a smidgen over halfway through! Resolution and perseverance...? Hmmm...
Can you relate to this? Is there something in your life that God has called you to, and you are overwhelmed in trying to start it, complete it, persevere at it? Trust me, I understand the tidal waves that can roll over your life and knock you right back to where you've started! It's hard to keep going, and easy to give up in despair that you will ever accomplish God's will, unless you read the rest of the instructions...
"...do not be afraid, do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." (Joshua 1:9b)
We aren't alone when we follow God's will, God Himself is with us, wherever the journey of His will takes us. Dismay and fear are pushed aside, they can't stand in God's presence!
God's will is taking me on a Journey Through John... I know, I know it's a very slow journey - but thanks for going with me!
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Our Trial for His Glory
John 11:7-43
Jesus allowed Lazarus to die. When He arrived in Bethany, Lazarus had been in the tomb for four days, and in the picturesque words of his sister, Martha, "...by this time there is a bad odor."
As Jesus approached Bethany Martha had left her home to meet Him. "Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died." was her greeting for Him. Straightforward, to the point- the blame is yours Jesus! "But", she adds, "I know that even now God will give You whatever You ask."
Martha's brother is dead and she is grieving. One stage of grief has been identified as anger. Anger at ourselves for not being able to do more to prevent the death, anger at the person who died for leaving, anger towards others we blame for not saving our loved one...
Jesus tells her that her brother will rise again, and she responds that she knows he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day. Words of hope, all was not lost, she would see him again one day. He tells her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die." And then He asks her, "Do you believe this?" Martha responds, "Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world." A life that goes on eternally even when our body ceases to function, our great hope that goes beyond the passing of life on earth. Jesus gives us the comfort found in this hope when we believe in Him.
Lazarus was Jesus's friend, He wept over his death. He shares the deep grief we feel in the loss of a loved one, He understood Martha's grief, and ours.
Jesus goes to Lazarus' tomb, prays, then calls in a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out!" Bound in grave clothes Lazarus comes out of the tomb - alive! After witnessing this miracle, many came to faith in Christ.
Martha's sadness and grief were turned to joy. Her brother was alive!
Lazarus' sickness did not, "end in death. No, it is for God's glory, so that God's Son may be glorified through it." (John 11:4) The crowd gathered in Mary and Martha's home to mourn Lazarus had the opportunity to see Jesus' miracle and believe in Him. God was glorified!
God's plan is beyond our understanding. What looks like grief to us may be part of His plan to bring others to faith in Him. When Corrie ten Boom and her sister Betsy were sent to prison for hiding Jews during WWII they faced great suffering, and for Betsy, death. Yet because they were in that prison and shared God's Word, many came to hear about Jesus, and believed in Him. How God could be glorified in a concentration camp is beyond our understanding, yet from this great bad came great good.
And so... rather than getting angry at God...perhaps we should ask that He use our trial for His glory...
Jesus allowed Lazarus to die. When He arrived in Bethany, Lazarus had been in the tomb for four days, and in the picturesque words of his sister, Martha, "...by this time there is a bad odor."
As Jesus approached Bethany Martha had left her home to meet Him. "Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died." was her greeting for Him. Straightforward, to the point- the blame is yours Jesus! "But", she adds, "I know that even now God will give You whatever You ask."
Martha's brother is dead and she is grieving. One stage of grief has been identified as anger. Anger at ourselves for not being able to do more to prevent the death, anger at the person who died for leaving, anger towards others we blame for not saving our loved one...
Jesus tells her that her brother will rise again, and she responds that she knows he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day. Words of hope, all was not lost, she would see him again one day. He tells her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die." And then He asks her, "Do you believe this?" Martha responds, "Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world." A life that goes on eternally even when our body ceases to function, our great hope that goes beyond the passing of life on earth. Jesus gives us the comfort found in this hope when we believe in Him.
