GOD LISTENS TO OBEDIENT WORSHIPERS

Acknowledging God

Follow in My Ways

There Is No God Like You

John 9:24-38 The Message (MSG)

24 They called the man back a second time—the man who had been blind—and told him, “Give credit to God. We know this man is an impostor.”
25 He replied, “I know nothing about that one way or the other. But I know one thing for sure: I was blind . . . I now see.”
26 They said, “What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?”
27 “I’ve told you over and over and you haven’t listened. Why do you want to hear it again? Are you so eager to become his disciples?”
28-29 With that they jumped all over him. “You might be a disciple of that man, but we’re disciples of Moses. We know for sure that God spoke to Moses, but we have no idea where this man even comes from.”
30-33 The man replied, “This is amazing! You claim to know nothing about him, but the fact is, he opened my eyes! It’s well known that God isn’t at the beck and call of sinners, but listens carefully to anyone who lives in reverence and does his will. That someone opened the eyes of a man born blind has never been heard of—ever. If this man didn’t come from God, he wouldn’t be able to do anything.”
34 They said, “You’re nothing but dirt! How dare you take that tone with us!” Then they threw him out in the street.
35 Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, and went and found him. He asked him, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?”
36 The man said, “Point him out to me, sir, so that I can believe in him.”
37 Jesus said, “You’re looking right at him. Don’t you recognize my voice?”
38 “Master, I believe,” the man said, and worshiped him.

For Reflection

They had expected a messiah, but the Pharisees did not expect one that would challenge their view of religion or their power as leaders and representatives of the Roman occupation.  Out of fear of losing their control, they fought, sometimes violently, trying to discredit, and demonize Christ.  The Pharisees were hiding the truth of Christ from themselves by their inability to see beyond their selfish concerns.

Christ has shown us that God is not interested in religion.  God is involved in the development of the human potential to love and live in harmony with God and each other.  Pharisees were interested in malicious adherence to the letter of the law. God champions the equitable distribution of God's largess (physical and spiritual) to all peoples. 

Pray

Pray for the courage to make your primary interests the will of God, stewardship of God's resources and shepherding of each other.

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