The Pharisees Question About the Blind Man

John 9:13-34, "They brought to the Pharisees the man who had been blind from birth. The day Jesus had healed him was on the Sabbath. They questioned him how he had received his sight. He told them He had placed mud on his eyes and told him to go and wash and he was able to see. Some of the Pharisees said, 'This man is not from GOD for He does not keep the Sabbath.' Others asked, 'How can a sinner do miraculous signs?' The Jews did not believe he was blind until they brought his parents. (The parents confirmed their son's blindness from birth.) Because they were afraid of the Jews, they said they didn't know Who made him to see again. The Jews had decided that anyone who acknowledged that Jesus was the Christ would be put out of the synagogue (excommunicated). A second time they called the man who had been blind from birth, but now sees. They asked him again how his sight had been restored. They told him to give glory to GOD, for this Man was a sinner. The man with restored sight replied, 'I don't know about that. All I know is I was blind but now I see.' They asked him again how he received his sight. He answered, 'I already told you and you did not listen! Do you want to hear it again so you can become His disciples?' The Pharisees hurled insults at him. He replied to them, 'You don't know where He comes from, yet He healed my eyes. If this Man were not from GOD, He could do nothing.' The Pharisees replied, 'You who were steeped in sin being blind from birth dare lecture us! And they threw him out!" 

"There is none so blind than those who refuse to see." (John Heywood, 1546) Restated from Jeremiah 5:21.

Jeremiah 5:21, 24 "Hear this you foolish and sinful people, who have eyes but do not see, who have ears and do not hear...they do not say to themselves, 'Let us fear the LORD our GOD.' "

People who refuse to see and hear, it becomes: "It's like talking to a brick wall." Oscar Wilde.

The Bible states that after awhile, he will give these people over to their depraved minds. See Romans 1:28, "Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to know the knowledge of GOD, He gave them over to a depraved mind and to do what ought not to be done."

"GOD (His Spirit) will not always strive with (unbelieving) man (spirit) ." Genesis 6:3. The commentary shares to unbelievers, "GOD shows great patience with 'unbelievers'. He gives time to quit living (in sin) and begin living
for Him. Your time may be running out." No one is guaranteed his next breath of life. 

1 Corinthians 6:2, "I tell you, now is the time of GOD's favor, now is the day of salvation." If you don't know Jesus Christ as your LORD and Savior, now is the time to come to Him and find out! Repent of you sin and accept His death on the Cross for your sins and His Holy Spirit will enter you and you will KNOW His truths of salvation and everlasting life with Him in all His glory forevermore!

Matthew 11:28, "Jesus said, 'Come to Me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you for I Am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls."

Jesus Heals the Man Who was Blind From Birth

John 9:1-12, "As (Jesus) 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?' Jesus said, 'Neither this man nor his parents sin, but this happened so that the work of GOD be displayed in his life. As long as it is day, we must do the work of Him Who sent Me. Night is coming, when no one can work. While I Am in the world, I Am the Light of the world.' Having said this He spit on the ground, made some mud with His saliva and put it on the man's eyes and told him, 'Go wash in the Pool of Siloam' (This word means sent.) So the man went and washed coming home seeing. His neighbors who had seen him begging asked, 'Isn't this the same man who used to sit and beg?' Some said it was, others said he looked to be the same man. But he himself said, 'I am the man.' They inquired how his eyes were opened. He replied, 'The man they call Jesus made some mud and put it on my eyes. He told me to go to the Pool of Siloam and wash. So I went and washed, and then I could see.' They asked him, 'Where is this man?' He replied, 'I don't know.' "

There are four different reactions to Jesus. 1. The neighbor revealed surprise and skepticism 2. The Pharisees showed disbelief and prejudice 3. The parents believed but kept quiet for fear of excommunication 4. The healed man showed consistent, growing faith.

Each reaction to Jesus allowed the man to reach a clearer understanding of the One Who had healed him. A common belief of Jewish culture was that calamity or suffering was the result of some great sin. But GOD in His foreknowledge used the man's suffering from blindness to teach about faith and to glorify GOD. We live in a fallen world where good behavior is not always rewarded and bad behavior is not always punished. Therefore innocent people sometimes suffer. If GOD took suffering away whenever we asked, we would follow Him for comfort and convenience, not out of love and devotion. Regardless of the reasons for our suffering, Jesus has the power to help us deal with it. When suffering from a disease, tragedy, or disability, try not to ask, "Why did this happen to me?" or "What did I do wrong?" Instead, ask GOD to give you strength for the trial and a clearer perspective on what is happening. (Bible commentary)

Those in Christ have the great hope of knowing one day the things of this fallen world will be no more and we in our new bodies will in eternity be rewarded for our faith in Father GOD, our Savior Jesus, and His Holy Spirit in us! There will be no more suffering, sickness, disease, discomfort, sorrow, heartache, or the other emotions that go with living in a fallen body. 

