John 9
A Word on What Really Matters.
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John chapter 9 is a great chapter of the Bible.
Jesus heals a blind man on the sabbath and the local church leaders get mad about it.
They don't care about the man. They don't care about the miracle. All they care about is that some rule was broken. or at least broken in their eyes.
So instead of loving the man and praising God. They start using fear and intimidation to control the man and his family. They treat him like he is a second class citizen. Threatening him and anyone else who doesn't do what they say to do.
But, the man knows the truth. He knows that God loves him, even though the church leaders try to make him think that he is a wicked sinner deceived by the devil. They even called him a liar.
The church leaders cannot handle the thought that someone might not be scared of them, or controlled by them, or deceived by them. They cannot just leave it alone, because they cannot stand the fact that this peasant is not submitting to their authority.
So, they drive him out of the church. And probably make up stories as to why he's gone.
But, Jesus came to see the man again. And asked him if he believed on the Son of God.
That's it. Jesus didn't tell the man that he needed to submit to the authority of the abusive church leaders. He didn't quote verses about "Not forsaking the gathering". There was no guilt trips or threats or fear or manipulation, or anything else.
Jesus just said to believe on Him. That's it.
Then, he tells the church leaders that if they would admit they didn't know it all they might learn something. But, since they think they have it all figured out. They will remain blind.
Jesus heals a blind man on the sabbath and the local church leaders get mad about it.
They don't care about the man. They don't care about the miracle. All they care about is that some rule was broken. or at least broken in their eyes.
So instead of loving the man and praising God. They start using fear and intimidation to control the man and his family. They treat him like he is a second class citizen. Threatening him and anyone else who doesn't do what they say to do.
But, the man knows the truth. He knows that God loves him, even though the church leaders try to make him think that he is a wicked sinner deceived by the devil. They even called him a liar.
The church leaders cannot handle the thought that someone might not be scared of them, or controlled by them, or deceived by them. They cannot just leave it alone, because they cannot stand the fact that this peasant is not submitting to their authority.
So, they drive him out of the church. And probably make up stories as to why he's gone.
But, Jesus came to see the man again. And asked him if he believed on the Son of God.
That's it. Jesus didn't tell the man that he needed to submit to the authority of the abusive church leaders. He didn't quote verses about "Not forsaking the gathering". There was no guilt trips or threats or fear or manipulation, or anything else.
Jesus just said to believe on Him. That's it.
Then, he tells the church leaders that if they would admit they didn't know it all they might learn something. But, since they think they have it all figured out. They will remain blind.
Oftentimes people are more worried about rules, and having control. They are so filled with pride, that they reject the truth and peace that is right in front of them.
That is a consistent theme in the Gospels. Time and again Jesus, the God of all, is sitting right in front of them, and they still cling to our fleshly fears and beliefs.
Pilate, when he interrogated Christ, asks 'What is Truth?' Truth was sitting in front of him. The only truth that matters.
We cling to our fleshly beliefs and maintain worldly systems. Not knowing that God is right there. When we die, we will just step through and He is there. He sees and knows all.
He waits for us to turn to Him and ask Him to save us and teach us and grow us.
He waits for us to turn to Him and ask Him to save us and teach us and grow us.
He is right here with us.
Waiting.
Waiting.
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Bio:Chris Bunton is a writer, poet and blogger from Southern Illinois. He has published in several magazines, and has written a poetry eBook called “Against the Man” and an Addiction Recovery eBook called “Made Free: Overcoming Addiction“ His newest book is called “The Future is Coming” and is a collection of dystopian short stories.
Follow Him on Medium: https://chris-bunton.medium.com/
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