Lazarus was Jesus's friend, He wept over his death. He shares the deep grief we feel in the loss of a loved one, He understood Martha's grief, and ours.
Jesus goes to Lazarus' tomb, prays, then calls in a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out!" Bound in grave clothes Lazarus comes out of the tomb - alive! After witnessing this miracle, many came to faith in Christ.
Martha's sadness and grief were turned to joy. Her brother was alive!
Lazarus' sickness did not, "end in death. No, it is for God's glory, so that God's Son may be glorified through it." (John 11:4) The crowd gathered in Mary and Martha's home to mourn Lazarus had the opportunity to see Jesus' miracle and believe in Him. God was glorified!
God's plan is beyond our understanding. What looks like grief to us may be part of His plan to bring others to faith in Him. When Corrie ten Boom and her sister Betsy were sent to prison for hiding Jews during WWII they faced great suffering, and for Betsy, death. Yet because they were in that prison and shared God's Word, many came to hear about Jesus, and believed in Him. How God could be glorified in a concentration camp is beyond our understanding, yet from this great bad came great good.
And so... rather than getting angry at God...perhaps we should ask that He use our trial for His glory...
Friday, April 20, 2012
Jesus Waits Two Days
John 11: 1-6
We may be living in an age of great medical advancements, however, most of us have heard the words, "I'm sorry, there is nothing else we can do for them", spoken by a doctor regarding someone we love. These words can fill us with despair; if the doctor is helpless against the disease, we are even more so.
This is where we find Mary and Martha, the two sisters of Lazarus. Concern fills their hearts, Lazarus is very ill. It doesn't mention a doctor's visit, hospital stay, or aggressive testing. Most of what we know about healing the sick didn't exist at the time of Jesus. So it isn't hard to understand why people followed Jesus to ask for a healing touch - for themselves and their loved ones.
Mary, Martha and Lazarus knew that Jesus had the power to heal. When Lazarus is ill, it is natural that the sisters would send a message to Jesus, "Lord the one you love is sick."
I've always found what happens next somewhat troubling. If you love someone who is sick, and you have the power to heal them - wouldn't you drop everything and rush to their side? Jesus doesn't do that, instead He stays where He is for two more days. Troubling, until I remember Isaiah 55:8-9, "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."
The higher purpose in this case is God being glorified through Lazarus' sickness.
Jesus loved Mary, Martha and Lazarus; they know He loves them. Because He loves them He stays where He is for two more days.
Which makes me wonder - when we are praying desperately for Jesus to heal someone we love, and it looks like He doesn't hear us, isn't answering - is staying away, could it be because He has a higher purpose for that illness to serve?
What comfort to know that our great God, "...has gracious intentions even in seeming delays." (Matthew Henry)
We may be living in an age of great medical advancements, however, most of us have heard the words, "I'm sorry, there is nothing else we can do for them", spoken by a doctor regarding someone we love. These words can fill us with despair; if the doctor is helpless against the disease, we are even more so.
This is where we find Mary and Martha, the two sisters of Lazarus. Concern fills their hearts, Lazarus is very ill. It doesn't mention a doctor's visit, hospital stay, or aggressive testing. Most of what we know about healing the sick didn't exist at the time of Jesus. So it isn't hard to understand why people followed Jesus to ask for a healing touch - for themselves and their loved ones.
Mary, Martha and Lazarus knew that Jesus had the power to heal. When Lazarus is ill, it is natural that the sisters would send a message to Jesus, "Lord the one you love is sick."
I've always found what happens next somewhat troubling. If you love someone who is sick, and you have the power to heal them - wouldn't you drop everything and rush to their side? Jesus doesn't do that, instead He stays where He is for two more days. Troubling, until I remember Isaiah 55:8-9, "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."
The higher purpose in this case is God being glorified through Lazarus' sickness.
Jesus loved Mary, Martha and Lazarus; they know He loves them. Because He loves them He stays where He is for two more days.
