The Pharisees were getting perturbed about this Jesus guy who kept claiming to be God. Now, he has done a miraculous healing of a blind man and it has the town talking. They weren't exactly sure how to deal with this but they were hostile and unsettled toward not only Jesus, but also toward the blind man who was claiming to be fully healed.
The Pharisees brought the blind man in for questioning, still trying to corner Jesus. They must have figured they had Jesus backed in a corner because this healing took place on a sabbath. Yet the only testimony this blind man gave was basically, "...all I know is I was blind and now I see."
Josh Nunez began the service today with a song that contained the lyrics, "This is my testimony, from death to life. Because grace rewrote my story." I (Jan Hassler) used to be friends with a singer/songwriter in Houston who had a wonderful song that expressed, "I did not know the blind man or watch Moses part the sea, but I am a first hand witness to the miracles He performed in me." I Peter 3:15 tells us to "be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have...." The recently healed blind man had his answer down to the bare bones: "I was blind and now I see."
How has Jesus and His grace rewritten your story? How is He continuing to rewrite it? Your story IS NOT yet over. It is still being written. Are you prepared to tell others about what Jesus has done for you? Today's teaching is a strong word for our "there is no absolute truth" and "whatever is right for you is right" culture. There is only ONE gate and ONE good shepherd. It is Jesus.
Jesus is either who he says he is, or he is a lunatic or a liar. What will YOU do with the story God has written - and is continuing to write - in your life?
INVITATION: Today we continue with the "I am" statements of Jesus. So far we have examined "I am that I am" and "I am the light of the world." This week we break down Jesus' claims to be the gate and the good shepherd . As you consider all that Jesus has done for you and IS doing for you, how can you be a good steward of that this week?
MONDAY: John 9:1-16: These verses seem to paint a very chaotic scene. The Pharisees were not sure how to handle this situation, but knew they were tired of Jesus' claims to be God. I can only imagine how people must have been confused about what voice to believe and listen to in all this confusion. It sounds a lot like our culture - especially in this day and age of social media and "fake news." Whose voice are you focusing on and listening to? Who do you believe - and why? What do you use as a compass to guide you amidst all the chaos of our culture? Could there be a new invitation for you from God regarding more focused listening and perhaps even setting boundaries around the "other" voices in your life? John 10:27 says, "My sheep know my voice." How are you cultivating the spiritual practice of discerning and knowing the voice of God in your life?
TUESDAY: John 9:34-41: The leaders seem to have no idea how to handle this situation so they throw the blind man out of the synagogue. Today you are invited to fill a bowl with water. As you sit in a comfortable position focus your attention on Jesus. Ask him to cover you and fill you with healing light. Ask him to show you some part of your life to which you may be blind. Perhaps it is a responsibility you don't see or an attitude that blinds you to the truth of a situation. Be open and honest. As Pastor Adam pointed out, "pride can blind us." We ALL have pride in our lives. Now, wash your eyes with the water, praying that you may see with the eyes of Jesus. Ask for HIS sight and HIS light. Ask Jesus to empower you to take whatever action your renewed spiritual sight requires.
WEDNESDAY: John 10:1-6: Israel was an agricultural society and the people listening to Jesus would have immediately understood his metaphor. But most of us have not grown up on a ranch or farm. So, for purposes of clarity:
Pen = The Kingdom of God
Sheep = You and I
Gate = Jesus
Good Shepherd = Jesus
At night, the sheep were put in a pen for safety. There was only one way in and one way out, and the gate was made to be the exact size of the shepherd. The shepherd would stay outside of the gate all night long to ensure the safety and protection of the sheep. These verses beautifully depict the protection and love and care of the sheep by the shepherd. Psalm 23 is also famous for beautiful depictions of sheep and the shepherd: "The Lord is my shepherd I shall not want." (Psalm 23). Sometimes we have not because we ask not (James 4:2-3). Is there something you might be open and honest about with Jesus today regarding the true desire of your heart? Maybe what type of protection you feel you need? Is there something or someone lurking outside the gate? How might you take that into prayer?
THURSDAY: John 10:7-10: Jesus is our gate. "All who ever came before me were thieves and robbers...I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved...and find pasture." As mentioned above, in today's culture any exclusive comment like this isn't popular. Jesus is the true gate. Adam suggested such a statement is probably more volatile in today's culture than it would have been at the time Jesus originally said it. Our current cultural mindset could have taken root shortly after World War II when the central concept of human psychology became meaning, and the task of every individual was to "make your own meaning" (Jerome Bruener). In a "make your own meaning" culture, there is no absolute truth or exclusive gates and gatekeepers. How do you feel about the exclusiveness of this claim of Jesus? Do you take Jesus at his word, or do you think he might be a lunatic or a liar? How can you take all that into prayer today? Be honest. Jesus knows your heart anyway.
FRIDAY: John 10:11-18: A hired hand has no investment in or relationship with the sheep. The "good shepherd" has only the sheep and their well being in mind. It is his livelihood. A huge investment. A future. He would lay down his life for the lives of his sheep.
Pastor Adam spoke about how we can sometimes allow other "gates" to be our focus:
The gate of the law--but we can never become "good enough."
The gate of moralism--but we can never be without sin or have good enough behavior.
The gate of materialism--but we can never accumulate enough of the right stuff.
The "Jesus gate" is the only one that saves and leads to green pastures. The other gates may look shiny and appealing, but are only what scripture sometimes calls "angels of light." Satan often uses "good" things to entice us. This is why spiritual discernment and knowing the voice of your shepherd is so important. Are you focused on the wrong gate in your life? Are you buying into the cultural norm of "everyone has their own gate....pick whichever one works for you?" Are you trying to "make your own meaning" in life exclusive of Jesus Christ? Could satan be trying to "steal, kill and destroy" you by offering you seemingly harmless "gates" and "pastures?"
SATURDAY: I Peter 3:15: Spend some time today praying through and writing out what you would say as you become "prepared to give an answer" if someone asks you what Jesus has done, and is doing in you. Remember, less is more (like the blind man giving testimony to the Pharisees): "I once was blind but now I see." What would you say if questioned of the reason for your hope? Have you ever thought about having a "go to" statement of faith and explanation of your journey to share with others if ever asked?
I asked my husband (Al) this question. His response might be an example to help you get started: "I was wealthy, had status as an attorney, had a great business, and everything else the world said would make me happy. But I felt empty and knew there had to be more to life. I reluctantly decided that Jesus was the truth and began living by his principles. And I finally felt peace and joy and fulfillment. So I knew He truly was the 'way, the TRUTH and the life' that I had always been looking for."