His Word tells us in 1 Corinthians 2:9, "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what GOD has prepared for those who love Him."
   

Jesus States He Is Eternal

John 8:48-59, "The Jews answered Him, 'Aren't we right in saying that you are a Samaritan and demon possessed?' Jesus said, 'I Am not possessed by a demon, but I honor My Father and you dishonor Me. I Am not seeking glory for Myself, but there is One Who seeks it and He is the Judge. I tell you the truth, if anyone keeps My Word, he will never see death.' At this the Jews exclaimed, 'Now we know that you are demon possessed! Abraham died and so did the prophets, yet you say that if anyone keeps your word, he will never taste death. Are you greater than our father Abraham? He died and so did the prophets. Who do you think you are!' Jesus replied, 'If I glorify Myself, My glory means nothing. My Father whom you claim to be your GOD is the One Who glorifies Me. Though you do not know Him, I know Him. If I said I did not, I would be a liar like you, but I do know Him and keep His Word. Your father Abraham rejoiced at the thought of seeing My day, he saw it and was glad.' The Jews said to Him, 'You are not yet fifty years old and You have seen Abraham!' Jesus answered, 'I tell you the truth, before Abraham was, I Am!' At this they picked up stones to stone Him, but Jesus hid Himself, slipping away from the temple grounds."

Jesus is GOD in the flesh. He is the Creator of all things. He rose from the dead. (Matthew 28:6, Mark 16:6, Luke 24:6, John 20:13-14)

Those that are in Christ will not see death for to be absent from the body (physical death) we are present with the LORD. (2 Corinthians 5:6-8) If you do not know the LORD you will be absent from your body (physical death), but you will be in Hades awaiting judgment. Death is not a going out of existence, only a temporary separation until judgment; Christians at the Judgment Seat of Christ will be for receiving rewards. Unbelievers will be at the Great White Throne Judgment for eternal punishment in the Lake of Fire. "NOW is the time for you to accept the LORD as your Savior." (2 Corinthians 6:2) Let the Almighty Joy of our Creator GOD fill your soul!

Jesus Speaks About GOD's True Children

John 8:31-47, "Jesus said to the Jews that believed Him, 'If you hold to My teaching, you are really My disciples. Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free.' They answered Him, 'We're Abraham's descendants and (we) have never been slaves to anyone. How can you say we shall be set free?' Jesus replied, 'I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So, if the the Son sets you free, you are free indeed. You are ready to kill Me, because you have no room for My word. I Am telling you what I have seen in the Father's presence and you do what you have heard from your father...You are determined to kill Me, a Man who has told you the truth that I have heard from GOD. Abraham did not do such things.' They protested, 'The only Father we have is God Himself.' Jesus said to them, 'If GOD were your Father, you would love Me, for I came from GOD, I have not come on My own, but He sent Me. You belong to your father, the devil and want to carry out his desire...he is a liar and the father of lies. Yet I tell you the truth and you do not believe Me...He who belongs to GOD hears what GOD says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to GOD.'" 

A simple statement: You belong to Almighty GOD if you hear (believe in Jesus as His Son) or you do not belong to GOD if you refuse to hear (the truth of Jesus Christ.) You are a child of GOD if you hear and believe or you are a child of the devil if you refuse to hear and believe. What is your choice? Choose eternal life with our Awesome, Almighty, Creator, Savior, Holy Father GOD by accepting Jesus paying for your sin upon the cross or choose eternity in punishment with the devil and his demons by rejecting so great a Salvation. Make your choice now, there are no second chances after death. 

Jesus Warns of Coming Judgment

John 8:21, 23-30, "Once more Jesus said to them (the Pharisees), 'I Am going away and you will look for Me, and you will die in your sin. Where I go you cannot come. You are from below, I Am from above. You are of this world; I Am not of this world. I told you that you would die in your sins if you do not believe that I Am the One I claim to be, you will indeed die in your sins. I have much to say in judgment of you. But He Who sent Me is reliable and what I have heard from Him I tell the world. When you have lifted up the Son of Man (on the Cross) then you will know that I Am the One I claim to be and I do nothing on My own but speak just what the Father has taught Me. The One Who sent Me is with Me, He has not left Me alone for I always do what pleases Him.' Even as He spoke many believed in Him."