Which makes me wonder - when we are praying desperately for Jesus to heal someone we love, and it looks like He doesn't hear us, isn't answering - is staying away, could it be because He has a higher purpose for that illness to serve?
What comfort to know that our great God, "...has gracious intentions even in seeming delays." (Matthew Henry)
Thursday, April 12, 2012
Are You the Deliverer?
John 10:22-42
"How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ tell us plainly." The Jews had gathered around Jesus and want to know, "Are you the Messiah, the One foretold by our prophets, the Deliverer promised to us?" Was Jesus the One who would finally release them from thier captivity?
These men knew God had delivered their people in the past. When their ancestors were living as slaves in Egypt, God sent Moses to lead them out of slavery to the Promised Land; "...The Israelites groaned in their slavery and cried out, and their cry for help because of their slavery went up to God...The Lord said,'I have indeed seen the misery of My people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering...So now I am sending you (Moses) to bring My people the Israelites out of Egypt." (Exodus 2:23, 3:7,10)
In Jesus' time they were living in thier land, but under the brutal rule and occupation of the Roman government. The story of God's deliverance from Egypt was repeated each year at Passover. God could deliver them from the Roman occupation, He just needed to send a deliverer! So they are gathered around Jesus asking, wondering...
Jesus reminds them that He has performed miracles in the Father's name, and yet they don't believe. It's interesting that when Moses first went to the Israelites to tell them that God was going to deliver them from thier slavery, they don't believe either, "...but they did not listen to him because of their discouragement and cruel bondage."
Then Jesus tells them "I and the Father are One." They pick up stones to kill Him - the Man who might be their Deliverer has claimed to be God! Moses delivered God's people without ever claiming to be God, this is blasphemy!
Or perhaps they were having a conversation, but not talking about the same thing...
They wanted delivery from the Romans, to have thier present situation fixed. Jesus wanted to give them so much more, "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand."
Jesus was their Messiah, Deliverer, the One God sent to release them, not from Rome, but from the sin that held them captive. Jesus was concerned about that kind of slavery, " I tell you the truth," He said in John 8:34-36, "everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed."
Jesus left these men and went back to where John had been baptizing in the early days. "And in that place many believed in Jesus."
Delivered forever from the bondage of sin...delivered into eternal life!
"How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ tell us plainly." The Jews had gathered around Jesus and want to know, "Are you the Messiah, the One foretold by our prophets, the Deliverer promised to us?" Was Jesus the One who would finally release them from thier captivity?
These men knew God had delivered their people in the past. When their ancestors were living as slaves in Egypt, God sent Moses to lead them out of slavery to the Promised Land; "...The Israelites groaned in their slavery and cried out, and their cry for help because of their slavery went up to God...The Lord said,'I have indeed seen the misery of My people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering...So now I am sending you (Moses) to bring My people the Israelites out of Egypt." (Exodus 2:23, 3:7,10)
In Jesus' time they were living in thier land, but under the brutal rule and occupation of the Roman government. The story of God's deliverance from Egypt was repeated each year at Passover. God could deliver them from the Roman occupation, He just needed to send a deliverer! So they are gathered around Jesus asking, wondering...
Jesus reminds them that He has performed miracles in the Father's name, and yet they don't believe. It's interesting that when Moses first went to the Israelites to tell them that God was going to deliver them from thier slavery, they don't believe either, "...but they did not listen to him because of their discouragement and cruel bondage."
Then Jesus tells them "I and the Father are One." They pick up stones to kill Him - the Man who might be their Deliverer has claimed to be God! Moses delivered God's people without ever claiming to be God, this is blasphemy!
Or perhaps they were having a conversation, but not talking about the same thing...
They wanted delivery from the Romans, to have thier present situation fixed. Jesus wanted to give them so much more, "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand."
