August 7, 2013 (Zephaniah 1-3; John 9)
From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:
Scripture: “You were born a total sinner!” they answered. “Are you trying to teach us?” And they threw him out of the Synagogue.” John 9:34 NLT
Observation: On the Sabbath day Jesus healed this man that was blind from birth. The religious leaders were upset because Jesus was threatening their system of religious government. They liked to rule the people with fear, that’s how they kept them in line. We know this by the response of the blind man’s parents. They feared being thrown out of the Synagogue by the Jewish leaders if they acknowledged Jesus in any way. They had been pre-warned! Here they are, the religious Jewish leaders and all their knowledge and one man that was born a “total” sinner trying to teach them. The leaders were insulted that such a low life would even consider himself worthy to be in their presence, much less teach them a thing. The Jewish leaders could teach, but could not learn because they already knew it all.
Application: Amazingly God will use total sinners to reach out to the well trained in an attempt to teach them. Yet today we face the same attitudes and prideful response from most religious leaders. They boast of their degrees of higher learning, yet often times they fail to see the forest because of all the trees! God is not bound or restricted by what or whom He can use to accomplish His purpose. Even a man born blind from birth can be used by God to teach the well learned and bring God glory. We must never become so full of knowledge that we can no longer learn. We must be careful to guard ourselves from such pride and arrogance. Seek daily the word of God and trust Him to use what He pleases to teach you.
Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for this day. Thank You for Your mercy and grace that provide and protect me everyday. Teach me Lord. Open up my blinded eyes and transform my prideful heart. Fill me with wisdom and understanding; protect me from pride and arrogance. Teach me by whatever means You deem good and allow me to learn the lessons You desire to teach, in Jesus name, Amen!