August 9th

August 9^th – John 9 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%209&version=NLT)

 

It’s a long passage, so please go and give it a read over or two!

So the Pharisees actually kicked out the blind man from the Synagogue because he claimed Jesus must be from God, because he healed the blind man and made it so he could see. It seems sort of ridiculous, right? Well, it was. The Pharisees were even divided over Jesus. Some called him a sinner because he performed miracles on the Sabbath. Others, still, thought he must be from God because otherwise he would not be able to perform the miracles. However, none would call them self a follower of him. They said they were followers/disciples of Moses. Jesus points out later though that he has come to show some that they are blind although they think they see and give sight to those who are blind. However, this blindness is not meant as a literal blindness but a metaphorical blindness representing a spiritual blindness. Jesus says the Pharisees think they can “see” and tell all that they can, however, he says they are guilty because they are only claiming they can but truly they cannot. It’s an interesting thought – the religious leaders were truly blind spiritually. They were like this because they were too literal and legalistic about their faith. They refused to follow after Jesus, who is whom God sent for us to follow. God sent him to be an example that we could follow, so we need to be following him. Don’t get caught up in the legalism like the Pharisees – focus on following more closely the lifestyle of Jesus.

That’s all for today! God bless! Shalom!