Warriors Arise: August 28, 2021
John 9:13-16 (NKJV) They brought him who formerly was blind to the Pharisees. 14 Now it was a Sabbath when Jesus made the clay and opened his eyes. 15 Then the Pharisees also asked him again how he had received his sight. He said to them, “He put clay on my eyes, and I washed, and I see.” 16 Therefore some of the Pharisees said, “This Man is not from God, because He does not keep the Sabbath.” Others said, “How can a man who is a sinner do such signs?” And there was a division among them.
My mind struggles to comprehend the Pharisees' response. I have heard this response before. It can be from people within the church, but it an also be from agnostics. What exactly are they saying? Does what they are saying really matter? If you give them a good answer, the correct answer, God's answer, would they believe?
Are they looking for an answer? How many of us go into a discussion with an open mind? We have preconceived views and, generally, are not swayed from them. The only time we are up for a discussion is if we are in search for the truth. We realize something we have heard or seen isn't lining up with our beliefs, so we go in search for the truth.
John 3:1,2, 9-17 (NKJV) There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.”...
9 Nicodemus answered and said to Him, “How can these things be?”10 Jesus answered and said to him, “Are you the teacher of Israel, and do not know these things? 11 Most assuredly, I say to you, We speak what We know and testify what We have seen, and you do not receive Our witness. 12 If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things? 13 No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man who is in heaven. 14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. 16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.
Most people are not like Nicodemus, seeking out Jesus. He came to Jesus in the night, when no one was around. Maybe he had something to hide, but maybe he just wanted a real conversation. No debate No trial. No arguments. Maybe he didn't want to be told what to think, but learn the truth. Maybe he needed to ask when there weren't people clamoring over Jesus, as He was pulled one way and then another.
Did the Pharisees really care that Jesus healed someone on the Sabbath or was it just a fault they could find to try and convince others. They said He was a sinner? When we do not want our world rocked, when we do not want to address our wrong thinking, when we don't want to admit we might be wrong, we try to find fault in someone else.
I wasn't sure if I would be able to parent 5 little ones running around, but it is an entirely different ball game when you have 3 teenagers at one time. Thankfully, my oldest is now 20 and my youngest is not yet 10! If you have had seasoned teenagers, they can argue with the best lawyer out there to plead their case. You might not get a word in once they get started. Oddly, if they had listened to the question and answered, most of the time there was no trouble to be had. But it can seem like arguing is their pass time entertainment. However, when they argue, it raises a red flag as to why they are so defensive? What are they hiding? What didn't I know that they think I know?
These Pharisees are acting like teenagers. What does it matter that the man was healed on the Sabbath? Shouldn't they be praising God because the man was healed!
This healing on the Sabbath happened in John chapter 9, Nicodemus came to Jesus back in John chapter 3. He says, they know Jesus is a teacher from God for no one could do these signs unless God is with Him. So, what has got them all worked up that they can't glorify God for the healing that was done on the Sabbath? They missed God's heart overflowing with love, motivated by compassion for His people.
What is the Sabbath for, if not to glorify God?
They weren't willing to glorify God for this healing so they had to turn the focus of the event away from God receiving glory for this man's healing to fault-finding in the man who did the healing. Are you looking to learn from God even if He doesn't do something the way you think it should be done?
Father, I ask for You to come and teach me. I want to honor You and give glory to You for all You have done. I pray I would recognize when You have done the miracle and give You glory. I ask for You to come and teach me about the Sabbath. I want to Lord over all of my life. I want to worship You and give You glory for all You do. I desire to be teachable of Your truths and live according to what You reveal through Your word in Jesus' name amen.
A Warrior in the Lord’s Army,
Veridee Joy Hand
Join together as Believers in Jesus Christ to pray and to push back the enemy as we release God’s power here on earth. If you have any questions please feel free to make a comment or private message me. If you would like this to come to your email directly please go to verideehand.com and subscribe.
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