John

Jesus at the Feast of the Dedication John 10:22-42

In the first half of John 10 Christ is proclaiming that He is the true Shepherd. He will give His life for the flock, and we are told that His words left division among the Jews.

We pick up in verse 22. Many people believe there is a break between verse 21 and 22. I tend to agree, however this is all still linked to the 6th sign, the healing of the blind man, which proves Jesus is Messiah.

John 10:22 And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter.

I know I have said it before, but when we are giving a time and place, it is important so pay attention.

The feast of the dedication is, in short, Hanukkah . It is not a feast that was given by God to us through Moses. (Leviticus 23, Deuteronomy 16).  Still we need to understand this feast in order to understand the mindset of Jesus’ audience here.

In 168 B.C., Antiochus IV demanded the Jews take on Greek culture. He disallowed circumcision and sacrificed swine in the temple, thus ending sacrifice until we come to the time of the Maccabees.

Judas Maccabee was a priest that was confronted by soldiers and told to sacrifice to an idol. Instead, he killed the soldiers and led a revolt that led to Israel becoming an independent nation. Under his rule they rededicated the temple. I am sure most of us are familiar with the menorah and the story of how they lit the lamp and only had oil for one day. The lamp was not supposed to go out, and it took eight days to prepare more, but they felt it would be better to get the lamp lit, even for a little time, than not at all. So they lit the lamp and, instead of the oil lasting only one day, it lasted until the new oil was ready.

Why is all this important to know? Because it is at this time of year that the Jews looked for a messiah more than any other time. It was when they were thinking of the last time they had become free from foreign rule. What they wanted was another David or Judas Maccabee to rise up and free them this time from the Romans. That is why there were so many rising up and proclaiming themselves messiah, and trying to take back Israel by force.

“…And it was winter.” This is a strange thing to add to the end of verse 22 because the feast of the dedication is always in the winter. It is like saying it was Passover and it was Spring. Thus we know that it is there is for a reason. In Matthew 23:20 and Mark 13:18, the two chapters where He explains His return, Jesus tells us to pray our flight is not in the winter.  Why? because He is not going to come in the winter. Therefore, by giving us “…and it was winter,” we are being told that it isn’t the time for Him to take up the sword. That this isn’t the advent where He comes with a rod of iron to slay the wicked also that He wouldn’t be coming during this festival.

John 10:23 And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon’s porch.

Again a location. Solomon’s porch is on the East side of the temple, and historically was the place where the king would pass judgement. This is also where the Levites lived, and the doctors of the law heard and answered questions.

John 10:24 Then came the Jews round about him, and said unto him, How long dost thou make us to doubt? If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly.

Here we have Christ standing in the place where kings of old passed judgement during the festival the Jews looked for a messiah, with them demanding of Him to state if He is the messiah. Thus the King of kings and Lord of lords tells them and passes judgement:

John 10:25 Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father’s name, they bear witness of me. (26) But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you. (27) My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: (28) And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. (29) My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.

Once you acknowledge who the Shepherd is and follow Him, nobody can take your salvation. That doesn’t mean you might not turn from Him and start to follow other shepherds, but there will be severe consequences.

John 10:30 I and my Father are one.

If you have seen the Son you have seen the Father.

John 10:31 Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him.

Imagine that, they ask Him if He is the messiah, He answers, so they want to stone Him.

John 10:32 Jesus answered them, Many good works have I shewed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me?

I love this question.

John 10:33 The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God.

Hey they have at point, at least at first glace: Numbers 23:19 God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?

Non-Christians have made a lot of traction with this verse. A lot of Christians see this verse and either want to ignore it’s existence or start to lose faith. What does it say? It says God doesn’t have to lie like man does, and it says that He isn’t the son of man, that He should repent. Jesus is sinless and therefore doesn’t have to repent.

John 10:34 Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods?

It does. Let’s pull it up:

Psalms 82:1 A Psalm of Asaph. God standeth in the congregation of the mighty; he judgeth among the gods.

And who was just passing judgement?

Psalms 82:2 (How long will ye judge unjustly, and accept the persons of the wicked? Selah. (3) Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy. (4) Deliver the poor and needy: rid them out of the hand of the wicked. (5) They know not, neither will they understand; they walk on in darkness: all the foundations of the earth are out of course.

