ERCC DEVOTIONAL (TEKAN) DAILY SPIRITUAL DIET THURDAY 30TH NOVEMBER, 2023
TEXT: JOHN 9: 24 - 34
SPIRITUAL FOCUS: THE BOLDNESS OF THE BLIND MAN WHO JESUS OPENED HIS EYES.
We have already heard that the Pharisees, enemies of Jesus, searched for the man whom Jesus had opened his eyes. Other than that, they looked for ways to deny the good work that Jesus did.
In today's study, the Jewish leaders continue to accuse this man who was blind but now can see. They tried to get the man to deny Jesus' authority. Their main concern is that Jesus should not have been able to perform this miraculous healing.
So today they tell the man again that Jesus is a sinner (v. 24). What they did not want to hear was the answer the man gave them, "One thing I do know: I was blind, and now I see" (v. 25). He showed them that Jesus had been kind to them, while the Pharisees were arguing about this.
Even today we have such people, who are unrighteous, who are arguing against the good works of the Lord. The testimony of the man assures them, in spite of their lack of divine power they cannot overcome him.
He stood up for his truth and preached to them. They should know that only God can open their eyes because He hears the cries of sinners. Whoever worships God with a sincere heart, God will listen to him (v. 31). The Pharisees listened to the erstwhile blind man's words,
"Since the world began was it heard that any man opened the eyes of one that was born blind" (v. 32).
FOOD FOR THOUGHT: Testify of Jesus in speech.
PRAYER: Lord God, I beseech You, help me always to stand on the truth of Your Word in the name of Christ Jesus, Amen.
John:9.24
A second time they summoned the man who had been blind. "Give glory to God," they said. "We know this man is a sinner."
John:9.25
He replied, "Whether he is a sinner or not, I don't know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!"
John:9.26
Then they asked him, "What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?"
John:9.27
He answered, "I have told you already and you did not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you want to become his disciples, too?"
John:9.28
Then they hurled insults at him and said, "You are this fellow's disciple! We are disciples of Moses!
John:9.29
We know that God spoke to Moses, but as for this fellow, we don't even know where he comes from."
John:9.30
The man answered, "Now that is remarkable! You don't know where he comes from, yet he opened my eyes.
John:9.31
We know that God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the godly man who does his will.
John:9.32
Nobody has ever heard of opening the eyes of a man born blind.
John:9.33
If this man were not from God, he could do nothing."
John:9.34
To this they replied, "You were steeped in sin at birth; how dare you lecture us!" And they threw him out.