Jesus was their Messiah, Deliverer, the One God sent to release them, not from Rome, but from the sin that held them captive. Jesus was concerned about that kind of slavery, " I tell you the truth," He said in John 8:34-36, "everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed."
Jesus left these men and went back to where John had been baptizing in the early days. "And in that place many believed in Jesus."
Delivered forever from the bondage of sin...delivered into eternal life!
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Sheep in His Pasture
John 10:1-21
Reading the poetry of the Psalms paints beautiful pictures of God's care for us. In Psalms 100:3 we find, "Know that the Lord is God. It is He who made us, and we are His; we are His people, the sheep of His pasture." With that I envision the sheep I saw in Ireland. Healthy, contented, in pastures full of green grass, protected by stone walls from predators, sheep farmers ready to care for thier needs. "The Lord is my Shepherd...", I am a sheep in His pasture.
God gave overseers to care for His sheep; priests, prophets, teachers to guide and care for thier spiritual growth. Moses and David are two such leaders that cared for God's people. As we continue to read the Old Testament we find that other leaders led the people astray. Instead of staying in God's pasture where He would feed them from His Word, they were led to follow false gods and religions. These leaders left God's sheep vulnerable to predators and the disease of sin.
God saw what was happening to His sheep. "Woe to the shepherds who are destroying and scattering the sheep of my pasture!" He declared. (Jeremiah 23:1) "My people have been lost sheep; their shepherds have led them astray..." (Jeremiah 50:6)
When Jesus came He looked out at a crowd of people - the sheep of God's pasture,and, "He had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd." (Matthew 9:36)
"I am the good shepherd." Jesus proclaims. "The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep."
The hireling left the sheep during danger, he did not care for the sheep, "you do not take care of the flock. You have not strengthened the weak or healed the sick or bound up the injured. You have not brought back the strays or searched for the lost. You have ruled them harshly and brutally." (Ezekiel 34:4)
Time and again we see Jesus as the Good Shepherd, searching for the lost, healing the sick...
"Hirelings" exist today. Those that would lead the sheep away from God's Word, then use them for thier own selfish purposes, " ...and because my shepherds did not search for my flock but cared for themselves rather than for my flock, therefore, O shepherds, hear the word of the Lord: This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I am against the shepherds and will hold them accountable for my flock..." (Ezekiel 34:9-10)
There is only One that can be called the Good Shepherd; Jesus, who laid down His life for us when He willingly went to the cross of Calvary and died for our sins.
Jesus laid down His life in love for the sheep, and His sheep know Him...
Do you know the Good Shepherd?
Reading the poetry of the Psalms paints beautiful pictures of God's care for us. In Psalms 100:3 we find, "Know that the Lord is God. It is He who made us, and we are His; we are His people, the sheep of His pasture." With that I envision the sheep I saw in Ireland. Healthy, contented, in pastures full of green grass, protected by stone walls from predators, sheep farmers ready to care for thier needs. "The Lord is my Shepherd...", I am a sheep in His pasture.
God gave overseers to care for His sheep; priests, prophets, teachers to guide and care for thier spiritual growth. Moses and David are two such leaders that cared for God's people. As we continue to read the Old Testament we find that other leaders led the people astray. Instead of staying in God's pasture where He would feed them from His Word, they were led to follow false gods and religions. These leaders left God's sheep vulnerable to predators and the disease of sin.
God saw what was happening to His sheep. "Woe to the shepherds who are destroying and scattering the sheep of my pasture!" He declared. (Jeremiah 23:1) "My people have been lost sheep; their shepherds have led them astray..." (Jeremiah 50:6)
When Jesus came He looked out at a crowd of people - the sheep of God's pasture,and, "He had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd." (Matthew 9:36)
"I am the good shepherd." Jesus proclaims. "The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep."
The hireling left the sheep during danger, he did not care for the sheep, "you do not take care of the flock. You have not strengthened the weak or healed the sick or bound up the injured. You have not brought back the strays or searched for the lost. You have ruled them harshly and brutally." (Ezekiel 34:4)
Time and again we see Jesus as the Good Shepherd, searching for the lost, healing the sick...
