Since the world began, it was not heard that any man opened the eyes of one that was born blind and yet, we read that Jesus did restore the blind man's sight, who said, "If this were not of God, He could do nothing." (John 9:32-33)
Still, because of the blind man's healing, the religious of the day cast him out. They wanted nothing to do with the man, even going so far as to question his parents -- whether their son had been blind from birth. To such extremes, they went determined to dismiss Christ on every level. Note that the Jews had already agreed beforehand "that if any man did confess that He was the Christ, he should be put out of the synagogue." (John 9:22)
It probably didn't help that the healed man told them, "Why herein is a marvelous thing, that ye know not from whence He is, and yet He hath opened mine eyes." (John 9:30)
Note that a similar conversation took place between Jesus and Nicodemus. Nicodemus was asking Jesus, "How can these things be?" To which Jesus answered and said unto him, "Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things? Verily, verily, I say unto thee -- we speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen, and ye receive not our witness. If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe if I tell you [of] heavenly things?" (John 3:9-13)
Sadly, there are those who will not believe in Jesus the Christ by faith despite the many blessings that they witness all around them. This was the case in Jesus' day, and unfortunately, continues within many congregations to this day. But the good news is that we -- as believers in Jesus Christ our Lord -- have a higher counsel in which to trust.
We have not been forsaken. Jesus will lead and guide us into all truth if we seek Him first in everything we do -- with all our heart, soul, mind and strength.
Just like the restored blind man said to Jesus -- after being kicked out of the synagogue -- "Who is He Lord, that I might believe on Him?" How did Jesus respond? "Thou hast both seen Him, and it is He that talketh with thee." (John 9:36-37) The man's response? "Lord, I believe" and then worshiped Jesus. (John 9:38)
Similarly, Nicodemus whose initial question to Jesus would make anyone wonder if he had any faith. But what we see later when we study His Word is that Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews did not stagnate in his faith. He sojourned right to the very end with Jesus. Indeed, Nicodemus came to the chief priests and Pharisees who wanted Jesus dead at that time, "Doth our law judge [any] man before it hear Him, and know what He doeth?" (John 7:50-52) A bold statement when one considers the potential consequences. Note also that Nicodemus was one of those who took the body of Jesus, wounded it in linen clothes with the spices -- "a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound weight." (John 19:38-42)
The point is that neither stopped their faith journey with the gift of salvation. They continued steadfastly in what we now know as the apostles' doctrine. (Acts 2:37-42) We are to do the same, remaining steadfast in His liberty, becoming fishers of men for the good news gospel of our Lord God and Saviour Jesus the Christ.
It is He that has blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places "according as He hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be in Him in love -- having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will -- to the praise of the glory of His grace, wherein He hath made us accepted in the beloved.
In whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace wherein He hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence ... having made known unto the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He hath purposed in Himself, that in the dispensation of the fullness of times, He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth [even] in Him.
In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of Him who worketh all things after the counsel of His own will." (Ephesians 1:3-11)
"One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all, [which] unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.: (Ephesians 4:6)
Stand in the offering plate with Jesus!
No comments:
Post a Comment