And we start talking...
SIM1 PNF JOHN 9:1-38
Posted on Friday, October 30, 2009
How is the question asked in v2 very much like some questions still asked today?
Actually I think in my daily life, I think very much like the pharisees. I just want to know the reason or cause for all the bad things that is happening. And I always have this mentality that God punishes those who does wrong or not walking close to Him. I mean, its a wrong mentality of course but I guess I was just trying to be self righteous.
How does Jesus answer the question? In what way must his answer have greatly surprised the crowd?
The crowd must have been greatly surprised because some times things happened not because of the bad things or sins that have been made but just for us to believe that Jesus is God.
How does the man respond to Jesus (v38)? In what way did this glorify God?
The man accepted Jesus into his life. He caused the pharisees to be speechless and convinced people that their beliefs were nothing but a set of traditions and custom. He was indeed being brought to the pharisees for questioning but this in turned became a time to glorify God, he convinced the public that Jesus is God and it is shown by the people being divided.
-jolene
Reflection points: It speaks of the faith the blind man had. He knew that only God and His chosen prophets could perform signs and wonders. He might have tried out other methods to get his sight, but apparently none worked as he remained blind until Christ restored his sight. The faith he had was unwavering in times of judgment from the Pharisees and the disbelieving community. He could have taken the credit or given the credit to someone else; however, he chose not to rob Jesus of His credit. Humility, strong faith, a man of strong character is portrayed here.
There are many reasons as to why I am deficient, dysfunctional, or even disabled in my spirit. It is not only for me to realize and change, not only because I sinned, therefore being judged. It is more than that to the extent that it was all for God’s personal glory. Until I learn to look at things from the lens of God, to look for my purpose of life from Him, I will not understand my weaknesses and will keep blaming God or worse still, bear a grudge against God. At the end of it all, it is God who created me. I belong to Him. He draws out my purpose of life; not the other way around. He will see things happen that will increase my level of faith according to His timing and plan. Let not my will, but His will be done.
I ask myself “When are the moments that I am likened to the Pharisees?” I know about God, in fact I know Him. Yet, I choose to sweep Him aside and lead my own life. I choose not to believe in things that He has presented to me. I remember the miracles He has shown me in Thailand, The Philippines, Singapore etc. But when the tough times come, I choose and contemplate giving up. I ignore His calls, His plans. This is as good as the Pharisees who knew of the existence of God. They knew the law really well. But there is no life transformation because they didn't believe in the living law. The living covenant must be adhered to if I am truly to say that I love God with all my heart, soul and strength.
Blessed is the man who believes without seeing for faith is being sure of what we do not see.
Prayer points: I will count my blessings. I will choose to believe and put my trust in God even under trial and scrutiny.
-Ben
God gives us alot of good things such as healing but we are often blind and do not appreciate Him. We need to thank God and give glory to Him.
-Ryan
When I read this passage, I see myself not as the blind man but as the Pharisee. There are times when I know what I ought to do but do not do. In essence, the Pharisees know what is lawful but they are stubborn and blind to the ways of God. I need to repent and change, learning to become more like the blind man who exalts Jesus Christ wholeheartedly!?
-Si yuan
I was concentrating on John 9:7. In John 9:7, the Bible mentioned that Jesus made some mud with the saliva and put it on the blind man's eye and asked him to wash in the Pool of Siloam. Two points that I learned from this verse are (a) Faith in God (b) Obey God - Follow and not question.
If I'm the blind man, I will definitely scream and pissed when Jesus put the mud on my face. Imagine someone just put mud over your eye without your permission? I will think "what is this man trying to do?..How could he spit and put mud on my eye". But this blind man not only trusted Jesus, he also followed what Jesus told him to do (which is to go to Pool of Siloam). He obeyed Jesus even though he doesnt know what's ahead of him.
What we can apply here is to have faith in God and obey Him. In times of difficulties, down times etc, we often question God why is He allowing all these obstacles to hinder us. We often concentrate on the "why am i so suay.. why am i facing all these". We become more inward-looking and miss out the part to look to God. We concentrate on the limitations we have and not the blessings that God gives us.
-Jasmine
I'm just glad and thankful that Jesus really understands what i'm going through. is really not easy to always do the right things especially when situations or pple really make me so frustrated that i would really want to cut corners, give up my birthright and really give that person a piece of mind! but i didn't and i'm glad that i have a God to turn to and vent my frustration to.
Pray that i can respond the way Jesus do, love like Jesus! So that others will know that is not me but is Him.
Junyao
God receives glory with his healing power and also when people endure their own sufferings through the power of his grace.Though many believe that there is no suffering without iniquity but sometimes it might just be the sin-sick world that contributes to it which also leads to commonly asked questions'' why does God allow sufferings?''.To some it might be the incuration of God's wrath, others might think that he is using it against us but I think its to let us see God's purpose and intent in our lives.Believing after being ostracized by his people,the man who had been blind, makes me understand what it truly means to follow God.