Christ just finished telling them they are not His sheep and they do not understand.

Psalms 82:6 I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High. (7) But ye shall die like men, and fall like one of the princes. (8) Arise, O God, judge the earth: for thou shalt inherit all nations.

Ok back to John

John 10:35 If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken;

Remember in Matthew 5 He says He is not changing one jot or tittle to the law.

John 10:36 Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God? (37) If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not.

Actions speak louder than words. When Jannes and Jambres stood against Moses and turned their rods to snakes. The rod of Moses ate them up telling us that God does not mess around. Meaning that even if Jesus had pulled off some “miraculous” healing or was able to rile the people up with some fancy words God would have taken care of him. Just look at Simon the magician in the New Testament.

John 10:38 But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him.

Even if they didn’t understand what Christ was saying they should’ve known that His works were from God. His sheep know. They did then and they do now. It is the so-called wise men that always stumble.
John 10:39 Therefore they sought again to take him: but he escaped out of their hand,

Because it wasn’t time yet.

John 10:40 And went away again beyond Jordan into the place where John at first baptized; and there he abode.

The Jordan marks the edge of the promised land so essentially He left Israel.

John 10:41 And many resorted unto him, and said, John did no miracle: but all things that John spake of this man were true. (42) And many believed on him there.

Wherever He goes, His sheep will follow. John the baptist was the voice crying out in the wilderness. His job was the make the path straight to the Lord. He certainly did his job. Is it no wonder Jesus said there was none greater that was born of woman.

God Bless you all, until next time.

Topic Discussions

Are You Truly Repentant?

Repenting is to feel bad for what you have done and ask forgiveness. Once you sincerely repent, it means that you try your best to stay away from that sin, not that you might not fall short sometimes, but every time you do, you feel bad about it and repent and ask forgiveness. True, sincere repentance through Jesus Christ is necessary for salvation.

If someone’s life is based around a particular sin, with no changes being made to correct it, it is hard to say that that person is truly repentant or sincere. If someone is happy about that sin, and brags about it or celebrates it, it is also hard to say that person is truly repentant. That would mean they are celebrating making God angry and disobeying Him. Not smart, especially for a Christian.

You can’t really support and celebrate something that is against God and be a Christian–that is being two-faced. God knows how you feel about it; you can’t hide it. Do you support God? Or do you support whatever makes you happy?

*[[Gal 1:9-10/KJV]]*
(9) As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.
(10) For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.

Please strongly consider whether you are truly doing the things that demonstrate you are a Christian, or whether the things you are doing and the way you live show that you put the world and your desires first. Everyone falls short, and everyone can be forgiven, but not everyone cares enough to truly repent, even within the body of professed Christians.

God Bless

Topic Discussions

The Ignorance of Modern Science

Rom 1:16-23
(16) For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
(17) For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
(18) For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
(19) Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.
(20) For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
(21) Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
(22) Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,
(23) And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.

There is no science that can disprove what is written by God in the Bible. The problem is that there are so many assumptions made by people of what the Bible says, because they really don’t understand what is written or care to take the time to read and study.

Another problem is that many so-called scientists, so-called intellectual people, don’t have a very good grasp on science either, and don’t realize that there are a couple theories in a vast sea of good science that actually contradict the laws of good science. And this lack of understanding of science comes not only from laymen, but also from those who are regarded as heroes in the world of science, the scientists themselves.

The science from these frauds does not stand up to actual, real scientific scrutiny, and they go unchallenged because of lack of understanding of the general population, and lack of intelligence of the so-called intellectuals. Also because of a desire to disprove anything related to God, these people will grasp onto anything, no matter how futile and juvenile, in order to feel like they can still have total control over the universe, as well as to assuage their own feelings of inadequacy because of their lack of ability to truly understand everything about everything, while this actually shows that they either are desperate and are afraid to challenge the theories to which they cling, or that they have very little actual intelligence of which to speak.

In fact, true scientists should be comforted to realize that, in the universe, there is unlimited knowledge to pursue and that only one being can have all of this knowledge completely, and that is God our Father. Couple that with the fact that through Jesus, anyone, including them, cannot be limited to a finite lifespan, with which they would otherwise have to attain this knowledge, but would instead have an eternity to scientifically increase their knowledge and understanding forever, infinitely. All they need to do is to first humble themselves.

