Wednesday March 19 - Ron Johnston John 9:4-7 We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.’ When he had said this, he spat on the ground and made mud with the saliva and spread the mud on the man’s eyes, saying to him, ‘Go, wash in the pool of Siloam’ (which means Sent). Then he went and washed and came back able to see Jesus restored the sight of a man who had been blind from birth on the Sabbath, against the Jewish law. Just as when he gathered wheat to feed the poor on the Sabbath, Jesus was demonstrating that the needs of people are more important than tradition or religious laws. Jesus also subtly conveys that he is the Messiah, because the term Sent (Siloam) meant to the Jewish people, the one Sent from God as the Messiah. This passage teaches us obedience. The blind man did as Jesus told him, and there was a good outcome for him. When we have the courage to be obedient to Jesus’ Word and do what he wants us to do (sometimes in blind faith), there is usually a good outcome for us as well as for others. In the words of the old hymn, “Trust and obey for there’s no other way to be happy in Jesus….” Jesus emphasizes the urgency of doing God’s work while we still can, because night is coming when no one can work (time will run out). Since Jesus is no longer physically present in the world, he is telling us to be his hands and feet to do his father’s work. As Jesus is the light of the world, we are to light up the lives of others when we can while there is still time. He wants his light to shine through us to bring healing to a blind and broken world. The blind man who was cured made a fuller confession of faith a little later on, but at this time his faith was elemental, “One thing I know, that whereas I was blind, now I see”. The cured man put the Pharisees on the defensive by asking them why they, the teachers of God’s law, cannot recognize a work of God when they see it. This embarrassed the authorities and made them more determined to silence Jesus. Lord Jesus, Give us a sense of urgency and strength. Equip us to be your feet and hands to do your father’s work of binding up the wounds of a hurting and broken world where we can while there is still time. May we follow you, the Messiah sent from the father, in simple obedience. Open our eyes to opportunities for service and give us the courage to say, “Here am I, Lord, send me, send me”. Amen Ron Johnston
Posted on: Wed, 19 Mar 2014 13:38:12 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015