Prayer pt:
Physical blindness vs Spiritual blindness reminds me to check my life ... Do I really need to physically see in order to have the faith to believe in him?
ping
Actually I think in my daily life, I think very much like the pharisees. I just want to know the reason or cause for all the bad things that is happening. And I always have this mentality that God punishes those who does wrong or not walking close to Him. I mean, its a wrong mentality of course but I guess I was just trying to be self righteous.
How does Jesus answer the question? In what way must his answer have greatly surprised the crowd?
The crowd must have been greatly surprised because some times things happened not because of the bad things or sins that have been made but just for us to believe that Jesus is God.
How does the man respond to Jesus (v38)? In what way did this glorify God?
The man accepted Jesus into his life. He caused the pharisees to be speechless and convinced people that their beliefs were nothing but a set of traditions and custom. He was indeed being brought to the pharisees for questioning but this in turned became a time to glorify God, he convinced the public that Jesus is God and it is shown by the people being divided.
-jolene
Reflection points: It speaks of the faith the blind man had. He knew that only God and His chosen prophets could perform signs and wonders. He might have tried out other methods to get his sight, but apparently none worked as he remained blind until Christ restored his sight. The faith he had was unwavering in times of judgment from the Pharisees and the disbelieving community. He could have taken the credit or given the credit to someone else; however, he chose not to rob Jesus of His credit. Humility, strong faith, a man of strong character is portrayed here.
There are many reasons as to why I am deficient, dysfunctional, or even disabled in my spirit. It is not only for me to realize and change, not only because I sinned, therefore being judged. It is more than that to the extent that it was all for God’s personal glory. Until I learn to look at things from the lens of God, to look for my purpose of life from Him, I will not understand my weaknesses and will keep blaming God or worse still, bear a grudge against God. At the end of it all, it is God who created me. I belong to Him. He draws out my purpose of life; not the other way around. He will see things happen that will increase my level of faith according to His timing and plan. Let not my will, but His will be done.
I ask myself “When are the moments that I am likened to the Pharisees?” I know about God, in fact I know Him. Yet, I choose to sweep Him aside and lead my own life. I choose not to believe in things that He has presented to me. I remember the miracles He has shown me in Thailand, The Philippines, Singapore etc. But when the tough times come, I choose and contemplate giving up. I ignore His calls, His plans. This is as good as the Pharisees who knew of the existence of God. They knew the law really well. But there is no life transformation because they didn't believe in the living law. The living covenant must be adhered to if I am truly to say that I love God with all my heart, soul and strength.
Blessed is the man who believes without seeing for faith is being sure of what we do not see.
Prayer points: I will count my blessings. I will choose to believe and put my trust in God even under trial and scrutiny.
-Ben
God gives us alot of good things such as healing but we are often blind and do not appreciate Him. We need to thank God and give glory to Him.
-Ryan
When I read this passage, I see myself not as the blind man but as the Pharisee. There are times when I know what I ought to do but do not do. In essence, the Pharisees know what is lawful but they are stubborn and blind to the ways of God. I need to repent and change, learning to become more like the blind man who exalts Jesus Christ wholeheartedly!?
-Si yuan
I was concentrating on John 9:7. In John 9:7, the Bible mentioned that Jesus made some mud with the saliva and put it on the blind man's eye and asked him to wash in the Pool of Siloam. Two points that I learned from this verse are (a) Faith in God (b) Obey God - Follow and not question.
If I'm the blind man, I will definitely scream and pissed when Jesus put the mud on my face. Imagine someone just put mud over your eye without your permission? I will think "what is this man trying to do?..How could he spit and put mud on my eye". But this blind man not only trusted Jesus, he also followed what Jesus told him to do (which is to go to Pool of Siloam). He obeyed Jesus even though he doesnt know what's ahead of him.
What we can apply here is to have faith in God and obey Him. In times of difficulties, down times etc, we often question God why is He allowing all these obstacles to hinder us. We often concentrate on the "why am i so suay.. why am i facing all these". We become more inward-looking and miss out the part to look to God. We concentrate on the limitations we have and not the blessings that God gives us.
-Jasmine
I'm just glad and thankful that Jesus really understands what i'm going through. is really not easy to always do the right things especially when situations or pple really make me so frustrated that i would really want to cut corners, give up my birthright and really give that person a piece of mind! but i didn't and i'm glad that i have a God to turn to and vent my frustration to.
Pray that i can respond the way Jesus do, love like Jesus! So that others will know that is not me but is Him.
Junyao
God receives glory with his healing power and also when people endure their own sufferings through the power of his grace.Though many believe that there is no suffering without iniquity but sometimes it might just be the sin-sick world that contributes to it which also leads to commonly asked questions'' why does God allow sufferings?''.To some it might be the incuration of God's wrath, others might think that he is using it against us but I think its to let us see God's purpose and intent in our lives.Believing after being ostracized by his people,the man who had been blind, makes me understand what it truly means to follow God.
Prayer pt:
Physical blindness vs Spiritual blindness reminds me to check my life ... Do I really need to physically see in order to have the faith to believe in him?
ping
Labels: Our Reflections
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