Personal Bible Studies

[Keith Sherwood]

The good Samaritan

Going down to Jericho – This is not a road between two villages, but between two royal cities. Along this road wealth is transported. Much is often said that the man represents someone was on a downward spiritual slope

However if you go up to Jerusalem – you also have to come back down. Our life is hid with Christ in heaven. I was once asked 'Where do you worship?' I knew well that the man wanted to know what church I went to and was prying to find out my spiritual credentials. My reply was correct and sound “In heaven! Where do you worship?” It was, I know, as cheeky to answer that way as his question was. It is true though, we worship in heaven where the Spirit presents with the eloquence that we lack, we have a heavenly experience, but we have to come down and live in this world with its uncertainties

He fell among robbers. This man has sufficient to attract a gang of robbers. This takes class out of it and shows that in reality all whether rich or poor need help and sympathy at times

By chance a priest was going down that road but when he saw him passed by on the other side.
How unfeeling, he is also going down from Jerusalem, it seems he has completed his services in the temple – there is nothing to stop him helping. He has been worshipping the God of all compassion – but is a hypocrite.

The priest however is an instructor of the people on behalf of God. And this might be the sense of 'Likewise (See John 5 v19 for this kind of usage) a certain Levite' he has some interest the observation is more intense 'He came to the place and looked' the priest saw and passed by on the other side as though he never stopped. The Levite stops and looks and then follows the example of the Priest(see John 5 v 19, but it is not for certain used this way, but here I think it might be – the two are connected see John 6 v 11) – 'passes by on the other side'

Sometimes it is the case that we follow another person rather than the edicts of the Lord that should be written on our hearts , they might show an interest and even sympathise, but if the person they tend to follow has decided against helping the person. They do nothing and leave the person without any help. for they do not want to rock the status quo and go it alone for the Lord and the persons sake.

A certain Samaritan who was on a journey.
This man had a real purpose of necessity to be on this road. I like this, for the Christian is on a mission in life for the Lord and in that purpose he is meant to have time for people and help where there is a need.

A number of things mark him out as an experienced traveller. He has a 'beast with him(but I expect more than one to carry items or cargo suited to his purpose) he has wine (to ensure he has something to drink which is not contaminated), he has oil (a medical need in this climate to help healing etc). he has finance, (the inn keeper knows and trusts him) he has ethics.

But he has compassion, there is nothing like real experience of rejection by people and misfortunes to give one a feeling of compassion for others, if you are sensitive to the lessons of life. However even without that, the forgiveness of my sin by the Lord should give me compassion for others.

He bandages the wounds, pours in oil and wine to cleanse and heal; and he put him on his own beast, which suggests maybe a string of pack animals and one to carry himself. And he walks himself.

And brought him to an Inn, and he pays and promises when he returns to pay anything extra needed to the innkeeper for the man's care over the next few days

Believers are meant to care for one another and all, whether rich or poor, liked or not liked. popular or not popular, clean or smelly, well dressed or in rags - and the Lord who is no man's debtor will repay – beware if we do not care for others, the Lord might take off us what we have ! And why not, it is lent us of the Lord, that would not be unjust.

Lastly, a Samaritan was a, rejected by the Jews person. So was the lord Jesus Christ – he came to where we were and had compassion and though he was rich, became poor that through his poverty we might become rich. He died for us on Calvary, that we might have our sin dealt with if we trust him

We must not be like the levite a follower of a man, but we must be like our Lord who has compassion on all without partiality.

[Keith Sherwood]

Esther
Though the names of God are absent in this , his name is hidden as series of acrostics proving that he is behind every action.
In the same way the ambitions of Haman are not just the destruction of the Jews, but the hidden agenda seems to be to replace the king and to take over the empire. His ambitions parallel Satan’s for the whole world.

The 180 day feast which is designed to secure Ahasueros throne, but appears to have also been used by Haman to bring about an empire wide conspiracy to put Haman on the throne.

To avoid this coup and to keep within the law Ahasueros security is maintained by putting a new Law behind the Jews stand against their enemies, for the enemies of God's people are also the enemies of the King that God has raised up. This parallels the work of the Lord Jesus Christ who meets all the requirements of God’s righteousness and yet obtains redemption for us
The Jews in the empire occupy a unique position: they blame their own sin for their captivity, they are still loyal to Jehovah and they are loyal to the Persian Empire. The Jews have no political ambitions outside the restoration of Israel in God's declared time and by the man Isaiah named Cyrus.

