John 9;1-41 (KJV)
Good Morning all. We are going to pick up this presentation at the place where most of you are more than likely dwelling at this present moment. Like the blind man, after his conversion/healing, you are now faced with the effects of your desire to tell everyone about this amazing transformation, as well as the man that is responsible for it; Christ Jesus.
How your life changes (How friends and family treat you): v8-34
*ONCE AGAIN, GRAB YOUR BIBLE*
Off the bat, we this man: who is now no longer blind; this is very momumental within his life, doing the very same exact thing we do, or did, once we have had our encounter with Christ Jesus. Going back around the same people that he was around when he was blind. Now, I will say this, there is nothing wrong with it because this is a newness in YOUR LIFE that you desire to share and who better than those that knew about you when you were the way you used to be; blind, sad, depressed, unmotivated, and beatdown in spirit.
v8-14
The neighbors therefore, and they which before had seen him that he was blind, said, Is not this he that sat and begged?
Some said, This is he: others said, He is like him: but he said, I am he.
Therefore said they unto him, How were thine eyes opened?
He answered and said, A man that is called Jesus made clay, and annointed mine eyes, and said unto me, Go to the pool of Siloam, and wash: and I went and washed, and I received sight.
Then said they unto him, Where is he? He said, I know not.
They brought to the Pharisees him that aforetime was blind.
And it was the sabbath day when Jesus made clay, and opened his eyes.
Do you see what happened to this man, now that he has been set in a new place in bis life and went back around those he used to hang out with? Can you make the connection to the sometime hiccups that occur when you attempt, with honest love in your heart, to go back to Mo Mo's crib, or Lil' Rough's place? Understand the difficulty this man faced, just as you faced, when attempting to share this good news about how a man named Jesus has done such a miracle in your life?
Let's grasp at one thing which needs to be said, "To go back to who you are familiar with, especially after such a great experience as receiving Salvation, is not a crime. But, you must go back with the knowledge that it was ONLY you who has received."
Besides, if we look back at the text, we will see the immediate similarities between them back then and those we 'see' in today's time. Some didn't believe it was him. Some said it looked like him. Some wanted to know how it happend. (Oh, my personal favorite type of people) Some just bypassed his joy of reception altogether, and wanted to know where Jesus was for themselves. Not because they desired the gift given, no, they desired to see if Jesus would 'give them' what they wanted. Once this man; who is no longer blind, tells them he doesn't know where Jesus is at these so called friends take him before the authorities.
This is HATERISM at it's best. Y'all know about people, such as these. Them that see your joy behind something you have received, let alone you have received your salvation of Christ Jesus, and they mad because they 'cannot' HAVE IT. But, little do those people realize, just like these people in the text, that if they just exert a little effort to search they would find Jesus and receive what they need as well. No, they accuse you before them that they know have no desire to be affliated with Jesus.
Go back and look at verses 13 and 14. These are Jews.
They know the custom and traditions: to know that bringing this man before the highly respected, socially accepted, traditional authority; to accuse him of receiving a miracle credited to have been given by some second rate, say he a prophet. And, this all happens on the sabbath. The Sabbath!!!!! This is the HOLY day: the day that God, himself, rests!!! Oh, these people are making sure this dude regretted not telling them where to find this man named Jesus. I mean let's be honest, if the man would have known where Jesus was at do you seriously think that these individuals, just like those you used to hang around, would have ran so quickly to 'tell' on you? Y'all know the rule: NO SNITCHIN'!!!
Again, do you understand about those who you may have hung around before you received your 'change' in life, position, stature: on the job, within the community, a marriage, or however you are now distinguished apart from that group? Some will not enjoy it with you. They would rather see you suffer under the scrutiny of accusation than to cheer for you; having the understanding, themselves, that they can receive it as well, with a little effort or search.
So there he is, standing before the Pharisees, being asked about his new place within his life. Can you imagine this dude's mental state at this point? Oh, wait! Yes, you can. Because just like us, when we received our salvation and began to walk behind Christ Jesus, this dude hasn't had too much time to enjoy it... As a matter of fact, this is within the same day or two, maybe, and he is already defending himself just for receiving the gift. Remember, this dude didn't particularly think his prior condition was none too bad. And, I can guarentee you those who knew him back then, loved him being in the state that he was in.
v15
Then again the Pharisees also asked him how he had received his sight. He said unto them, He put clay upon mine eyes, and I washed, and do see.
I can imagine this man, in his mind, saying, "Alright now, y'all getting on my nerves with this. Why is it you so concerned about me now? I have been blind all these years and not one of you finely robed, jewel encrusted, so and sos ever spoke to me as you went about your day. What do you really want with this Jesus, or with the knowledge of my receiving sight?"
Now if you notice, this man did not change his answer. He was standing before the most well respected men in the town. These Pharisees were the judge and jury of their day. Go back and study about them. You will see that to be brought before them, there would be some retribution for TRESPASSING THE LAW. But this former blind man stands before them and states the simple truth. Deal with it!!!!
v16 and 17
Therefore said some of the Pharisees, This man is not of God, because he keepeth not the sabbath day. Others said, How can a man that is a sinner do such miracles? And there was a division among them.
They say unto the blind man again, What sayest thou of him, that he hath opened thine eyes? He said, He is a prophet.
I hope you can see, clearly, what is occurring here at this moment: to link it to your life at present time, especially if you have just began your walk with Christ. These Pharisees only desire is to upon hold their interputation of the LAW. The Law according to Moses to be specific. But, what must be slide up in here is that st this time, most Pharisees were not living the Law themselves, nor applying it correctly. This is how the statement of the former blind man causes this division of thought within their group. Kinda like when you find yourself in front of that "accepted" form of authority and all you give is the truth of what happened to you. "Man, you remember I used to be out of control. Well, one day I gave my life to Christ Jesus, and he saved me. It's that simple"
That "accepted" authority always stands with that look of confusion. So, just as these Pharisees did, so those this mondern day authority say back, "Who do you say he is?"
What they truly mean is who do you say he is in comparison to us? He better not be greater than we are, in your mind. That is the actual offense. I know God is God, but I am his representation within your eyesight, so there better not be another that you have replaced me with.
Wow! That one kinda knocked me over right there.
*I did not desire to make a long post: to take up most of your time studying with me, but it appears that Christ has more for all of us. So, this is going to become a mini-series. LOL We will pick up Monday with the continuation of this presentation by looking at the family aspect of receiving salvation/healing of past disabilities.*
I hope you all are sticking with me during this, now understood, mini-series on John 9. Please leave me some feedback. Let me know how these presentations are affecting you, if they are affecting you. This would be most helpful to me as well. Remember, it is fellowship. I am not above being taught myself. I welcome your commentary. Let's all reach for Christ Jesus a little more.
Holla,
Yer Brova Catalyst
No comments:
Post a Comment