October 24: John 9:1-10:21

October 24, John 9:1-10:21

John continued…

John 9 Jesus is still healing people and ruffling the feathers of the Pharisees. We start out by learning about this blind guy that meets Jesus. Jesus spat on the ground and made some mud. He anointed this guys eyes with it and told the guy to go wash off in the pool of Siloam. The guy came back and he could see. He had been healed! People began to talk… they couldn't figure out if this guy that they knew their whole lives was the same guy that could now see. The guy was adamant that he was the guy that they knew as blind and this ‘Jesus’ had healed him and made him able to see. Enter the Pharisees… the guy that was blind was brought before them. The Pharisees were divided as to what was going on - mainly over the concept of Jesus giving somebody their sight. The Jews didn't believe him, so they brought in his parents and asked them. They were too chicken and afraid to get kicked out of the synagogue so they did not tell them anything and basically just pinned it on their son. Nice work mom & dad… So, they brought in the guy that was blind again and asked again. He gave them the same answers and he had a sense of humor as well - “Why do you want to hear it again? Do you also want to become his disciples?” I like this guy… he goes on to tell them, “Why, this is an amazing thing! You do not know where he comes from, and yet he opened my eyes. 31 We know that God does not listen to sinners, but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does his will, God listens to him. 32 Never since the world began has it been heard that anyone opened the eyes of a man born blind. 33 If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.”  As you could imagine, they were not really thrilled with his answers. So, “They answered him, “You were born in utter sin, and would you teach us?” And they cast him out.” 

Jesus heard that they had cast him out and went and found him. Jesus assured this man that he was the son of man, Jesus. The man believed in Him and worshipped Him.

John 10 Jesus spoke - I am the good shepherd. I am the door of the sheep. My sheep know my voice and follow me. I know my own people. “And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.”

To sum it all up: 

• You must be ready to stand for what is right, even if you get kicked out of something that is culturally awesome. 
• What is your response to Jesus? Worship or boredom or complacency?