Look! - John 12:12-19 - The Celebration of Palm Sunday

 

John 12:12-19 NIV

¹² The next day the great crowd that had come for the festival heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem. ¹³ They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting,

“Hosanna!”

“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”

“Blessed is the king of Israel!”

¹⁴ Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, as it is written:

¹⁵ “Do not be afraid, Daughter Zion;
    see, your king is coming,
    seated on a donkey’s colt.”

¹⁶ At first his disciples did not understand all this. Only after Jesus was glorified did they realize that these things had been written about him and that these things had been done to him.

¹⁷ Now the crowd that was with him when he called Lazarus from the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to spread the word. ¹⁸ Many people, because they had heard that he had performed this sign, went out to meet him. ¹⁹ So the Pharisees said to one another, “See, this is getting us nowhere. Look how the whole world has gone after him!”

Look!

Jesus, following the Father’s plan of salvation, sets his face “like flint,” to ride on in majesty to His rejection, suffering, death, resurrection and ascension. It was a tough and hard plan to carry out, but out of love, and for our sake; Jesus rode into His passion. Thank you, Lord Jesus!

Yes, Jesus! You ARE my God!

Draw me away from my selfish pride. From pride that exalts myself over and above my neighbor. Teach and give me a humble heart to serve and love You and my neighbor always.

Do we really expect Jesus to return to this earth? Or do we just like to live in the here and now and ignore the idea that Jesus will return again? Many people either don’t believe this will happen or choose to deny the possibility that Jesus’ return could happen at any time. This thinking even invades the minds of those who claim Christianity. It’s not a serious thought. Or is it? Should it be? Do present day disciples yearn for Jesus’ return, like right now? Or are we too involved with present day desires and life? These questions pop into my mind quite often. For me? I want Jesus to return right this moment, if that is God’s plan. If not, then may God keep me ready and prepared and willing to act out in His love for all the world around me. But, that’s a tall order. Why? Because I fail all the time. So, I ask God to help and guide me along the way.

Here in this passage the Jews had heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. Jesus had just been to the home of Lazarus, Martha and Mary. This was a dinner to honor Jesus. Mary, even anointed Jesus’ feet with some expensive ointment that was perfumed beautifully. Well, a crowd figured out Jesus was there and gathered to see Jesus and Lazarus, whom Jesus has just raised from the dead. Talk about a different kind of “stink!” The chief priests were none too happy with this gathering. People were beginning to put their faith in Jesus.

So, now a large crowd had come together for the Feast of the Passover. They had heard that Jesus was on his way from Bethany to Jerusalem. This distance was only a couple of miles. Jesus coming to Jerusalem, now, since His ministry was widespread and famous, was a big deal. Jesus is coming! They welcomed Jesus with honor and glory shouting Hosanna! In other words, they were shouting for Jesus to save them.

Well, hmmm… Sometimes, even today, perhaps we shout for Jesus’ return to save us from ourselves. But, is that a selfish ambition? Sure, Jesus comes to save us from ourselves, but why? Does Jesus save us because He wants to meet our demands? Does Jesus save us out of His pity? Why does God want to save us, and why do we think we deserve to be saved?

It’s one thing to worship God… It’s one thing to honor Jesus… but it’s also another thing to do this out of selfish wants and desires. So, what’s behind this praise and worship, yesterday and today? What’s behind this Palm Sunday event? Are we perhaps the focus of this event? Or is God the focus of this Palm Sunday return, or even Jesus’ return as we wait for Him today?

Ponder these words from John as he writes from the island of Patmos…

Revelation 7:9-10 NIV

⁹ After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. ¹⁰ And they cried out in a loud voice:

“Salvation belongs to our God,
who sits on the throne,
and to the Lamb.”

 

Salvation belongs to God…

You see, it’s not about you or me. It’s about God and what God wants and desires. This is God in action and at work for His desires. Sure, it may fulfill my wants and needs, but this is God’s action, not mine. This is God’s victory! This is God’s Palm Sunday, as all Palm Sundays belong to God.

Jesus chooses a donkey? Why not a powerful horse? A donkey exudes arriving in peace. A horse proclaims power and might. Isn’t Jesus to be a powerful King? A king that will defeat all of the enemies of the Roman Empire. A king that will take control of the religious leaders and set things straight. But here Jesus comes in peace on a donkey. Just how is this kind of king going to help me out. The poor and over-worked people of that day and of this day too, already know humility. We don’t need peace! We need power and strength and might! But here Jesus is, coming in peace on a donkey. Sure, let’s offer praise and thanks. Afterall, look at what Jesus has already done in His ministry. Look at His teachings. Look at His healings. It’s all evidence that Jesus is in position to make things right for me and for you. It’s all evidence that Jesus is here to meet our wants and desires, and to raise us up out of poverty and hard work and illness. Didn’t Jesus arrive to meet our needs? Isn’t that what a Messiah is supposed to do?

