A Natural Progression

As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” (John 9:1-2)

Few stories in the Bible show the supernatural progression of saving faith better than the story of the man born blind in John 9.

The story begins with a presumption that is common even today. That is, God uses sickness as a punishment for sin. The man who was born blind is believed to have been afflicted by God because of the sins of one or both of his parents. But which one, asks Jesus’ disciples?

But Jesus tells his disciples that what has happened to the blind man is not punishment from God, but the means by which the Creator of Heaven and Earth will bring glory to Himself.

Having removed a false presumption about God, faith begins its journey.

First, a seed of faith is planted in the blind man as Jesus demonstrates his power to heal and gives him sight. But when asked how he received his sight, the man who was blind, even with restored vision, only recognizes Jesus as another man.

Second, when the religious leaders hear about the man’s healing, which took place on the Sabbath (a day when no work should be done), the seed of faith grows, and begins to take root. Now, being questioned by religious types, the man’s faith allows him to recognize Jesus as a prophet. But his zeal only leads to trouble he is kicked out of the temple.

Third and last, separated from his tradition, the man is alone with only his faith. Something about the person who healed him is connected to God, but exactly what remains unclear.

Then Jesus finds the man, who now seeing with his physical eyes, is beginning to see with his spiritual eyes. Jesus asks him if he knows the Son of Man, the Messiah, the one sent by God to heal the lame, and give sight to the blind. “No,” replies the man. “Who is he?”

“I am He,” said Jesus.

Immediately the man bows down and worships Jesus. Once thought to be just a man, then considered perhaps to be a prophet, Jesus is now affirmed as Lord. Faith, having taken its first steps toward righteousness, now rests fully in the heart of the man born blind, who now sees Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of the Living God.

“But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”
Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” (Matthew 16:15-16)

A Lesson on Giving

But he answered, “You give them something to eat.” (Mark 6:37)

While the story of the feeding of the five thousand is the only miracle of Jesus recorded in all four Gospels, only Mark tells the complete story.

Unlike Matthew and John, Mark and Luke let their readers know that just prior to the feeding of the five thousand Jesus’ twelve disciples have returned from a season of training. However, only Mark, whose story is believed to be told from the perspective of the Apostle Peter, reveals that upon their return, the disciples are quite hungry.

One can easily infer from this inside information that as the evening draws to a close, the disciples’ encouragement to Jesus to disperse the crowd away is not because of their concern for the tired, hungry masses. The disciples’ real desire is to find a meal for themselves. It is a desire that Jesus seems to already know.

But instead of dismissing the crowd so everyone can go and find food, Jesus commands his disciples to feed the crowd. A quick search reveals that one little boy has brought a lunch of two fish and five small loaves of bread. But it is hardly enough to feed two people, much less such an enormous crowd.

Nevertheless, Jesus takes the fish and the bread, prays over it, and then gives it to his disciples to pass out among the people. One by one each person breaks off a piece of bread and takes a portion of the fish and begins to eat.

After everyone has eaten, Jesus commands the disciples to collect the leftovers in one of twelve baskets. As they do, what Jesus has done becomes plain to see. Not only has Jesus provided food for five thousand men, plus women and children, he has recognized the hunger of his disciples and provided for them as well.

Many lessons can be learned from this story. For me, the one that stands out is the lesson to give and it shall be given. It is a lesson about priorities where love for others supersedes the love of self. It is a lesson about seeking the well being of others without fear, knowing that as you and I seek the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, our Heavenly Father has already made away to provide for our needs.

Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” (Luke 6:38)

A Father’s Love

Romans 8:15
For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, “Abba! Father!”

It’s 3:00 A.M. and for some reason I am awakened from a sound sleep. Then, from down the hall, I hear the cry of my two-year-old son; DADDY!

By the time I shake the cobwebs from my head and notice the time, he has called out to me four times. It is cold, and as I fumble in the dark for a shirt he cries out three more times; DADDY!

When I get to his room he is laying in bed waiting for me, but as soon as the door opens he is up and halfway in my arms. With the security that only Daddy can offer at 3:00 A.M. I pick him up and hold him to my chest. He immediately lays his head on my shoulder as he wraps his arms around my neck. His feet are touching my belly; his chest is on my chest, his head in the crook of my neck. He can not get any closer to me, or show more trust in me to comfort him in his fear. He literally has cast all his cares upon me because he knows that at three o’clock in the morning, no one cares for you more than Daddy.

As Christians, you and I have been given the same privilege to wrap our arms around our Daddy’s neck in the hour when we are most afraid. We have a Daddy who loves us more than we can imagine, who will give us His peace to comfort us when are afraid, for we were not given the spirit of fear, but a Spirit of love so that at 3:00 A.M. we can cry out, DADDY!

“Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful (John 14:27).