Comments on: John 9 (NIV) http://findinggrace.com/blog/2007/11/21/john-9-niv/ Mon, 06 Oct 2008 14:19:36 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.2 By: JP http://findinggrace.com/blog/2007/11/21/john-9-niv/#comment-728 JP Sun, 25 Nov 2007 21:24:05 +0000 http://findinggrace.com/blog/2007/11/21/john-9-niv/#comment-728 Don't forget the Johnny Cash: I see men like trees walking; I'm beginning to see.... This guy's story is probably my favorite for describing Jesus as a common-sense kind of savior and his gospel as an every day thing. It wasn't mystical teachings or crafty arguments for this dude, only one thing: He replied, “Whether he is a sinner or not, I don’t know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!” The life-changing power of Jesus was all that mattered to this guy. When you help other people or do good deeds in Jesus' name and people know that you're doing it because of that, it makes more of an impact than all the clever arguments and theological discussion in the world ever could. I was blind, now I can see, case closed! I am willing to guess this guy was not a trained debate master or anything like that. But boy, did he shut them down in verses 30-33. I wish I could have his face. Despite the fact that these guys could have ordered him stoned, I'm willing to bet my favorite guitar he was laughing when he replied to them. What can they do? This guy they don't even know just made him see! Their threats and anger probably seemed awfully small compared to the miracle. I am also willing to bet as a blind man that he had not been through all the Bible schooling that they had, and he still came back with this common sense response: "We know that God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the godly man who does his will." That's pretty cool. Odds are good that the Pharisees received the Hebrew version of "talk to the hand" from this guy as he walked away. Don’t forget the Johnny Cash: I see men like trees walking; I’m beginning to see….

This guy’s story is probably my favorite for describing Jesus as a common-sense kind of savior and his gospel as an every day thing. It wasn’t mystical teachings or crafty arguments for this dude, only one thing:

He replied, “Whether he is a sinner or not, I don’t know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!”

The life-changing power of Jesus was all that mattered to this guy. When you help other people or do good deeds in Jesus’ name and people know that you’re doing it because of that, it makes more of an impact than all the clever arguments and theological discussion in the world ever could. I was blind, now I can see, case closed!

I am willing to guess this guy was not a trained debate master or anything like that. But boy, did he shut them down in verses 30-33. I wish I could have his face. Despite the fact that these guys could have ordered him stoned, I’m willing to bet my favorite guitar he was laughing when he replied to them. What can they do? This guy they don’t even know just made him see! Their threats and anger probably seemed awfully small compared to the miracle. I am also willing to bet as a blind man that he had not been through all the Bible schooling that they had, and he still came back with this common sense response:

“We know that God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the godly man who does his will.”

That’s pretty cool. Odds are good that the Pharisees received the Hebrew version of “talk to the hand” from this guy as he walked away.

]]> By: dave hensleigh http://findinggrace.com/blog/2007/11/21/john-9-niv/#comment-681 dave hensleigh Wed, 21 Nov 2007 14:55:15 +0000 http://findinggrace.com/blog/2007/11/21/john-9-niv/#comment-681 My take away for today- DON'T MISS THE MIRACLE by getting bogged down in my little rules and preferences and criticism. What is your takeaway? My take away for today- DON’T MISS THE MIRACLE by getting bogged down in my little rules and preferences and criticism.

What is your takeaway?

]]> By: dave hensleigh http://findinggrace.com/blog/2007/11/21/john-9-niv/#comment-680 dave hensleigh Wed, 21 Nov 2007 14:51:12 +0000 http://findinggrace.com/blog/2007/11/21/john-9-niv/#comment-680 "I am the man"- your personal story is always the best. Noone can argue with it. “I am the man”- your personal story is always the best. Noone can argue with it.

]]> By: dave hensleigh http://findinggrace.com/blog/2007/11/21/john-9-niv/#comment-679 dave hensleigh Wed, 21 Nov 2007 14:50:06 +0000 http://findinggrace.com/blog/2007/11/21/john-9-niv/#comment-679 Chapter 8 He is writing on the ground...now He is spitting on the ground. What is this about? Chapter 8 He is writing on the ground…now He is spitting on the ground. What is this about?

]]> By: dave hensleigh http://findinggrace.com/blog/2007/11/21/john-9-niv/#comment-678 dave hensleigh Wed, 21 Nov 2007 14:49:08 +0000 http://findinggrace.com/blog/2007/11/21/john-9-niv/#comment-678 I think it is so cool when I ask God "Is it a or b?" and HE says "Neither!". This is what happens in these opening verses. Jesus clarifies that its not a whodunnit with sin...its a glory deal. So often we get caught trying to clarify our criticism when glory is flowing past us. I think it is so cool when I ask God “Is it a or b?” and HE says “Neither!”. This is what happens in these opening verses. Jesus clarifies that its not a whodunnit with sin…its a glory deal. So often we get caught trying to clarify our criticism when glory is flowing past us.

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