If people actually put real effort into understanding what God has written for us, through dozens and dozens of different men over many centuries, which miraculously never contradicts itself (even though these men did not truly understand what they wrote on the deepest levels when they put pen to scroll, and no one has really understood until recent years), which deeper and deeper understanding is given on a daily basis, they would find that every mystery has already been explained to us, and that it parallels all true science, without fail. As time goes on, we see that modern science is catching up to the Bible, but there’s still a long way to go and it will take many serious intellects to get science to where it needs to be. Of course it is up to us to get further detail in this science, but that detail also never contradicts the Word of God.

The whole problem, of which we have been warned for thousands of years, is that people don’t care to study what was written for us, and then the following generations get away from God’s Word, and so those people believe the assumptions as to what was written in the Bible, made by people that really don’t have a clue, and then those assumptions are believed to be what is actually written in the Bible. The only way to break this trend is to read it for yourself and realize that this problem comes only from ignorance on all sides.

Are you going to take the chance that what you know as reality has been false–and then actually try to understand what has been laid in front of us, or will you continue to go on ignorant as so many generations have?

God Bless

*There will be a series of articles to follow this exploring the relationship between God and science.

John

He is the Good Shepherd John 10: 1-21

In Chapter 9 Jesus performed His 6th sign, the healing of the blind man, the purpose of which was given to us in verses 3-5. These verses, summed up, tell us that the man was born blind so that Jesus would heal him, and so that “the works of God should be made manifest in him.”

Then verses 8-38 give us the reaction to this sign, which we covered in the last post. The chapter ends with Jesus telling the Pharisees that He has come into the world for judgment. This brings us to chapter 10, which, even though our Bibles shows as a new chapter, is really a continuation of the sixth sign, or more specifically the significance of the sign. So when reading this, if you want to understand this at the deepest levels, you will have to keep the healing of the blind man in mind.

John 10:1-6 Verily, verily (truly, truly), I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. (2) But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. (3) To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. (4) And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. (5) And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers. (6) This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them.

Are you one of His sheep? Can you understand what He is saying here? The pharisees didn’t. Make sure you take the time to listen and understand because He is going to explain it:

John 10:7 Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.

He is the only way into the fold. The wall that protects the sheep is our Father, and He has given us the gate, which is His Son.

John 10:8 All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them.

Christ uses the sheep here because sheep will not follow someone who isn’t their shepherd. Even if he is the shepherd of another flock they will not heed to his voice. God’s children know His voice and wont follow after strangers. They have spent time with Him and know Him. They know His ways and know in their gut when something isn’t from Him or is contrary to Him. The world today comes at us and tries to train us that what is wrong is right and that we have to accept their ways. At the heart it is the beast system, Satan’s system calling out to God’s flock and trying to pull them away: trying to get them used to his voice, and trying to get them to forget the voice of their Father. Remember what Christ said: Matthew 24:4-5 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. (5) For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.

John 10:9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.

Psalms 23:1-6 A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. (2) He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. (3) He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. (4) Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. (5) Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. (6) Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

If you enter into His house through the door, you are His sheep and His son, a child of the Living God.

John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

Do not let the thief entice you. When you see him or hear him, call to the Shepherd and He will come.

John 10:11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.

Just as David fought lions and bears to protect his sheep, Christ gave His life for us, His sheep.

John 10:12 But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. (13) The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.

There are many in the church today who are simply interested in a paycheck. Sure they will sound nice and they will tickle your ears with a 15 minute sermon on Sunday, but as soon as the wolf comes they will disappear. I’m not talking about good pastors because they do exist, but it is your job as the sheep to know the voice of your Father. If the hireling you have running your organization isn’t using the words of the Father, but instead is using his own words, and if he isn’t feeding the flock  then you need to either send him/her packing, or find someone that will feed you and will use the words of your Father.

John 10:14 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.

Because His sheep know when He is speaking to them.

John 10:15 As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.

Christ died so that you can live. He is that gate. His blood is the way into the fold.

John 10:16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.

Here He is talking about the Gentiles.

Romans 10:11-13 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. (12) For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. (13) For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

There is only one flock. You have either gone through the gate or you haven’t. You are either attached to the vine or you’re not and God doesn’t care who your father is or the color of your skin. If you walk through the gate, you are His.