We are not to be afraid. Haven’t we heard this theme of “no fear” so many times before? We especially hear the angels sent by God, proclaiming a significant event where God meets us with a message, to not fear. Honestly, as Jesus arrives in peace on a donkey, I’m a bit afraid. I’m a bit afraid that this approach by God in the face of the powerful Roman government and the soldiers nearby, just won’t work at all. I’m afraid that this is going to result in failure. This seems to be a very humble statement, or prophecy for the arrival of a king for all eternity. In my humanness, I just don’t get it. I just don’t think this is going to fly!

Jesus has been teaching us these past several weeks about the physical world verses the spiritual world and how they interact. Maybe the word Kingdom would be a better choice here than world. As I witness Jesus’ riding into Jerusalem, humble and on a donkey, I can’t help but to think of the physical aspect of what is happening. Perhaps the response, unbeknownst to the people is a spiritual response. And yet maybe also a physical response to what the people deem as their wants and desires for Jesus’ rule in the world. As I reflect upon what is about to take place in Jesus’ life and mission, I must realize the absolute physical realm of humanity that Jesus is about to endure. Physical in that He WILL suffer, He WILL die on a cross. He WILL be placed in a tomb. That’s about as physical as one can get! Yet, Jesus leads me on to see the spiritual side of this also. Even though I desire a physical answer to the problems of my life and this world, Jesus’ ultimate mission is leading me towards His spiritual Kingdom of God. That’s way beyond what I expect, or probably what any of the people praising Jesus as He enters Jerusalem expect. So, yea, Jesus is once again teaching and leading us from this physical world, to the spiritual Kingdom of God throughout eternity. But we need both the physical and the spiritual Kingdoms together in Jesus.

So, what about you and me? Do we see what Jesus has done, the miracles He has performed and testify to the world? Do we run to the parade to see Jesus? Why?

If our testimony is of God, then we run to the parade, not because of His miracles, no. Not to testify what Jesus can do for us. Why not?

Its’s the action of God in Jesus through miracles that reveal to each one of us the glory of God. We are called to something deeper than this physical realm, the physical Kingdom of God. We are called and given a deeper faith. We seek Jesus at the parade because God points to Jesus as THE Messiah. So, we are called to witness to what Jesus has done in our lives and to proclaim the Good News of God’s Action through Jesus.

So, here and all of our life we run out and testify. We testify what God has done, “Pointing to Jesus” all lifelong.

And it’s this testimony of what God is doing through Jesus that terrifies the Pharisees of Jesus day. And that testimony terrifies the rulers of this day as well. This parade is not about God meeting the needs of the people, making them rich, powerful, and strong. This parade is about showing what God’s action will be FOR His children because it’s His choice.

As Jesus faces the harsh reality of this physical realm, this physical world to face persecution, punishment, torture, and a gruesome death; He draws the world into Himself to give us a spiritual realm called the Kingdom of God. Jesus is King of both the physical and the spiritual Kingdom for sure, but He takes on the physical in His very own flesh and blood, to give us His spiritual Kingdom starting here and now, and going on forever into eternity.

So, does this mean, we will have a cakewalk in our testimony? Can we sit in our airconditioned churches with coffee in hand and sing praises to God to like believers? Can we idly sit by and watch the show as the band and the preacher talk on about how great we have it?

I think not. Look at the lives of those who proclaimed the Gospel after Jesus’ Ascension into heaven. All of the Apostles were killed, except for maybe John and he was on an island. Paul wandered about all over the place. But it wasn’t a cruise. It was hard travel and persecution and imprisonment for revealing what God has done through Jesus and the Gospel.

Do you think, as a disciple of Christ that you could likewise be rich and powerful? Do you really think that is what Jesus died for? We are very fortunate in our modern day that we have multiple ways to proclaim the Gospel from within our own comfort zones. But that’s not how the Gospel is spread all over the world. For some, standing up to testify is a danger, possibly leading to death.

But here is the thing, Jesus faces the physical evils of the world, so that, He could offer to all who believe in Him, both a physical and a spiritual Kingdom of God. One that goes beyond what is here and now. Jesus faced into the physical and gifted us with the ability to face the physical world in which we live, in the hope and joy of the sure reality of the Kingdom of God that exists throughout all time and space.

There is coming a new heaven and a new earth, made like the heaven and the earth that was always intended before our selfish pride ruined the earth we live in with sin and death. How did that happen? Well, that was OUR Action. Here in this parade, God IS acting once again. Acting in ways that are hard and maybe impossible for us to understand, but God IS ACTIVE. And in this action of God in the Messiah Jesus, we have all the reason in the Kingdom of God to give praise and adoration and shout enthusiastic HOSANNA! GOD SAVE US! … today… tomorrow… and forever! So, come to the parade; LOOK and see what God has done! Thanks be to God!

I leave you with this YouTube Music Video that I enjoyed listening to this past week…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=koMY_04gzag&list=RDkoMY_04gzag&start_radio=1

Dead Ain't Dead - Come Out! --- John 11:1-53 - Fifth Week of Lent

 

John 11:1-53 NIV

11 Now a man named Lazarus was sick. He was from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. ² (This Mary, whose brother Lazarus now lay sick, was the same one who poured perfume on the Lord and wiped his feet with her hair.) ³ So the sisters sent word to Jesus, “Lord, the one you love is sick.”

⁴ When he heard this, Jesus said, “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.” ⁵ Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. ⁶ So when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days, ⁷ and then he said to his disciples, “Let us go back to Judea.”

⁸ “But Rabbi,” they said, “a short while ago the Jews there tried to stone you, and yet you are going back?”

⁹ Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours of daylight? Anyone who walks in the daytime will not stumble, for they see by this world’s light. ¹⁰ It is when a person walks at night that they stumble, for they have no light.”

¹¹ After he had said this, he went on to tell them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him up.”

¹² His disciples replied, “Lord, if he sleeps, he will get better.” ¹³ Jesus had been speaking of his death, but his disciples thought he meant natural sleep.

¹⁴ So then he told them plainly, “Lazarus is dead, ¹⁵ and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.”

¹⁶ Then Thomas (also known as Didymus) said to the rest of the disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.”

¹⁷ On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. ¹⁸ Now Bethany was less than two miles from Jerusalem, ¹⁹ and many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them in the loss of their brother. ²⁰ When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home.

²¹ “Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. ²² But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.”

²³ Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.”

²⁴ Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”

²⁵ Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; ²⁶ and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

²⁷ “Yes, Lord,” she replied, “I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.”

²⁸ After she had said this, she went back and called her sister Mary aside. “The Teacher is here,” she said, “and is asking for you.” ²⁹ When Mary heard this, she got up quickly and went to him. ³⁰ Now Jesus had not yet entered the village, but was still at the place where Martha had met him. ³¹ When the Jews who had been with Mary in the house, comforting her, noticed how quickly she got up and went out, they followed her, supposing she was going to the tomb to mourn there.

³² When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.”

³³ When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. ³⁴ “Where have you laid him?” he asked.

“Come and see, Lord,” they replied.

³⁵ Jesus wept.

³⁶ Then the Jews said, “See how he loved him!”

³⁷ But some of them said, “Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?”

³⁸ Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. ³⁹ “Take away the stone,” he said.

“But, Lord,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man, “by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.”

⁴⁰ Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?”

⁴¹ So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. ⁴² I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.”

⁴³ When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” ⁴⁴ The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face.

Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.”

⁴⁵ Therefore many of the Jews who had come to visit Mary, and had seen what Jesus did, believed in him. ⁴⁶ But some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done. ⁴⁷ Then the chief priests and the Pharisees called a meeting of the Sanhedrin.

“What are we accomplishing?” they asked. “Here is this man performing many signs. ⁴⁸ If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and then the Romans will come and take away both our temple and our nation.”

⁴⁹ Then one of them, named Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, spoke up, “You know nothing at all! ⁵⁰ You do not realize that it is better for you that one man die for the people than that the whole nation perish.”

⁵¹ He did not say this on his own, but as high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the Jewish nation, ⁵² and not only for that nation but also for the scattered children of God, to bring them together and make them one. ⁵³ So from that day on they plotted to take his life.

Dead Ain’t Dead-Come Out!

Lord, breathe your Holy Spirit into my dry bones, connect me securely in Your grace, that I may rise, hear Your voice, read Your Word, and live a new life in You. Bring me from death to life in you.

I’m deep and buried in the depths of my sin. I need you, Jesus! I need you to pull me out of this tomb in which I live. This tomb of my sinfulness. I need you, Jesus! Call me to your Light and raise me up. I need you, Jesus!

My body will die, no doubt, at least if Jesus doesn’t return first. My body is subject to death because of my sin, but Jesus came to be sin for me, that in him I might live through the Spirit of God and become the righteousness of God. (2 Corinthians 5:21)

This is a time just before Jesus would suffer and be crucified.

Bethany was a small town just a couple of miles from Jerusalem. Not very far at all. Martha and Mary were a couple of Jesus’ disciples. Martha had a heart full of service, and Mary was a devotional type of person. Both were compliments, to what a disciple is and could be throughout time. And Lazarus, this Lazarus, is only mentioned in the Gospels here. Lazarus is sick at this moment. He’s not the same Lazarus, the beggar, in the account of the great chasm between himself and the rich man, commonly spoken of, named Dives.

Jesus response to the illness of Lazarus, illustrates His knowledge and understanding of God’s will in His life for this particular situation. He’s not in a panic. Really, death, to Jesus, is no reason to panic. Sort of seems strange, but when you think about Jesus as the Author of Life, what’s death? Jesus knows God’s timing after all.

And this slowness to act on Jesus’ part, does not mean that He doesn’t have a deep love for Mary, Martha and Lazarus. Jesus does love all of them. Jesus loves them very deeply.

It’s not that Jesus is afraid to go back to Judea, it’s not that He’s worried about a small trip. It seems to me that Jesus is, once again, going to carry out God’s will in this situation, that will lead Him towards the plan for all creation. We’ll get to that meaning, as we go along in this Gospel account.

And then, Jesus, speaking of Lazarus illness, tells His disciples that Lazarus has fallen asleep. Well, Mary, Martha, and those close to them, understand and witness that Lazarus is dead. But what is dead to us, may not seem like dead to Jesus.

But this sleep that Jesus is speaking of IS death. The disciples presumed that if Lazarus was sleeping, it wasn’t death and he would heal and get better. There’s something more brewing in this pot!

Once again, as in the past few weeks; Jesus is leading us along and teaching us about physical verses spiritual things. He’s helping us to understand a deeper meaning to our relationship with God as believers.

Finally, Jesus makes it plain and simple. Lazarus is dead!

But dead ain’t dead to Jesus. So, Thomas figured that going back to the dangers of Judea would surely be the death of Jesus as well. And it was, sort of. But remember, once again, to Jesus, dead ain’t dead.

When Jesus and His disciples arrive to Mary, Martha, and family; Lazarus was good and dead. Like four days gone! Stinky dead!

They arrived to Bethany. Now Bethany was only a couple of miles from Jerusalem. Jesus had just been to Jerusalem for the Feast of Dedication, and He made the Jews so mad at Him, for witnessing that His work was God’s work, that they ran Him out of town and tried to stone Him to death. So, you can see why going back that close to Jerusalem was why His disciples feared for Jesus’ life. Surely this time, this close, the Jews would take care of Jesus and kill Him. Remember, that the people that came to console Martha and Mary were Jews also. Maybe including a few of the same Jews that ran Jesus out of town.

As Martha went to meet Jesus, she believed in Jesus. She had faith enough to believe that if Jesus had been there a bit earlier, He would have healed her brother, Lazarus. But that’s not what is going on here. Jesus knows that a bigger plan is taking place. Lazarus will rise again… and then again. But who can grasp that idea! Even if you believe, you think it’s “one and done,” but in this case that will not be true.

Think of your Baptism… How you went under the waters. Think about living your own baptism, day after day. Each day, you go under the waters, to die to sin, and rise to new life with God, in and through His forgiveness and grace. Keep that image in the back of your mind here.

Let’s go on… Martha displays her faith in the “resurrection of the dead,” on the last day. But it’s not that time just yet. And Jesus points out this distinction and difference between this coming act, and the fact that Jesus IS, or better yet I AM the resurrection and the life. If you believe, remember, dead ain’t dead to Jesus. If you believe, even though you die, you will live through what Jesus does for you, me, and the world. There’s that physical to spiritual meanings that Jesus has been teaching all along.

Do you believe in Jesus?

And Jesus keeps calling us out. Here it’s Martha… Do you believe in Jesus? If so, say so! Not only do you believe in Jesus, but do you believe He is the Messiah, like He says He is?

And the first thing Martha does, is call out her sister Mary. Come and see Jesus. He is here. That’s a witness of faith.

As Mary comes out to see Jesus, He has compassion on her and weeps with her in her grief. Jesus knows how it is to feel human too. Jesus knows emotions and understands our deepest needs and desires, especially in our love for one another. And in this case in our mourning over the death of a dear brother.

And with this is my favorite memory verse of the Bible. It’s an easy one to remember. John 11:35, “Jesus wept.” There is a deep connection with us there. Jesus knows how it is. It’s so much more than two words. It’s a relationship with Jesus on an intimate level, that shows deep love.

But next comes doubt. We all tend to let some doubt enter into a deep emotion. Is this real or not? Well, it’s real! But the crowd shows their doubt. Why couldn’t Jesus have been here on time? He can heal the blind, but He can’t show up in time to heal a good friend of His? Come on, Jesus! We doubt and we judge. That’s me too. How many times have I second guessed some action of God, or some action of another person? There’s more to this than what we obviously see here.

Remember that Jesus was truly human. He had human emotions and knew pain. Jesus knows the pain and sorrow over the death of a loved one.  Yet Jesus has authority over sin and death. In this He can boldly state to move the stone away from the cave that held Lazarus body. God is action here. God is acting in His power over death, that brings hope to all believers who die, trusting in God and God alone for life, ever-lasting life, in God’s Kingdom, forever.

And as the blind man can attest, faith in Jesus goes beyond death. First, we have faith, then we have sight; sight to see the “Light of God” in Christ Jesus. And in this as always, Jesus shows us how to pray with thankful hearts. There is a miracle of God happening here. We pray and yes, God acts. Sometimes God acts with miracles. And Jesus models a prayer, not for self, as we often do, but for those around Him. Why? So that they may see, have open eyes, and witness God in action.

And in the face of death from an open tomb, Jesus issues a command. Jesus has power over death. This is a pre-shadowing of Jesus own resurrection to come. Jesus commands for Lazarus to “Come out!” Now, Jesus issues a second command to unwrap Lazarus and release him from the bondage of death.

And that’s what Jesus does for all who use the faith God gives, to believe in Jesus. Jesus releases believers from the bondage of death. See, hear and believe it. This IS a miracle to bring you to believe in the power of God in Jesus over sin and death. Do you see it? Jesus restores the community of believers to a NEW Life in Him. As we raise day after day from the waters of our baptism, we are brought, and restored to New Life in God. The stench of our sin and death is gone.

Talk about a gathering of some people to witness a miracle! This group of Jews were likely friends of Martha, Mary and Lazarus, but it may be some others came also to be official mourners. Mourners were common in this day and time. But even after witnessing this miracle, word would quickly spread. That’s what it’s like. So, there is some great importance in our witness to how God is active in our lives, even in miracles which we may not realize as being miracles. There are miracles all around us, but these God given miracles are real miracles, not just some great thing that happens.

At the heart of some testimonies is the need to go and tell some people that may or may not be offended. So, of course, some of the witnesses were really more like gossipers, and run to tell the religious authorities, to warn them, or to get them involved for really no good reason, other than they may be skeptical of the miracle they just witnessed.

So, when the Chief priests and the Pharisees get word of this miracle that Jesus performed, they feel threatened that they just may lose face, or power, or influence over their followers. This miracle becomes a threat to them that they must deal with the consequences.  They fear losing control of the people and that people will leave their own influence and power over them, to follow Jesus instead. It’s important to realize that our own control over a situation, pales in comparison to the true truth and power of God over all situations. Don’t struggle over power with God. Instead, stand in awe of God’s power and praise Him in all His works, giving thanks. Some things are in God’s ultimate plan and salvation, not yours. You can’t save yourself anyway.

And here, Caiaphas takes a dangerous stand publicly, and fails to recognize Jesus as the Messiah. Or does he really? Caiaphas was willing to compromise, in order to attempt to maintain his power and authority over the people and his colleagues. Oh, how it’s easy to give in to the truth when one’s pride gets in the way. I’m guilty here as well. Forgive me, Lord Jesus!

And in Caiaphas statement that it be better that one man die than for the whole Jewish nation to perish, Caiaphas lays down a judgment against God’s very own plan of salvation for all people of this world, in what was soon to take place in Jesus’ suffering, death, resurrection and ascension, that will save all who come to believe in His forgiveness and grace, in His defeat of sin and death.

So, from that day on, the religious leaders plotted to kill Jesus. Lord, save us from such prideful judgment and actions. Forgive us our sins.

So, what do I make of this week’s study of this passage of Scripture?

God has a plan, and will carry out that plan. It’s a plan that I could never imagine if I were present in that day and time. I give thanks for the witnesses to what happened here and those that recorded this miracle of God in Jesus. Yet, having the testaments of these people of the past, I can see how God is active over death. Death is not the end. My sin points me to the fact that I need a Savior to forgive me, release me from death and to raise me to new life in Him.

I recall that day after day, I fall to sin. I die to my sinful self and lose all hope. Yet, in the same way, day after day, as through my baptism, God claims my dead self, and raises me up. Yes, God calls me out of the tomb in which I belong, each day, to give me life and give me spiritual gifts to go out. “Billy, come out!” That’s the cry I hear from the Voice that bids me to begin anew each day. Come out and bear the fruit with which I have had you bear. Come out to do God’s will. Will I hear that will of God? Surely so, I pray.

So, just as Jesus defeated sin on the cross, and just as Jesus defeated death in His resurrection, He calls me, and all disciples who believe in Him, to new life, in new ways, to serve Him in His Kingdom, here on earth and in heaven forever.

So, “COME OUT!” We have work to do. We have work to do in the joy of what Jesus has done for us… today… tomorrow… and forever. Thanks be to God!

May you enjoy this YouTube Music Video that I reflected upon this last week…

“Come Out Lazarus!”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hw5T2NvbSnI&list=RDhw5T2NvbSnI&start_radio=1

Open Eyes That See - John 9 - Fourth Week of Lent

 

John 9 NIV

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

³ “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him. ⁴ As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. ⁵ While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”

⁶ After saying this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man’s eyes. ⁷ “Go,” he told him, “wash in the Pool of Siloam” (this word means “Sent”). So the man went and washed, and came home seeing.

⁸ His neighbors and those who had formerly seen him begging asked, “Isn’t this the same man who used to sit and beg?” ⁹ Some claimed that he was.

Others said, “No, he only looks like him.”

But he himself insisted, “I am the man.”

¹⁰ “How then were your eyes opened?” they asked.

¹¹ He replied, “The man they call Jesus made some mud and put it on my eyes. He told me to go to Siloam and wash. So I went and washed, and then I could see.”

¹² “Where is this man?” they asked him.

“I don’t know,” he said.

¹³ They brought to the Pharisees the man who had been blind. ¹⁴ Now the day on which Jesus had made the mud and opened the man’s eyes was a Sabbath. ¹⁵ Therefore the Pharisees also asked him how he had received his sight. “He put mud on my eyes,” the man replied, “and I washed, and now I see.”

¹⁶ Some of the Pharisees said, “This man is not from God, for he does not keep the Sabbath.”

But others asked, “How can a sinner perform such signs?” So they were divided.

¹⁷ Then 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.”

¹⁸ They still did not believe that he had been blind and had received his sight until they sent for the man’s parents. ¹⁹ “Is this your son?” they asked. “Is this the one you say was born blind? How is it that now he can see?”

²⁰ “We know he is our son,” the parents answered, “and we know he was born blind. ²¹ But how he can see now, or who opened his eyes, we don’t know. Ask him. He is of age; he will speak for himself.” ²² His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders, who already had decided that anyone who acknowledged that Jesus was the Messiah would be put out of the synagogue. ²³ That was why his parents said, “He is of age; ask him.”

²⁴ A second time they summoned the man who had been blind. “Give glory to God by telling the truth,” they said. “We know this man is a sinner.”

²⁵ 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!”

²⁶ Then they asked him, “What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?”

²⁷ He answered, “I have told you already and you did not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you want to become his disciples too?”

²⁸ Then they hurled insults at him and said, “You are this fellow’s disciple! We are disciples of Moses! ²⁹ We know that God spoke to Moses, but as for this fellow, we don’t even know where he comes from.”

³⁰ The man answered, “Now that is remarkable! You don’t know where he comes from, yet he opened my eyes. ³¹ We know that God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the godly person who does his will. ³² Nobody has ever heard of opening the eyes of a man born blind. ³³ If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.”

³⁴ To this they replied, “You were steeped in sin at birth; how dare you lecture us!” And they threw him out.

³⁵ Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, and when he found him, he said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?”

³⁶ “Who is he, sir?” the man asked. “Tell me so that I may believe in him.”

³⁷ Jesus said, “You have now seen him; in fact, he is the one speaking with you.”

³⁸ Then the man said, “Lord, I believe,” and he worshiped him.

³⁹ Jesus said, “For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind.”

⁴⁰ Some Pharisees who were with him heard him say this and asked, “What? Are we blind too?”

⁴¹ Jesus said, “If you were blind, you would not be guilty of sin; but now that you claim you can see, your guilt remains.

 

Open Eyes That See

Lead me in my blindness to see Your face each and every day, moment and minute of my life, O Lord.

Just like the man born blind, we cry out, we beg for attention; and look, see, Jesus responds with compassion and grace to our needs out of His endless love. What a God we have!

Out of the darkness of my blind eyes and my blind heart, Jesus calls me into His Light. Thanks be to God!

Jesus is very perceptive to His surroundings, especially when it comes to those in need. Here Jesus notices the blind man. Here Jesus draws His attention to a need, and He draws the attention of His disciples to notice what, and who, is right in their midst. Who’s that? A blind man in need of healing that will be used by God to proclaim “Light” and “Life,” freely given by Jesus to this man and to ALL people as well.

Jesus’ perception goes beyond a physical need of sight for this one man. Jesus begins to draw us in to the contrast between the physical need of sight, and the spiritual need of sight. Once again, like the last few weeks, Jesus leads us from the physical world to the spiritual world.

The Jews would understand blindness as a result of some sin by either the man, or his relatives. But that’s not the truth. Jesus plays an important role here for all to see. Jesus is the Light of the World, and in this role, He brings both physical and spiritual sight, to this man, and to the world as well.

Physical blindness is something we can witness, in this world in which we live. Spiritual blindness is much deeper, and hides our ability to sense spiritual truth. Both the physical and the spiritual are opportunities for God to act, for God to transform lives. How does this happen? God gives us the faith we need, to see the spiritual realities of His salvation, and in other ways, physical healing at times, to use our physical situations to reveal a spiritual message.

So, when we struggle in our physical beings, and when we struggle with our spiritual situations; God can and does use our struggle to show us His plan for our lives and the lives of His people.

But, healing, if physical or spiritual, needs obedience to God’s instructions. Here the man must use the faith that God gives him to follow Jesus’ instructions. As we are changed by Jesus’ healing, no matter if physical or spiritual, we respond by telling others, or witnessing what God has done in our lives, to those God places in our lives. We share how Jesus changes us freely and openly.

But, as other people notice the change in our lives, many will question what has occurred. Many of our friends may doubt this change as an act. Why? Because they struggle with sin and the consequences of sin. Why did God choose to change you or me, or this blind man? I’m sure that he, or you, or I, did something to deserve this blindness, physical or spiritual. That’s the attitude some will take with our healing from God, either physical, or spiritual.

But in this, we also, as we look upon the spiritually blind or the physically blind; we must be careful not to judge the “other.” After all, even here, Jesus emphasized that not all suffering is a consequence of sin. Our blindness may reveal how Jesus IS THE “Light of the World,” as He acts and shows His ultimate word of Salvation that unites humanity with God once again, as always intended.

This healing of the blind man is an extraordinary miracle using Jesus’ power over creation to display how He interacts with the physical and the spiritual realms.

So, Jesus after making the mud with dirt and saliva sends the man to wash at the Pool of Siloam. This pool was an important place in Jerusalem. This pool was fed by the Gihon Spring through Hezekiah’s Tunnel and was used for ritual purification.

Remember last week when Jesus met the Woman at the well? Jesus told her that He was Living Water. Well, Living Water to the Jews at this time, was water which came from a spring or possibly a brook that flowed continuously, always replenishing the pools in which people went for ritual cleansing. So, once a person was declared “unclean” they would wash in such a pool to be ritually clean. But these pools were all manmade pools for the most part. Man cannot cleanse himself by any action, or pool that he makes for himself. The only true source of “Living Water” is Jesus Himself. It’s not about how we cleanse ourselves from sin that makes any difference. It’s only through the cleansing from Jesus, the true “Living Water” from God that cleanses us. So, even though Jesus touched many unclean, or sinful people, including you and me, He never became unclean through His own actions, or sinful Himself. He couldn’t become unclean by His actions, or sinful. But He could take on our uncleanliness, our sin, to make us clean. Wow! That’s a Savior!

What’s the significance of following Jesus’ command to go and wash?

Once again, it’s the faithful following of Jesus’ instructions by the blind man or someone being healed by Jesus. To be healed, sometimes we need to be faithful to God, and to use the faith God gives us to respond.

And again, when others see our healing, they may doubt the reality of it all. They may think it’s just an act. But as we witness to what has changed us and healed us, we begin to “Point to Jesus.” We point to the “Light of the World.” We witness to a power that shows the works and identity of Jesus as the Messiah.

And as we testify, or “Point to Jesus,” we encourage those around us to go after, or follow, Jesus in their own lives. Chasing down Jesus is a good thing too. Sure, Jesus chases us down as well, but when we see Him, we need to run to Him!

Well, since Jesus performed this healing on the Sabbath, the people question Jesus’ authority to do this. Really? So, they brought the man to the religious leaders, the Pharisees, to show them what had happened. I mean, how could you doubt what happened? But I suppose there will always be those that are wanting to hold some power to judge, over the truth, of what has already taken place.

Jesus made the mud and did the healing on the Sabbath. That alone demonstrates through this healing miracle, that Jesus was the Top Dog, even over any Sabbath rules that man has made. After all, Jesus restored sight to the man who believed and acted out in faith.

It’s funny how the Pharisees question the man as to how he was healed. He made mud and told me to go wash. Come on! Can’t you see, I can, see? But that’s not what the Pharisees were driving at. They believe that their laws have authority over what can and can’t be done on the Sabbath, even if it is for the good of this blind man that now sees.

So, the Pharisees get in a huff about Jesus. They declare that Jesus can’t be a “Man of God.” He wouldn’t do such a thing on the Sabbath! How dare He?! So, like it seems to happen here, and in the church of today, an argument and a split takes place.  Go figure!

And then, as if this blind man, who now can see, they question him again how his healing took place. Like an ongoing inquisition is going to change the truth of the matter. So, let’s not believe he was blind from birth. Really? How does that change anything? He was blind but now he sees. So, let’s go get the blind man’s parents and find out if this man was really born blind. Talk about fishing for some excuse to deny reality!

Well, that takes the Pharisees nowhere. The truth of the healing is still the truth, no matter who is questioned.

As the parents are afraid to “rock the boat,” they refer the Pharisees back to their son for his testimony again. And testify, this healed man, certainly does, even if it is to the displeasure of the authorities. That says something for having the internal fortitude that God gives people who have been changed by God to speak truth to the face of worldly power. May we all stand up when called!

Well, now the Pharisees call forth the previously blind man and question him as to how he gained his sight. Now who is blind? The Pharisees believe that Jesus is a sinner, because he did not uphold what they believe to be the truth of Law, that forbids Jesus’ healing this blind man on a Sabbath. Seems, to me, that now the Pharisees are blinded by their own misunderstandings.

How many times have I been blinded by my misunderstandings? Especially when I judge another person unjustly. When I place my actions over and against the good actions of another neighbor, then I am the blind one. Judging by your own standards, or even misunderstood standards that are created upon what I think God desires, is a sin. I need God to point this out to me. I need to seek forgiveness as well, just like the Pharisees, have judged Jesus to be a sinner, because he loved a blind man and healed him, even on the Sabbath.

The blind man responds to the Pharisees judgment of Jesus as a sinner with honest truth, and not further judgment. He knows that now he can see. He doesn’t judge Jesus as sinner or not. His spirit is now awake to the love of God in Christ Jesus, and he let’s the world know that! The blind man’s physical eyes are now open along with his spiritual eyes as well. Shouldn’t we all face this openly and acknowledge how God opens our eyes, and tell all the world how that was done for us, on a personal level?

But, even with this testimony, some will question the truth of it all. You can’t do much about that but to proclaim the truth of God active in your own life and let others think what they will. In this case, the Pharisee’s are spiritually blind. So, pray that God may open their eyes as well, someday, somehow.

Then I think the blind man had had enough of all this questioning of how he regained his sight. And he gets a little snarky with the Pharisees. I can’t blame him. I’m afraid I would have sinned with some smart remark much worse.

And this is when the Pharisees become defensive. This will lead to no good solution. And the insults begin to fly. Sounds so familiar with how today, we commonly interact with one another, especially over subjects that are closer to our hearts. It goes nowhere good.

Just like what would later happen to Jesus at His crucifixion, and His coming rejection by the religious leaders; the Pharisees, threw the blind man out for his testimony about Jesus. Expect to be rejected for your testimony of Jesus yourself. It’s not uncommon, but you must be a true disciple and follower of Jesus.

After the blind man was thrown out of the presence of the Pharisees, Jesus finds him. Don’t you just love how Jesus comes when we need Him? Jesus tests the man’s faith and testimony, by asking him if he believes in Him (Jesus) as the Son of Man. Why? So, that the blind man can attest to his belief and move to a deeper understanding, from physical healing to spiritual healing. Jesus is always teaching us along the way, and leading us into the presence of the Holy Spirit.

The man truly wants to know Jesus. This shows his desire to understand on a much deeper level just who Jesus really is. Reminds me of the questions Nicodemus had, as well. This search, even in the presence of God, is a good thing. If we doubt, we can surely turn directly to God, here in Jesus, to seek knowledge that will lead us to believe in God.

And Jesus answer to the man born blind? Jesus tells him that He is the One. Jesus tells us many times that He is the Messiah. Listen to Him, hear the Word, look and see the Light, and believe! Confess your belief in God and worship God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.

Jesus now confirms that he came, physical in flesh and blood, to lead us to the spiritual reality with Him, that ALL may come to believe. He came to open the eyes of the spiritually blind, and for those who choose otherwise, well that’s up to them to turn away.

And some of the Pharisees find out that they may be able to physically see, but their spiritual sight isn’t present as of yet. Will this change? We pray so, for this is, as Nicodemus learned, a spiritual rebirth, or born again.

So, as I follow along with this passage of Scripture, I realize those times that I may too be spiritually blind. What do I do with this? For me, it is turn to Scripture, Sacraments, like Baptism and Communion, and look and listen for what God has to say. To run to Jesus to confess my sin, and to seek Him out to open my eyes to what He would have me hear and see. And it seems that when I run to Jesus, I find that He has already noticed me and is seeking me out, to open my eyes to Him.

And then it’s to obey the commands of Jesus. And then it’s to stand up tall and worship Him even in those difficult encounters with both the religious leaders and the political leaders of this day. All the while professing what God has done, personally in my life, telling the truth of it all in a straightforward, honest, testimony, of God’s presence with me in my life.

At times we all are blind. At times we can’t see. At times it looks like a fog. But only through the power of Jesus can this fog be lifted, our sight be made clear, and our message be of truth.

Sure, “Come, Lord, Jesus, Come!” … today… tomorrow… and forever. Thanks be to God!

Please enjoy this YouTube Music Video that I used during this reflection for inspiration…

“And Now My Lifesong Sings”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iLXDsWDetak&list=RDiLXDsWDetak&start_radio=1

 

photo courtesy of http://www.gerhardy.id.au/lent4_08.htm