"Hirelings" exist today. Those that would lead the sheep away from God's Word, then use them for thier own selfish purposes, " ...and because my shepherds did not search for my flock but cared for themselves rather than for my flock, therefore, O shepherds, hear the word of the Lord: This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I am against the shepherds and will hold them accountable for my flock..." (Ezekiel 34:9-10)
There is only One that can be called the Good Shepherd; Jesus, who laid down His life for us when He willingly went to the cross of Calvary and died for our sins.
Jesus laid down His life in love for the sheep, and His sheep know Him...
Do you know the Good Shepherd?
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Can Your Guide See?
John 9:35-36
Jesus said, " For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind.". Some Pharisees who were with Him heard Him say this and asked, "What? Are we blind too?" Jesus said, "If you were blind, you would not be guilty of sin; but now that you claim you can see, your guilt remains."
The physical healing of a blind man sparks the anger of the religious Pharisees. The man is thrown out of the synagogue for acknowledging Jesus as his healer. Jesus searches him out, and comes right to the point, "Do you believe in the Son of Man?" The man asks who He is, so that he may believe in Him. Jesus tells him, "You have now seen Him; in fact, He is the One speaking with you." The man believes in Jesus and worships Him!
The Pharisees, who are there listening, ask if they are blind also. Interesting, because in the gospel of Matthew, chapter 23 we find Jesus calling the Pharisees blind guides, blind fools, blind men...
If you were climbing Mt. Everest, a life or death experience, would you put your trust in a guide that is blind? No, that would most certainly result in death, especially in the case of a climber who had never been to the summit. Why then, do we trust "religious" guides who are blind?
These guides - the Pharisees - were shutting "the Kingdom of Heaven in men's faces". (Matthew 23:13) They wouldn't enter the Kingdom by trusting in Christ and following Him, nor would they allow those who wanted to enter the Kingdom to do so. Their blindness would lead others to death because, "Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life..." (John 3:36) Though we are referring to the Pharisees from Jesus' time in this Scripture, would you not agree that there are many who would guide us away from belief in Christ in our own day?
Are you following a blind guide? Or, more importantly, are you following Jesus?
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths." Proverbs 3:5-6
Jesus said, " For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind.". Some Pharisees who were with Him heard Him say this and asked, "What? Are we blind too?" Jesus said, "If you were blind, you would not be guilty of sin; but now that you claim you can see, your guilt remains."
The physical healing of a blind man sparks the anger of the religious Pharisees. The man is thrown out of the synagogue for acknowledging Jesus as his healer. Jesus searches him out, and comes right to the point, "Do you believe in the Son of Man?" The man asks who He is, so that he may believe in Him. Jesus tells him, "You have now seen Him; in fact, He is the One speaking with you." The man believes in Jesus and worships Him!
The Pharisees, who are there listening, ask if they are blind also. Interesting, because in the gospel of Matthew, chapter 23 we find Jesus calling the Pharisees blind guides, blind fools, blind men...
If you were climbing Mt. Everest, a life or death experience, would you put your trust in a guide that is blind? No, that would most certainly result in death, especially in the case of a climber who had never been to the summit. Why then, do we trust "religious" guides who are blind?
These guides - the Pharisees - were shutting "the Kingdom of Heaven in men's faces". (Matthew 23:13) They wouldn't enter the Kingdom by trusting in Christ and following Him, nor would they allow those who wanted to enter the Kingdom to do so. Their blindness would lead others to death because, "Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life..." (John 3:36) Though we are referring to the Pharisees from Jesus' time in this Scripture, would you not agree that there are many who would guide us away from belief in Christ in our own day?
Are you following a blind guide? Or, more importantly, are you following Jesus?
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths." Proverbs 3:5-6
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