John 10:17 Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.

He rose from the death ladies and gentlemen. He accomplished it.

Isaiah 25:7-9 And he will destroy in this mountain the face of the covering cast over all people, and the vail that is spread over all nations. (8) He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the LORD hath spoken it. (9) And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is the LORD; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation.

The veil was rent: Matthew 27:51 And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;

No longer do we need that porter He spoke of in verse 3. Through the Son we have a direct line to the Father.

John 10:18 No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.

They did not have the power to take anything from Him. Before the time was ready He slipped away from them time and again. What did He tell Peter when he tried to stop them from taking Jesus in the night? Matthew 26:53 Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?

John 10:19 There was a division therefore again among the Jews for these sayings. (20) And many of them said, He hath a devil, and is mad; why hear ye him?

There will always be scoffers. No matter what you do, or how great a work you perform, someone will have a problem with it. Remember, Jesus just healed a man of blindness. He just took the veil that was over his eyes and cast it aside, and yet there are some that will call Him a devil. The same thing happened to Peter in Acts chapter 2, on Pentecost Day, when the Holy Spirit poured out from them, and everyone heard the words of God in their own tongue.

John 10:21 Others said, These are not the words of him that hath a devil. Can a devil open the eyes of the blind?

Thieves and robbers cannot open the eyes of the blind. They can only try and convince the blind man that he can see, or that seeing isn’t possible, or that blindness is a blessing. And I am not talking about those that are physically blind. I am talking about spiritual blindness. Christ said to pray for your daily bread. Seek Him out continually. If you cannot hear His voice, then you have wandered too far off and you need to cry out to Him. He will hear the bleating of His sheep and come for you. If you call to Him He will carry you home. Pray for understanding and He will give it.

In the News

CNN Reports Millennials are leaving the Church

2 Thessalonians 2:1-3 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, (2) That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. (3) Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;

 

Millennials leaving church in droves, study says – CNN.com

Reference Notes

Melchizedek

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Melchizedek is what God the Son is called when He is here, not in the flesh as Jesus Christ, but in a physical spiritual form. In Hebrew, Melchizedek means King of Righteousness.

God the Son has always existed as part of the Godhead (Trinity) (Isa 9:6, Joh 1:1-2) and is the part of the Godhead that is the creative force of our universe (Joh, 1:3, 10, Eph 3:9-12). Also, this is the part of God that interacts with us on a level we are able to understand while we are under the restrictions of the flesh body and mind.

We see Melchizedek throughout the Old Testament whenever God is in a human-like, physical form (Gen 32:24-29, Eze 1, Dan 3:23-25, etc), and we see Him by the name Melchizedek when He is interacting with Abraham in Genesis 14:18-20, where He is called Melchizedek, King of Salem (or King of Righteousness, King of Peace, Heb 7:2). Abraham knew who Melchizedek was, which is why he even brought Him his tithes (Gen 14:20, Heb 7:2). In this chapter, He is in fact even called priest of the Most High God (Gen 14:18, Heb 7:1), a foreshadowing of the fact that Jesus Christ was made our High Priest of God (Psa 110:4-7, Heb 5:6-11, 6:20, 7:17, 21, 8:1-2, 9:11-12).

In Hebrews 7 we are given much more detail on the identity of Melchizedek as the Son of God. In that chapter we are told that He had no mother or father (remember this is God the Son before He came as Jesus Christ in the flesh) and had no children, was not born and did not die, and was made as the Son of God, meaning He had the characteristics of the Son of God (because He was the Son of God).

He was the first to receive tithes (Gen 14:20, Heb 7:4-8), and after His example all the Levite priests would take tithes as well. They would follow this model because He is the model God set for His office of priesthood (Heb 7:5-11). Likewise, we are told that when the Son of God came to us in the flesh as Jesus, His role as High Priest was modeled after Melchizedek (Psa 110:4-7, Heb 5:6-11, 6:20, 7:17, 21, 8:1-2, 9:11-12).

Don’t read over the fact that the entire Godhead has always been with us in one form or another, as each of these parts of God is vital to make up God in His entirety. This is the nature of God.

