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by Sandy Shaw
We were reading of that blind man being healed by Jesus Christ in John Chapter 9. We listened to the disciples asking questions and almost being satisfied with debate and discussion. Jesus acted. He made that clay ointment and anointed the man’s eyes and then invited him to obedient co-operation.
These nosey neighbours appeared wanting to know the various details – Who and How and Where?
Then we met the Pharisees who were so blind, and also so very deaf. They could not see what God was doing nor could they hear what God was saying. Their minds were completely closed to Jesus Christ.
They would not accept the testimony of the man who had been healed by Jesus.
The parents, when called, were cautious in the extreme, because they knew what could happen to them if they acknowledged who Jesus Christ was.
The Pharisees recognise that something has happened and they tell the man who had been blind to give all the praise to God. With reference to Jesus they say, “We know this man is a sinner!”
If you want an example of an error in the Bible, there it is, but we have to take it in the context. There are various wrong sayings in the Bible but we must always note as to whose mouths they emerge and in what spirit. This is most notable in the life of King Saul. We have to be very careful regarding certain statements in the Word of God.
These religious leaders did not want Jesus regarded as a prophet, and they did not want Jesus to be regarded as a man of God.
All the man whose eyes have been opened wants to say is, “I don’t know what you want to call him or what label he should have, but this I do know, once I was blind but now I see”. What a testimony. Nobody could argue against the facts but who was behind that act!
Something has happened to me. I have had an experience, and it is real. I may not be able to express it clearly to you men, but I can see.
This man has lost all fear. He is so bold and courageous, and that happens when Jesus Christ meets you and touches you and ministers to you. That happens when Jesus makes you that little bit more whole.
When Jesus really touches you, you can lose all fear of people, and what they may think of you, and you are now more prepared to share and speak of what Jesus Christ has done for you.
When Jesus touches you, He touches areas that need to be healed and touched and soothed and strengthened.
In this moving passage which in a way is so emotional we have a record of the facts. Amidst all that has happened – the healing – the conversations – the religious anger – the hurting insults – the man who was blind keeps to the facts – and his testimony is up to date – I was blind but now I see.
It is what happening now that is so important in our lives.
What happened all these years ago remains relevant and important but what is God saying and doing in you and with you and through you, in these present days?
That is what we have to ask ourselves at times. Are we continuing to flow with the Spirit of God and are we continuing to follow the pillar of fire?
Alexander 'Sandy' Shaw is pastor of Nairn Christian Fellowship in Nairn, Scotland. Nairn is 17 miles east of Inverness - on the Moray Firth Coast - not far from the Loch Ness Monster!
Gifted as a Biblical teacher, Sandy is firmly committed to making sure that his teachings are firmly grounded in the Word.
Sandy has a weekly radio talk which can be heard via the Internet on Saturday at 11:40am, New Orleans time, at wsho.com.
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