Form your Opinion About Jesus Christ!
Rev. Enoch Thompson | May 19, 2024 | John 9:13-17
KEY VERSE:
”Finally they turned again to the blind man, "What have you to say about him? It was your eyes he opened." The man replied, "He is a prophet."John 9:17 (NIV)
MESSAGE:
The life of a person is the sum total of the decisions one makes in the space and time that we have. My life today is going to be summed up in the things I choose to do or not to do, how to go about issues that come up and my views about who I am and who other people around me are. Ultimately our lives are a reflection of our view of the spiritual and our conclusion on the claims of the Lord Jesus Christ.
The healed blind man was brought before the Pharisees for questioning, for his healing had disturbed the religious atmosphere of formal religious observance of the Sabbath. The beneficiary of divine blessings often becomes the victim of God’s enemies, (see Job and Lazarus).
The Pharisees had formed an opinion about the Preacher from Nazareth, Jesus Christ, "This man is not from God, for he does not keep the Sabbath." (9:16a). From their group another view emerged: ‘But others asked, ‘"How can a sinner do such miraculous signs?" So they were divided.’ (9:16 b). Jesus often causes divisions as people are forced by His claims to make one decision or another about Him. The most exciting part of the debate about the Lord Jesus is seen in John 9:17; ‘Finally they turned again to the blind man, "What have you to say about him? It was your eyes he opened." The man replied, "He is a prophet."
You must form and express an opinion about Christ and His teachings.
FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE:
The debate about the Lord continues into our day and will continue till He comes. You must form an opinion as to whether Jesus of Nazareth was an ordinary human being, one of Israel’s many prophets or God Almighty who took on human form to die for you and in your place.
Jesus is Lord of all or of nothing at all!
PRAYER:
Dear Lord Jesus, I am a blessed beneficiary of your saving grace. I am nothing without you. Please help me to understand who you have revealed yourself to be, and to firmly form a right opinion of you. May I boldly declare my convictions about you, in spite of fierce opposition by surrounding forces. For your dear Name’s sake, Amen.
THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING.
SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!!
DAILY word study: HAVE TO SAY The Greek phrase for "have to say" can be rendered as "τί λέγεις" (ti legeis). "Τί" (ti) means "what" and "λέγεις" (legeis) means "do you say" or "do you think". This phrase is used to elicit someone's personal opinion or testimony.
In our devotional today we see the religious leaders asking the healed blind man his personal opinion on who he thinks Jesus is, showing their intent to understand and possibly challenge the man's perception of Jesus. We find a similar expression in Matthew 16:15, where Jesus asks his disciples, "But what about you? Who do you say I am?" This question invites a personal declaration about Jesus' identity. In John 4:29, the Samaritan woman invites others to consider who Jesus is, saying, "Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah?" The inquiry "What do you have to say" emphasizes the importance of personal testimony and acknowledgment of Jesus' identity. It highlights the transformative impact of Jesus' miracles, leading individuals to form and express their understanding of who He is. It also reflects the broader theme of witness and testimony in the Gospel of John, where personal encounters with Jesus often lead to public declarations of faith.
Reflections:
How would you answer the question "What do you have to say" about Jesus in your own life? How has your understanding of Him been shaped by your experiences and personal encounters with His work?
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