God Speaks
Jesus Heals a Man Born Blind and Teaches That He is the Good Shepherd of the Flock of God
Verse of the Day: [Jesus said to His opponents,] “Do not believe me unless I do the works of my Father. But if I do them, even though you do not believe, believe the works, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me, and I in the Father.” (John 10:37-38 NIV) 2011)
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Watch TBR Day 297
We Respond
John 9
Reflection: This chapter outlines an example of how one person made steady progress while growing in faith in Christ. Just as this man was born blind, all human beings are born blind to the things of God, having a natural inclination to sin. The cause of his blindness was not anyone’s specific sin, but to demonstrate the attributes of God, in this case His healing power. Once he was in Jesus’s presence, the blind man’s only responsibility was to believe and act on what Jesus said. This man obeyed Jesus and received his sight. When we believe what Jesus did for us on the cross and obey Him, we will receive eternal life. Next, he affirmed that he was the person who was healed. New believers need to affirm that they have been set free from their sin. The man was asked by his neighbors what had happened, and he gave a simple straight-forward answer. When questioned by the Pharisees, who were concerned about keeping the Sabbath, the man said, “I think He is a prophet sent from God.” His changed life was confirmed by those who knew him best, his parents. People close to us should be able to see changes in our lives. When the religious leaders asked him again, he reiterated, “I was blind and now I see.” We should be able to simply state the change Jesus has made in us. Again, they demanded to be told how he had been healed. He asked if they wanted to become His disciples (students). We should want to learn directly from Him (through the Bible and interactive prayer). When the authorities cursed him for suggesting such a thing, he answered, “Well, God doesn’t listen to evil men, but He has open ears to those who worship Him and do His will. Since the world began there has never been anyone who could open the eyes of someone born blind. If this man were not from God, he couldn’t do it.” (John 8:31-33 TLB) This is an example of God giving someone a bold witness (guided by the Holy Spirit) of who Jesus is when we are called before various authorities as He promised in Mark 13:11. We should depend on and follow the leading of the Holy Spirit as well whenever we are called on to give testimony about Christ’s work in our lives. The authorities got so angry that they threw him out. Finally, the man was granted a time of personal interaction with Jesus. Jesus asked him, “Do you believe in the Son of God?” Once Jesus identified Himself as the Christ (Messiah), the formerly blind man said, “‘Yes, Lord, . . . I believe!’ And he worshiped Jesus.” Jesus came to give sight to the spiritually blind and to help those who think they can see realize that they really are blind without faith in Him.
Prayer: Dear Father God, thank You for loving me. I want to make steady progress while growing in my faith in Christ. I acknowledge that I was born blind to the things of God, having a natural inclination to sin. The cause of the difficulties in my life was to demonstrate the attributes of God, in my case Your pure unfailing love. Once I was in Your presence, Jesus, my only responsibility was to believe and act on what Jesus said. I have obeyed You and received Your great healing. Since I believe what Jesus did for me on the cross and obey Him, I have received eternal life. I affirm that I am a person who has been healed. As a believer, I affirm that I have been set free from sin. May I give a simple straight-forward answer to anyone who asks me a reason for my hope. I will tell them that He is more than just a prophet (a great teacher). He was sent from God to destroy the works of Satan and save us from our sins. May my changed life be confirmed by those who know me best. May those close to me be able to see changes in my life. May I be able to explain to even religious leaders, “I was spiritually blind and now I can see and understand Jesus and the things of God.” I want to be able to simply state the change Jesus has made in me. May I be ready to tell how I have been healed any time someone asks. Help me to ask people if they want to become Jesus’s disciples (students). May we all want to learn directly from You (through the Bible and interactive prayer). Whenever anyone curses or insults me, may I answer, “God doesn’t listen to evil people, but He has open ears to those who worship Him and do His will. Since the world began there has never been anyone who could open the eyes of someone born blind. If Jesus were not from God, he couldn’t do it.” Lord God, please give me a bold witness (guided by the Holy Spirit) of who Jesus is when I am called before various authorities as You promised in Mark 13:11. I want to depend on and follow the leading of the Holy Spirit as well whenever I am called on to give testimony about Christ’s work in my life. Help me to trust You if the authorities get so angry that they throw me out (or into prison). Finally, please grant me times of personal interaction with You on a regular basis. Jesus, whenever You ask me “Do you believe in the Son of God?” may I identify You as the Christ (Messiah), my Savior and Lord. May I say with the formerly blind man, “Yes, Lord, . . . I believe!” And worship You, Jesus. You, Lord Jesus, came to give sight to the spiritually blind and to help those who think they can see realize that they really are blind without faith in You. AMEN
Action: (Ask God, the Holy Spirit, which one of these He wants you to work on or something else more personal that He points out.)
