Dear Explorer,
Read John 9:6-34
Irrefutable testimony is found in John 9:25: "I won't debate theology with you, all I know is that I was blind and now I can see." You can argue and debate all you want to, but when Jesus touches a life, it is forever different. And the one who has encountered God, KNOWS it!
Here, the man states clearly that when you have an encounter with God, you will know it was God!
A Sarah Groves song states "I'm not saying I've found truth, but I know it has found me!"
When Jesus comes in and cleanses us and makes His home in our emptiness -- there's something different and we know it. We may not be able to explain it, but we know it.
God is very interested in your "knowing". Over 1500 times in the New Testament alone, the word "know," "knew," or "known" is used indicating that God places a high priority in your knowledge and understanding.
In this passage, personal knowledge and experience with God surpasses religious doctrine, family ties or community.
Are you filled with Jesus? Do you KNOW it?
Read John 9:35-38
Look carefully at John 9:38. What did the healed man do when he discovered who Jesus was?
He worshipped Him.
I'm going to repeat it again, because it's vital that you know: Jesus was not a great teacher, a prophet, or just a good man if He is going to stand there and allow this man to worship Him.
Re-read Matthew 4:10
This is a verse that Jesus quoted to Satan during His time of temptation after His baptism. Yet, He allowed the man to worship Him. Why? Because He WAS God!
Read John 9:39-41
Why did Jesus say that He came into the world?
He came to help the blind see, and to blind the seeing. Of course, this is talking about spiritual blindness not physical.
We've talked before that Jesus can't fill your empty core if you won't admit that you are empty and need Him. We talked on Day 97 about needing to realize how empty we are before we can be filled.
Jesus will not force you to invite Him in!
My oldest child, Jeremy, had constant ear infections as a baby. We were always giving him his "pink bubble gum" medicine (Amoxicillin) and he hated it with a passion. The last day I forced it down him stands out in my memory. He was close to two years old and stronger than I was. I trapped him flat on his back in the center of the living room floor and sat with my legs over his chest. My husband usually held both of his hands while I tried to squeeze the little syringe of medicine into his mouth. But on this particular day, my husband was at work. I tried every way I knew to get him pinned down enough to get that medicine in him. But when I finally got it into his mouth, he tried a new tactic and spit it full in my face. And I got mad. Not at him - but at the circumstance we were in. I got mad that he couldn't understand the need for the medicine. I got mad that I hadn't had any sleep for weeks. And I got mad at doctors who expect mothers to know how to get medicine down kids! I started smearing that pink medicine all over him (including his ears) and it turned into a big giggling sticky mess! Then we both sat in the bathtub and cried.
Funny, but I don't remember having any battles after that over the medicine. Somehow, I think he figured out it was dangerous to push this crazy lady too far!
Jesus doesn't force His Good News on anyone. He simply contrasted His way with their way. Sight or blindness? You choose.
You don't have to force it on anyone either. Your job is to be light and spread the Good News. If you are filled with peace and love and joy others can see the difference and choose whether they want to invite Jesus into their empty spot.
In His service, dale
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