This Weeks Chapters: John 8 - 12
Pastor Alan Morton
I love reading through the accounts of Jesus’ encounters with people, both the religious & non-religious.
In John’s Gospel Chapter 9, Jesus encounters a man who has been blind for the whole of his life. Everyone around has a theory as to why he is in this state, looking to apportion blame, to justify their thoughts and judgements.
But Jesus has a different outlook … here is an opportunity for a miracle … a point in time for this man to receive faith.
This one miracle even goes against one of the few trends that we do see in looking at the miracles Jesus did. In all other situations people came to Jesus asking for mercy, healing, forgiveness … and they received “according to their faith”.
Here the man does not appear to make any effort. Jesus is the one taking the initiative. He makes the mud packs for the man’s eyes and gives him instructions about what to do; but then having done so, the result is up to the man. Will he obey, in faith, going to the pool where he has been sent, or just stay where he is?
Faith is still the initiator of this miracle. As the man goes and washes the miracle is released. Yet the man still does not walk in freedom or faith. All he has received so far is his physical sight.
The Pharisees and other leaders’ challenges to him (v13 onwards) appear to provoke this man into examining his own faith. The stronger the challenges to deny Jesus, the more this man’s faith and confession grow, even when threatened with being thrown out of his community.
Then after he has stood up and defended Jesus, lost everything as a result, Jesus comes and challenges him as well. However, here the desire is different. Jesus is not trying to trip him up in his faith, but to focus his faith and to ensure that focus is directed onto the right person. The result is healing, faith and freedom that are expressed in worship.
Right at the start Jesus stated “While I am in the world, I am the light of the world” v5. Everything that happened next was the outworking of that life.
That is the same challenge we have today … while we are in the world … we are the light of the world (Matt 5 v14). That light is “Christ in us, the hope of glory” (Col 1 v27). It is not something we have become, miracle workers; but the person who lives in us (Jesus) still does that light (and life) releasing work today.
So: be the catalyst for others receiving faith, miracles, forgiveness etc today!
Breathing Daily with God is an opportunity for the Pastors to share their thoughts on the chapters we have been reading in our daily bible reading plan.Email this to a friend | Add A Comment | Bookmark | Subscribe
5 Comments So Far
- Pastor Matt
- Ann Bowes
- mathew tapusoa
- chenayi
- April Hewitt
Excellent Word Pastor Alan! :0)
posted April 21, 2008 at 05:02 PM
Great Word Pastor Alan. Thank you. The reality of Christ in us is a great revelation and is dawning on me more and more as I am around people who do not know Jesus. Sunday night I was ministering to an alcoholic about the love of Jesus and she started to cry and she said that she really believed that I cared for her and felt love. I was able to tell her that Christ lived in me and it was He loving her through me. I went on to explain in her language how God loved her just as she is.
Lord let us let this light so shine before men that they may know Christ. Sometimes we think that the world doesn’t want to know the truth that Christ loves them, but nothing is further from the truth. Jesus says the fields are white with the harvest. So lets let this glorious light shine from us in loving a world that feels so unloved. You are a blessing dear Pastor Alan. Be encouraged.
Jesus said this and this is one of my confessions on a daily basis.
1 Peter 4:8
I will be obedient to love all deeply, because love will casue many sins to be forgiven.
I receive Your gift Lord to serve others.
I will be a good servant of the Lord because of Your grace .
Love is the answer to everything.
Bless you
Ann Bowes
posted April 22, 2008 at 01:48 PM
thank you ! great word for me at this time !
posted April 22, 2008 at 10:46 PM
Thank you Pastor Alan.
posted April 23, 2008 at 12:21 PM
Thank you for such a great word Pastor Alan!
I think God is doing amazing things at the moment, and I am seeing and feeling Christ in me and also witnessing God in more people (in the covenant groups) just shining out so, so bright. The lamp is definitely out for all to see and not just under the table! Praise God!
posted April 23, 2008 at 09:45 PM
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