- I will examine my life using the experience of the man born blind as a pattern to see where I am in my spiritual walk.
- I will seek to grow in my understanding of who Jesus is as this formerly blind man did.
- I will ask the Lord to give me a burden for souls, the opportunity to speak up for Christ, and a boldness that won’t back down when my faith in Christ is questioned.
- I will be alert, listen for and obey the leading of the Holy Spirit.
John 10
Reflection: In this chapter Jesus used the analogy of sheep and a good shepherd to illustrate our weakness and inability to live the “good” life we so desire to live. For too long people have listened to thieves, robbers, murderers, and hirelings whose purpose is to steal, kill, and destroy everything God created and called good. Turning back to the God of the Bible is the only way out of this horrible mess human beings are in. We need the help and power of the Holy Spirit to run away from strange ideologies that would destroy everything we hold dear. We need to stay close to and follow the Lord, for God Almighty is our only hope. Jesus promised to give those who trust and obey Him life in eternal, overflowing abundance. We so need that in this time of fear, death, violence, rebellion, turmoil, and confusion. We are multitudes of self-focused, wandering, confused, and hurting sheep who need to be brought together to follow One good and loving Shepherd. Jesus voluntarily laid down His life for the sheep God the Father had given Him. He took it up again as proof that the death penalty for their sins had been paid. Nothing or no one can ever take His sheep out of Jesus’s or the Father’s possession. That gives people a sense of permanent security everyone needs. All we need to do is admit our need, then listen, trust, follow, and obey Him. At the Feast of Dedication (Hanukkah), Jesus declared that He was “The Son of God” (the Messiah). The Jewish leaders heard this, declared it was blasphemy, and tried to seize Him, but He escaped from them. Many other people heard what He said, saw the miracles, believed in Him, and were saved.
Prayer: Dear Gracious God, thank You for sending Jesus as the Good Shepherd to lead, protect, and provide for His sheep, of whom I have the privilege to be one. Lord, please cause Your people (including me) to hear Your voice and to follow (obey) You. Apart from You I am weak and unable to live the “good” life I so desire to live. For too long I have listened to thieves, robbers, murderers, and hirelings whose purpose is to steal, kill, and destroy everything You created and called good. You are the only way out of this horrible mess I am in. Help me to run away from strange ideologies that would destroy everything I hold dear. Please help me to stay close to and follow You. You are my only hope. You have promised to give me life in eternal, overflowing abundance. I so need that now. Holy Spirit, please help me (and many other people) to listen, trust, follow, and obey Jesus and God the Father. Thank You, Jesus, for voluntarily laying down Your life for this sheep [me] God the Father has given You. You took it up again as proof that the death penalty for my sins has been paid in full. Nothing or no one can ever take this sheep out of Yours or the Father’s possession. That gives me a sense of permanent security I really need. All I needed to do was admit my need, then listen, trust, follow, and obey You. I declare that Jesus is “The Son of God” (the promised Messiah). Thank You that, at just the right time, You died and rose again for my sake. May many other people hear what You said, see miracles, believe on You, and be saved. AMEN
Action: (Ask God, the Holy Spirit, which one of these He wants you to work on or something else more personal that He points out.)
- I will thank God for choosing me to be one of His sheep.
- I will admit my weakness and inability to live a godly life to God and at least one other human being and ask for forgiveness.
- I will pray for revival for my nation: that individually and collectively we will turn back to the God of the Bible.
- I will share with Jewish friends the fact that Jesus celebrated Hanukkah in hopes that they might investigate and come to know Him as their Messiah.
Share: I plan to share what I’ve learned with __________.