This would have to be one of my favourite chapters from John (tough choice I admit, there are so many memorable ones).
Love and admire the simple, but gutsy, testimonial approach of the recently healed blind man, standing toe to toe with the Pharisees, and simply, but effectively, sticking to his story in the face of cynicism and open animosity and unbelief. Really inspirational. Reminds me of 1 Peter 3:15 "And if you are asked about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it"
But the verse that always gets me every time I read John 9 is verse 4.....
"All of us must quickly carry out the tasks assigned us by the one who sent me, because there is little time left before the night falls and all work comes to an end."
This really emphasises the importance of seeking God's voice in our lives and being prepared to obey him without question. Time is short. Every day is valuable. We can't afford to waste one moment, one opportunity.
Related to this, while reading some of the entries on this blog this past week was reminded of Wolfgang Simson's discussion of the Hebrew word nagat (might have incorrect spelling!) in relation to Ezekiel 43:10. "Son of man, nagat to the people of Israel the temple I have shown you........"
The word nagat loosely means a royal declaration of our heavenly king but is difficult to translate because it has such authority attached to it that there simply isn't a modern word that comes close to its full and complete meaning.
When considering what it means to obey God in our daily walk, I find it useful to think of this word nagat to emphasize just how much authority is attached to the directives given to us and what is at stake.
I pray that this will spur me on to a stronger resolve to be listening for His voice and greater and more automatic obedience.
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An eight week journey of seeking God as we read.think.pray.live our way through the gospel of John
An Invitation
Please join us during this lead up to Christmas 2009 by doing the four things listed below. Anyone can join at any time throughout this 8 week period although obviously it would be best if you can begin with us on the first of November 2009.
Requirements:
1. Commit to seeking God EVERY DAY in Nov & Dec '09 in a way that is more radical than anything you have ever done before.
2. Read.think.pray.live your way through the Gospel of John in seven weeks (3 chapters each week) and then 1 John, 2 John, 3 John in the final week.
3. Listen to the Holy Spirit and obey whatever he says to do!!
4. Contribute your insights and experiences to this blog.
May we all continue to seek the Kingdom of God before anything else!
Requirements:
1. Commit to seeking God EVERY DAY in Nov & Dec '09 in a way that is more radical than anything you have ever done before.
2. Read.think.pray.live your way through the Gospel of John in seven weeks (3 chapters each week) and then 1 John, 2 John, 3 John in the final week.
3. Listen to the Holy Spirit and obey whatever he says to do!!
4. Contribute your insights and experiences to this blog.
May we all continue to seek the Kingdom of God before anything else!
4 comments:
Thanks for your post this morning Mike. I look forward to seeing you in about an hour :)
This chapter reminded me of a teaching I heard by Jackie Pullinger last week. All we have to do is testify to what Jesus has done in our lives. We are called to be "witnesses". This is what the ex-blind beggar man did and it was powerful.
I still can't get my head around the fascination these guys had with not doing anything on the Sabbath. It seems to rock their world like nothing else!
Isn't it strange how humans link sickness with sin; like there must be a manifest punishment for sinning. The question as to who sinned actually goes back a long way to Adam and Eve.
Jesus could have healed this guy on the spot like he had done many times before. In this instance he did something a little odd, but required the blind man to act in faith, despite all opposing human logic, and as a result receive his healing and simple, powerful testimony. I like the way that he continues to bait the religious folk by healing on the Sabbath. Oh how our corruption of truth and instruction binds us in futility.
Nothing should stand in the way of us being open to whatever God wants to do and then acting on it. If we could be a conduit to such works of faith and kingdom power then imagine having testimonies like that spreading the message of Jesus.
"One thing I do know, I was once blind but now I see".
Mike,
I was just reading chapter 9, and that is the same verse that stuck out to me--verse 4--that we must do the things God has assigned for us to do before the night falls. The enormity of that verse alone will change the way I live every moment.
My boss from many years ago (when I was a teen) was from Bolivia. I don't know if this is Bolivian or not, but he used to say to us, "chop, chop." It wasn't sweat-shop or anything...just a couple of words to motivate us to step on it, to get things done.
I picture Christ telling us "the harvest is ripe. Chop, chop."
Oh, how I pray I am obedient.
Cindy
Although I didn't mention it in my first post, I must say that verse 4 also stood out to me when I read this chapter. Maybe this means something :) Thanks for your encouragement Cindy.
"Chop, chop.. the harvest is ripe!"
Andrew Kowald
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