Revelation 20:11-15 The Dead Are Judged, "Then I saw a great white throne and Him (Jesus) Who was seated on it. Earth and sky fled from His presence and there was no place for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne and the books were opened. Another Book was opened which is the Book of Life. The dead were judged according to what they had done recorded in the books. The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and hell gave up the dead that were in them and each (person) was judged according to what he (she) had done. Then (they), death, and hell were throne into the Lake of Fire. The Lake of Fire is the second death. If anyone's name was not found written in the Book of Life, he (she) was thrown into the Lake of Fire." 

"Death" is not a "going out of existence." It is a transferring from one place to another.  In Luke 16:22-31, Jesus tells of the lost rich man in hell, "The time came when the beggar died and was carried by the angels to Abraham's side. The (lost) rich man also died and was buried. In Hell, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham and Lazarus far away. The rich man called out, 'Abraham have pity on me and let Lazarus dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue because I am in agony in this fire.' Abraham replied, '...you received your good things in your lifetime while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted and you are in agony. Besides, between us and you a great chasm is fixed so no one can cross." The man in agony continued to request:  "I beg you, send Lazarus

to my five brothers, warn them so that they will not also come to this place of torment.' Abraham replied to him, 'If they do not listen to Moses and the prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.'" Christ rose from the dead after He took upon Him the sins of mankind, yet the majority of today's world population refuse to believe His free gift of salvation for them if they only repent of their sins. Is your name written in the Book of Life or in the books? Are you saved to stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ to receive your reward in eternity with Him? Or, are you not saved and will stand before the Great White Throne Judgment where Christ will judge you for eternal punishment and cast you into the Lake of Fire that burns with brimstone and in the outer darkness of this fire you will be weeping and gnashing your teeth forevermore in agony! (Matthew 8:12, 13:42, 22:13, 24:51, 25:30, Luke 13:28)

If you don't have salvation in Jesus Christ, begin this New Year knowing your Savior by asking Him with a heartfelt attitude to forgive you of your sins. When you do, the Holy Spirit will enter you and confirm your salvation in our Awesome, Almighty, Creator, Savior, Holy Father GOD! What joy beyond your comprehension is awaiting you!

For GOD So Loved the World

Genesis 1:26, 27 "Then GOD said, "Let Us make man in Our image... (vs 27) So GOD created man in His Own image, in the image of GOD He created Him  male and female."

Jesus is GOD in the flesh. The Holy Spirit is GOD in the Spirit.

John 14:9, "Jesus said, '...Anyone who has seen Me has seen the Father.'"

Colossians 1:15, "Jesus is the image of the invisible GOD."

Hebrews 1:3, "Jesus is the radiance of GOD's glory, the exact representation of His Being, sustaining all things by His powerful WORD."

Man's image is made in three as well. 1. GOD the Father is GOD's personality of being Holy, Perfect, and All-Knowing. Each person has been given a personality recognizable to others. 2. Jesus is GOD in the flesh come to pay the penalty of mankind's sin. Each person has been given a body of flesh which is also recognizable by others. 3. The Holy Spirit is GOD in the Spirit. Man has been given a spirit which is dead until brought alive at the moment of salvation in Christ Jesus. (Ephesians 2:1) What makes GOD so Almighty is that He can separate Himself into GOD the Father, GOD the Son, and GOD the Holy Spirit. Man cannot do this. At our death, our spirit and personality are separated from our body and abides either with Christ or in hell awaiting judgment. (2 Cor. 5:8) At the Rapture, Christians who have died will receive new bodies, those still alive at that moment will be changed receiving their new bodies and all the saved will forever be with the LORD!  (Thessalonians 4:16, 1 Corinthians 15:51-54)

John 3:16, "For GOD so Loved the world He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him will have everlasting life." 

GOD has experienced everything that man has, but without sin. We have a Savior that has made everything right with our Father Who expects perfection, but only Christ can make us perfect by Him paying the penalty for our sin. Have you accepted Jesus as your Savior? If not, do so and His Holy Spirit will enter you and lead, guide, and direct your path while upon this earth!

GOD Became a Man to Save Mankind

Matthew 1:23, "The virgin will be with Child and will give birth to a Son, and they will call Him Immanuel - which means, 'GOD with us.'"