Bible Pathway - November 4
Read John 9
Highlights:
Healing the man born blind; Jesus, the Good Shepherd.
He answered and said, Whether He be a sinner or no, I know not: one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see . . . And he said, Lord, I believe. And he worshipped Him (John 9:25,38).
This unnamed man, blind from birth, told how he had received his sight. What a beautiful picture this is of all who have received Christ and now tell others of the wonderful Savior who gives eternal life. How could you not want to share this kind of news? God has just transformed your life. Of course, you are going to want to tell everyone you see. Many even preached and taught of what they had seen or experienced. The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the Gospel preached to them (Matt. 11:5).
The unconverted skeptic will find fault, deny it, and insist upon debating about the transformation that takes place in the heart of the believer, but the one who trusts Christ as his Savior can say with the blind man, One thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see. Praise the Lord that we are changed by the saving power of Jesus. We were dead and now have become alive. What other force in the world can do that? None that I know. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth My Word, and believeth on Him that sent Me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life (John 5:24).
When we are exposed to Christ, the Light of the World, something happens. Either our eyes are opened and we see spiritually as did this blind man, or we remain blind eternally like the Pharisees. The light of God's Word has purifying power that cleanses the worst sinner. Many people feel they have gone too far to be forgiven. In their minds they have created a “sin line” which they have crossed. They believe their sins are so terrible they cannot be forgiven. For them this sin line is a point of no return. Grace is so much more than people understand. Through Jesus' death on the cross our sins are cast as far away as the east is from the west (Ps. 103:12). The Word of God will help us overcome our sin. For the Word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart (Heb. 4:12).
The Bible first reveals the impurities in our lives, then it shows how God has provided for continual cleansing.
Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you (John 15:3).
Thought for Today:
To the sincere believer, the Bible is like a mirror, making us aware of our innermost thoughts and motives.
Cross Reference:
For John 10:34: See Ps. 82:6.
Word Studies:
10:3 porter, doorkeeper; watchman; 10:41 resorted unto Him, came to Him.
Prayer Suggestion: Diligently seek the guidance of the Lord (Prov. 8:17).
Memory Verse for the Week: Titus 3:3