 

John

The Jews Require a Sign: Do You? John 9

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This ninth chapter of John reads really fast. There are a few deeper meanings in it and I will try and bring them out as we go through it, but I would like to cover this whole chapter in one go, so I’ll do my best to keep my input short.

John 9:1 And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth.

This whole chapter is really about sight and having eyes to see and ears to hear. Here Jesus sees, and naturally the blind man doesn’t. We are told that he was blind from birth not only so that we understand that it wasn’t some trick, but also so that we understand he never had eyes to see the deeper truth.

John 9:2 And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?

This was the common belief at this time, that if someone was sick it was because someone sinned.

John 9:3 Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.

Don’t read over this- this man was born blind so that works of God should be made manifest in him. That is to say, so that the works of God are made apparent, or made known. He was actually blind for this purpose.

John 9:4 I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work. (9:5) As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.

We have seen Jesus talk about the light and night before. The day represents the presence of the truth of God, and the night is the obscurity of that truth, especially in the tribulation. This is a topic in and of itself, so for now let’s just press on.

John 9:6 When he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and he anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay, (9:7) And said unto him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam, (which is by interpretation, Sent.) He went his way therefore, and washed, and came seeing.

This is the 6th sign in the book of John. 6 being the number of man and man being made of dirt or clay. I haven’t brought out the signs, as I perhaps should have, so we may do a post covering all eight when we are finished with this book. For now let’s look at the elements involved because a lot is being said here.

The breath of God is what took a mound of dirt and turned it into a living, breathing Adam. That man and his descendants didn’t have eyes to see or ears to hear as they should. Some did of course, Enoch, Noah etc., but as a whole they couldn’t see the spiritual. In the garden, Satan promised that if they partook of the fruit their eyes would be opened, but it opened them to the ways of this world and closed them to the ways of God. Now we see what happens when we partake of the Tree of Life and the Living Water is added.

John 9:8 The neighbours therefore, and they which before had seen him that he was blind, said, Is not this he that sat and begged? (9:9) Some said, This is he: others said, He is like him: but he said, I am he.

Have you ever seen a beggar cleaned up? Hard to recognize.

John 9:10 Therefore said they unto him, How were thine eyes opened? (9:11) He answered and said, A man that is called Jesus made clay, and anointed mine eyes, and said unto me, Go to the pool of Siloam, and wash: and I went and washed, and I received sight. (9:12) Then said they unto him, Where is he? He said, I know not.

Notice that in order for him to receive his sight he had to follow directions. It wasn’t just magic. So many forget to follow the directions, then wonder why they are not blessed.

John 9:13 They brought to the Pharisees him that aforetime was blind. (9:14) And it was the sabbath day when Jesus made the clay, and opened his eyes.

We already know the pharisees are going to get their panties in a bunch over this, but stop and think about this for a moment. Jesus is Lord of the sabbath, and Colossians chapter 2 tells us “the handwriting of ordinances” was nailed to the cross, meaning we are to sabbath in Him. Sabbath only means rest, and we do that in Him EVERYDAY or at least we should. If you are tired and your soul is weary try it sometime. Thus if we receive our sight by partaking of the Living Water, who is the Sabbath? How on earth could Jesus have healed him on any other day?

John 9:15 Then again the Pharisees also asked him how he had received his sight. He said unto them, He put clay upon mine eyes, and I washed, and do see. (9:16) Therefore said some of the Pharisees, This man is not of God, because he keepeth not the sabbath day. Others said, How can a man that is a sinner do such miracles? And there was a division among them.

How could a sinner do it, indeed.What did Christ say in Luke?

Luke 12:51-53 Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division: (52) For from henceforth there shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three. (53) The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother in law against her daughter in law, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.

John 9:17 They say unto the blind man again, What sayest thou of him, that he hath opened thine eyes? He said, He is a prophet.

“What do you have to say about this man?” Can you picture that? This man is ecstatic because he can see. He is excited and wants to tell the world and the first thing they want to know is what does he think about him. What would you think about Him? He just opened your eyes! And I tell you that once Immanuel, God with us, opens your eyes, you want to tell the world.

He says He is a prophet. Now from the Greek this means largely what we think of when we think of prophet, which is to say someone that foretells the future and certainly it does mean that and Jesus certainly was that, but from the Hebrew if you called a man a prophet you are saying he is an inspired man, a man inspired by God.

