Today's Reading: John 9: 13-23
**For a simple and good way of Daily Devotion method please click this link: Subject Shifting Devotion.pdf.
Please click this link to read John 9: 13-23
Bible Study
This passage is about fear! A two-way power of fear, first the Pharisees and then the parents of the blind man.
The Pharisees are afraid of something new bursting out within Judaism. When people arise from within their Jewish world, claiming to act in the name of God, and start doing things that crack their system from top to bottom, they can't take it.
As N.T. Wright says:
This kind of reaction is born of a classic type of fear: fear of the unknown, of something outside the system. The man's parents are also afraid, because they know the threat against anyone saying Jesus is the Messiah. They are anxious for their social standing, their livelihood, perhaps their lives. So anxious, in fact, that they are prepared to let their son face the full brunt of the questioning. 'He's grown up; he can speak for himself.' True, maybe, but hardly the statement of a loving parent.
The story speaks to the many dark places in our world today, and no doubt many dark places within our individual lives, where fear, resentment, shock and anxiety cripple our understanding, restrict our faith and stifle our love.
When surrounded by fear and anger, the only way through is to glimpse whatever we can see of Jesus, and to follow him out of the dark and into the light.
That's from what N.T. Wright says that gives us a good understanding of what this passage wants to tell us. It's the fear inside us that we can't accept new concepts, ideas and visions, and it's the same fear that forbids us to bear witness for Jesus!
How can you do away with your fear?
Have a time to be still and give the Holy Spirit space to speak through the passage of scripture we have just read. Offer this time up to Jesus as you listen to him, while listening to "Gabriel's Oboe"
Spiritual Journal
What I heard from Jesus today is: Fear Not to Witness! 勇作見證!
I am a father of two sons. Today, Jesus gives me a challenge of what I would do in the same situation. Would I back out because of my fear and let my son to face that attack alone or would I bear witness in that kind of dangerous moment to die for Jesus and my sons? What's your answer?
What I got from Jesus now is that darkness comes before fear. It is that kind of fear to pull us into a total darkness that cause our spiritual blindness. It's too dark for us to see so we are afraid to do the things Jesus wants us to do. The only way is to follow Jesus and because He is the Light and that we can see because of Jesus' light. And, we can do the things Jesus wants us to do with no fear!
Yes, that's the only way! Jesus is the Light of the world!
Dear Lord Jesus,
Help us to follow you so that we can be in your light to do the things you want us to do without any fear. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.
Chinese praise song - 全地至高是我主 You Are Top No. 1
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