“He answered and said, ‘Whether He be a sinner or not, I know not; one thing I know: That, whereas I was blind, now I see’.”
John 9:25
The Holy Spirit doesn’t delight in debates or arguments; He delights in “anointed announcements.”
Oh how easily we get sidetracked in our Mission by “foolish and unlearned questions that engender strife” (II Tim. 2:23)! That’s what the Pharisees were trying to do that day in their sinful subterfuge as they sought a way to discredit Christ (vv.10-24). Even though they said “Give God the glory” (v.24a), their praise was a pretext that cloaked the devious darkness that lurked within their hearts (vv.16, 22, 24b).
But, thankfully the once-blind man didn’t fall into their pit of pretense; instead, he used it as a platform of praise—even turning the tables on them with his spiritual spunk and getting himself thrown out of the Temple (vv.27-34)! Hallelujah! May his tribe increase!!
Yes, dear Pilgrim, it’s easy for others to start changing the subject when the Holy Spirit is convicting them of “sin, the need of righteousness and Judgment to come” (Jn. 16:8-11). But, like Jesus in His conversation with the sinful Samaritan woman. . .who quickly changed the subject from her marital status to the proper place of worship (Jn. 4:16-20). . .we must meet folks where they are, always know what they need and soon redirect the conversation back to its original destination: The Father’s feet (Jn. 4:21-24).
Quite often this will not be easy—for the devil’s devices are many.
And, the “strongholds” of the flesh are quite strong (I Jn. 2:16).
However, “greater is He Who’s within us” (I Jn. 4:4) and a persistent testimony of Christ’s redeeming Love is a powerful one the Holy Spirit can use to melt even the hardest heart of stone (Acts 1:8; I Jn. 2:2). Glory!
The man born blind in today’s Manna didn’t know much about Who’d healed him. He knew His Name was Jesus (v.11) and he knew this Stranger from Galilee had “spit on the ground, made small clay patties and put them on his eyes and told him to go wash them in the pool of Siloam” (vv.6-7, 11). And, in so doing “he received his sight” (vv.7, 11).
That’s why he wasn’t easily dissuaded by the pretentious Pharisees or fearful of the repercussions of his bold testimony. He knew God had done “a marvelous thing in his life and hears the cry of those who worship Him and do His Will” (v.31). And, again, he didn’t shrink back from praising the One Who gave him sight, even though he’d be expelled from the Temple.
How wonderful to read that Jesus came looking for him after his mistreatment and further revealed Himself to this one whom He’d healed (vv.35-37). And, how wonderful to see this further “fleshing out of his faith” led him to cry “Lord I believe” and engage in heartfelt worship (v.38). May the Holy Spirit help us today to be just as demonstrative in our praise—for a lost and dying world desperately needs to know that Jesus is alive. In fact, their eternal destiny depends upon it.
May 31, 2011