John 9:18 But the Jews did not believe concerning him, that he had been blind, and received his sight, until they called the parents of him that had received his sight.

Of course they don’t believe.

John 9:19 And they asked them, saying, Is this your son, who ye say was born blind? how then doth he now see?

Why are they asking his parents? The guy already told them the story. You would think that would mean it’s all peas and carrots, right? But it isn’t, and people today are no different. If you tell them something miraculous they wont believe. Instead they will go and check your credibility, which is why it is important to protect it.

John 9:20 His parents answered them and said, We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind: (9:21) But by what means he now seeth, we know not; or who hath opened his eyes, we know not: he is of age; ask him: he shall speak for himself. (9:22) These words spake his parents, because they feared the Jews: for the Jews had agreed already, that if any man did confess that he was Christ, he should be put out of the synagogue. (9:23) Therefore said his parents, He is of age; ask him.

You can take these verses a couple of different ways, but I am sure you can picture this scene. I’d find it hard to leave my child to these wolves no matter what his age though I can understand that, for them, to be put out of the synagogue meant not only to lose their salvation, but it meant to be shunned by the whole society.

John 9:24 Then again called they the man that was blind, and said unto him, Give God the praise: we know that this man is a sinner. (9:25) He answered and said, Whether he be a sinner or no, I know not: one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see.

Can you see the difference in the level of thinking? The pharisees say Jesus must be a sinner, or this blind man is a liar. When they find out he isn’t a liar they say well Jesus must be a sinner, but gives glory to God. We need to watch this level of thinking because it can be easy to fall into. Certainly we need to give God the glory for everything, but don’t forget the way the blind man reacted to this situation.

John 9:26 Then said they to him again, What did he to thee? how opened he thine eyes?

Never focus on the how. I know it is easy to do, but we need to focus on the why. Why did Jesus heal this man?

John 9:27 He answered them, I have told you already, and ye did not hear: wherefore would ye hear it again? will ye also be his disciples?

Doesn’t sound like a bad plan to me.

John 9:28 Then they reviled him, and said, Thou art his disciple; but we are Moses’ disciples. (9:29) We know that God spake unto Moses: as for this fellow, we know not from whence he is.

Again this goes back to John 8. They don’t understand Jesus. Now let’s hear the blind man’s response because here is some common sense.

John 9:30 The man answered and said unto them, Why herein is a marvellous thing, that ye know not from whence he is, and yet he hath opened mine eyes.

You don’t know where he came from, but he opened my eyes.

John 9:31 Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth. (9:32) Since the world began was it not heard that any man opened the eyes of one that was born blind. (9:33) If this man were not of God, he could do nothing.

It’s funny how the gurus cannot reason out the ABCs isn’t it?

John 9:34 They answered and said unto him, Thou wast altogether born in sins, and dost thou teach us? And they cast him out.

Pride: that is all this is when you get down to it. They are supposed to be the ones that God works through, but instead it is coming from a peasant from Galilee and a blind man.

John 9:35 Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when he had found him, he said unto him, Dost thou believe on the Son of God? (9:36) He answered and said, Who is he, Lord, that I might believe on him? (9:37) And Jesus said unto him, Thou hast both seen him, and it is he that talketh with thee. (9:38) And he said, Lord, I believe. And he worshipped him.

It comes down to personal choice guys.

John 9:39 And Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind.

This is the crux of the matter. Jesus came to give us eyes to see and ears to hear, but he also made it so that some will be made blind.

Romans 11:7-8 What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded (8) (According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day.

John 9:40 And some of the Pharisees which were with him heard these words, and said unto him, Are we blind also? (9:41) Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth.

Blindness to the truth lends you protection from sin, however if you proclaim that you have the truth and teach others your sin will remain. This is why Jesus tells us over and over again to pray for guidance and understanding. Never assume you understand it all.

It comes down to faith. The blind man had faith enough to follow Jesus’ instructions even if he didn’t know what what to expect. The same goes for us: if we follow the Word of God in faith, He will give us eyes to see and ears to hear.

I hope this didn’t run too long for you, but at the same time I hope we didn’t cover it too quickly. If you find anything you would like us to discuss further just comment below or contact us with your question otherwise we will see you in chapter 10 of this great book.