Sunday Morning Podcast December 13, 2015. Bro. Dave Goble.
TEXT: JOHN 9:1-7 10:1-5, 9:35-41
9:1 And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth.
9:2 And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?
9:3 Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.
9:4 I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.
9:5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.
9:6 When he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and he anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay,
9:7 And said unto him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam, (which is by interpretation, Sent.) He went his way therefore, and washed, and came seeing.
10:1 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.
10:2 But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.
10:3 To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.
10:4 And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.
10:5 And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.
9;35 Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when he had found him, he said unto him, Dost thou believe on the Son of God?
9:36 He answered and said, Who is he, Lord, that I might believe on him?
9:37 And Jesus said unto him, Thou hast both seen him, and it is he that talketh with thee.
9:38 And he said, Lord, I believe. And he worshipped him.
9:39 And Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind.
9:40 And some of the Pharisees which were with him heard these words, and said unto him, Are we blind also?
9:41 Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth.
Sometimes we go through things, for no fault of our own (9:3). Sometimes God wants there to be circumstances that manifests His power, as is illustrated healing this blind man . 10:1-5 There are many lessons shown here that revolve around a “door or gate.” Jesus instructs how to spiritually get in and out of the gate, and avoid climbing over the fence some other way. In John 9:34-41, Jesus spiritually compared blindness and that of sight, with those spiritually who don’t see, with those who do. Christ was able to heal the blind man, because his heart was right before God. If one doesn’t choose for Jesus to be their “door” or gate, they will remain spiritually blind.
Even God’s children must always seek the way that God shows (the gate), to avoid becoming spiritually blind. To go Jesus’s way, is to not be a fence jumper, choosing some other way than God’s. Whatever our problem may be, hopelessness, etc., the only way for God’s help and directions, is through Christ. His way, is the gate. A person without literal sight and hearing, can serve God equally as those who can see or hear, so this isn’t dealing with the literal. The lesson here is deeper …a spiritual one. Psalms 23:4 “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me.” What does this mean to you, “the shadow of death?” Probably there’s a concern, to be right with God?
If concerned, how does one resolve a relationship with God? Where, or who am I? Where will I go eternally? The natural fears, perhaps with death, can become more likely as we advance in age. Death casts a very long shadow on our existence. Ultimately we are all going to face death. None of us have been on “the other side.” God’s children trust that He will take them through that uncertainty. But sometimes even saints, have doubts and fears. So saints also need to have the faith that God will be with them. The verse “I will fear no evil,” illustrates that there are feelings that come, of fear, even to God’s children when faced with life’ many serious problems. But will the help or direction we take, bring needed resolution? Just as with the literal blind man, if we submit to God’s way, actually go through Jesus the door, or gate, our existence will be resolved in Him, and not through self and sin.
We need to keep our focus on Jesus, and not let our self be the definition of our existence. Jesus needs to be first and the resolution to all our problems, whether insignificant or serious. Jesus needs to be our only door, …or gate of passage of decision. Only Jesus is the true resolution to all fears, doubts, and challenges!
What motivates you? Jesus or your own way? Jesus is the answer! Let Him be “the gate!”