Read John 9
Highlights:
Have you asked Jesus to change you? The power of a changed life vs. spiritual blindness (John 9:1-41). The Good Shepherd and His sheep (10:11). Jesus, the Father, the sheep, and eternal life (10:23-30). False accusations against Jesus; the enemy still seeks to kill Him (10:31-40).
Three times a year, all men of Israel were commanded to gather in Jerusalem to celebrate seven God-given feasts. The first feasts were Passover and Unleavened Bread (Lev. 23:5-8) — a reminder of their freedom from Egypt. These were followed the same week by Firstfruits (23:10). A first sheaf of early harvest was waved by the priest in faith that God would give them a bountiful harvest. The Feast of Weeks (Pentecost) took place fifty days later on their second journey to Jerusalem. On their third journey they celebrated the Feast of Tabernacles during which time water from the Pool of Siloam was poured out by the high priest — looking forward to the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. The pouring of the water from the golden pitcher took place amid the blowing of the trumpets by the priests and the singing of sacred music by the Levites, while the people chanted the Hallel (Ps. 113-118): Save now, I beseech Thee, O Lord. . . . Blessed be He that cometh in the Name of the Lord. . . . God is the Lord, which hath shewed us light. . . . Thou art my God, and I will praise thee (118:25-28).
It was following all this that the Lord Jesus invited those in the Temple: If any man thirst, let him come unto Me, and drink (John 7:37-39). What our Savior said by implication was: "I am the fulfillment of the prophetic Scripture you have just read." Could this carpenter's Son be the long-expected Messiah?
The next day, violence once again erupted in the Temple, and this time stones were hurled at Jesus by the Jews in response to His claim: Before Abraham was, I am (8:58).
As Jesus escaped from the mob and went His way, He passed by a man who was known to be hopelessly blind from birth. This man's affliction became a means of manifesting Jesus as the prophesied Messiah King — the Light of the world (9:5).
The love of God is the spiritual purpose in much of human suffering, and this man's blindness was the very means of keeping him from being lost for eternity. By faith, he obeyed Jesus' command to wash in the Pool of Siloam. He could have argued: "How could I, a blind man, be expected to find the pool?" But he expressed faith and obeyed, and he came seeing (9:7) — in a double sense; for now he saw that Jesus was indeed the prophesied Messiah. Later Jesus found him. And he said, Lord, I believe. And he worshipped Him (John 9:38).
Thought for Today:
Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God (I John 4:15).
Cross Reference:
For John 10:34: See Ps. 82:6.
Word Studies:
10:3 porter a doorkeeper; watchman; 10:41 resorted unto Him, came to Him.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for International Broadcasts sponsored by Mr. & Mrs. Jack Schatz • Bible Pathway Media Producer: Rick Hash • Government Official: Rep. John Yarmuth (KY) • Country: Czech Republic (10 million) in central Europe • Major languages: Czech and Slovak • Religious freedom • 63% Catholic; 7% Protestant; 4% Eastern Orthodox • Prayer Suggestion: Diligently seek the guidance of the Lord (Prov. 8:17).
Memory Verse for the Week:
