Well, Here Is an Amazing Thing…

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Well, Here Is an Amazing Thing…

Some things are amazing.     For instance,  it is much better  to be the least  in the kingdom of heaven  than it is  to be the greatest  out of it.

John 9:1-41  presents an illustration of this.     In this account,  Jesus healed a man who was born blind.     No one could figure out  how this guy was able  to see.     They were so accustomed  to seeing him beg  for a living  because of his blindness,  but now he had sight.     When this man said  that Jesus healed him,  the religious leaders really got upset  because it took place  on a Sabbath.

The religious leaders drilled the man  and his parents.     The man claimed Jesus had to be a prophet  to be able  to do this.     The religious leaders,  who had studied scripture  from their youth,  could not accept that  because working on a Sabbath  was forbidden.     In verse 24,  the religious leaders vehemently said,  “Give glory to God;  we know that this man  [Jesus]  is a sinner.”

The healed man,  boldly replied,  “Whether He is a sinner,  I do not know;  one thing I do know,  that,  whereas I was blind,  now I see.”     In other words,  he was sticking  to his guns  that Jesus had to be a man  of God.

When the religious experts claimed  that they believed the words  of Moses,  but didn’t even know  where Jesus was from,  the healed man could only say,

Well,  here is an amazing thing,  that you do not know  where He is from,  and yet  He opened my eyes.    We know  that God does not hear sinners;  but  if any one is God-fearing,  and does His will,  He hears him.    

Since the beginning of time  it has never been heard  that any one opened the eyes  of a person born blind.     If this man  were not  from God,  He could do nothing.

This so angered the religious experts  that they retorted,

You were born entirely  in sins,  and are you  teaching us?

This poor beggar was kicked out of the temple  and  considered  [by the religious experts]  to be an unsaved sinner  because he was born blind.     The truth of the matter was  that this beggar had always trusted God.     The religious experts despised him,  but God dearly loved him  for his faith.

The bottom line:   the religious experts  were considered great  in the eyes of the community,  but they actually  were not  in the kingdom  of God.     The beggar was considered  a sinner  because he was born blind,  but really,  he was one  of God’s saints.

In this world,  we see people  who proudly flaunt their superior knowledge,  their riches,  their strength,  their expertise — but,  none of that  will let them  into the kingdom  of God.     Consequently,  all that they are proud of  is worthless  in the eyes of God.     They are unsaved.

But,  the poor person,  who is despised  by the world,  but has faith  in God,  is actually eternally rich  with blessings forever more.    It’s an amazing thing…     Jesus has proven His Lordship  in so many ways — and yet,  so many self-proclaimed  smart people  find it hard  to put 2 and 2 together.

Where do we stand?

Trusting  in the Lord  for all of our needs,  we say,  “Hallelujah!     Lord,  You provide  for me  day by day  and teach me Your way,  step by step.     Keep my eyes open  to Your loving care.”

Love,
Margaret

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A Christian devotional to glorify the LORD of lords and God of gods

 

Pray for our country.

 

This is the day which the LORD has made;
Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24

 

The word of the LORD is tried;
He is a shield  to all  who take refuge  in Him.
Psalm 18:30

 

Sing for joy in the LORD,  O you righteous ones;
Praise is becoming  to the upright.
Psalm 33:1

 

How blessed are those  who dwell in Thy house!
They are ever praising Thee.
Psalm 84:4

 

Just as a father has compassion  on his children,
So the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him.
Psalm 103:13

 

Oh give thanks to the LORD,  for He is good;
For His lovingkindness is everlasting.
Psalm 107:1

 

Glory in His holy name;
Let the heart of those who seek the LORD be glad.
Psalm 105:3

 

Not that I have already obtained it, or have already become perfect, but I press on in order that
I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:12

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