Haman (and Satan) to have his way must first overcome the Jews. The Jews throughout the empire act as cement of obedience that helps hold the empire together. The Jews are the salt of the earth in exactly the same manner and in the same position that applies to the church today and to the faithful in all ages.

The events of the book are often be stated to be after Ezra and before Nehemiah
However this is not positive – Bullinger places the event before Ezra, Nehemiah and Cyrus the Great. Bullinger thought Ahasuerus was the father of Darius 1 - To add to or clarify the mystery there is an unusual phrase in Nehemiah 2 v 6 'the queen sitting beside him' this surely must be Esther who is the queen or queen mother of the book of Nehemiah and who is still a deep influence, otherwise why would scripture make this point?

The style of the book is similar to Daniel in parts. Esther, Nehemiah and Ezra are all seem to be written in the style of the Babylonian, Median and Persian official records. They all contain the fine macro detail of names and accountability required in those kingdoms; see Dan 4 v 34 – 37

The book can be divided by events, by the dates mentioned, by the acrostics of Jehovah and of ‘I am that I am’ (see the Companion Bible – Bullinger)

This article outlines the major characters of the book in the hope that it will provide a foundation for your own studies

The characters
King Ahasuerus, see Dan 9 & Ezra 4 v 6
This is an energetic and wise King
He obeys the Laws himself Ch 1 v 8) and had great respect for the law (Ch 3 v 8). Ezra 6 v 2)
He takes advice from wisest men (Ch 1 v 13 & 7 v 9)
He was always busy with state affairs and even used his idle times for such (Ch 6 v 1 – 3, Chapt 7 v 4)
He attended to matters instantly (Ch 1 v 13 – Chapt 6 v 6 – Chapt 8 v 1)
He rewards Mordecai the instant he realises he had not done anything for him (Ch 6)
He has the deepest respect and affection for Esther his wife by choice Ch 5 v 2 - 3, Ch 7, Ch 8 v 1 - 9, Ch 9 v 29 - 32.
All these are admirable attributes are exactly the qualities advised to the apostolicointed men in the church for the purpose of maintaining apostolic doctrine see Rom 12 v 8 where rule means to preside (in the sense of an apostolic person)
We can be sure that our God is of perfect principal – righteous in all his ways, full of wisdom, never sleeps, always cares for his subjects and these principles should rule all our lives.

Queen Vashti
The strong possibility is that she was Queen through a political alliance, as was often the case, and was a daughter of an allied King of considerable power.
The feast of Chapter 1 is the longest public relations exercise in the bible - for 180 days the king invited and entertained the nobles and military commanders from his empire – to impress them with the resources at his command, his generosity, the fitness of his person and his authority. Only men it seems were invited.
Every thing had gone well; the huge effort appears to the King to have achieved its objective.
At the end of it, there is a feast for all those still left in Shushan of the invited quests and especially the people of the town who were the workers during this feast to thank them.
The King entertained the men – Vashti the women
On the last day he can relax at last – his merry with wine, this strikes a cord with Boaz who also was so merry at the end of a good of harvest. Merry with wine is not seen as a shame but fitting for such a time in Old Testament Times - our joy however is to be the joy of the Spirit at spiritual successes
His last act is to introduce the astonishingly beautiful Queen Vashti who had entertained the ladies –There is nothing lewd about this, on the contrary it is born out of generosity of heart for all to see her excellence and maybe as a very public thank you.
He sends his closest advisers to fetch her to ensure she understands the importance of his request; Vashti in a mood of petulance refuses.
In this one act she puts into question publicly his wisdom, his fitness to rule and his authority. It seems because she is of royal blood from a powerful line that she is more interested in demonstrating her own importance than the Kings.
It is a disaster and he is angry, and rightly so. It puts the whole of his aim of the 180 day feast in danger and he must repair the damage.
Vashti has launched the first of at least three attempts found in this book to diminish the King
None of us should seek to insist on having our own way, or even our own judgement, whatever the position we think we hold (none of us are to be Lords over God's heritage, that position is for Christ alone); We are to be servants of our King and to each other only submitting our suggestions for all to consider, without jealousy or pride and without an 'over my dead body,' attitude because we think we have the better of it -Such an authoritarian attitude does Satan's work and will result in the long term in disaster.
In the same way partners in marriage must work in concert with each other as equals in the Lord.
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This King will choose his next Queen himself. The next Queen needs to be compatible to him and not a marriage of political convenience that carries with it outside influences and personal prestige.

Mordecai
Who is this (prince of Benjamin) and what position does he hold in the Kings gate?
His language is not now his mothers tongue but he uses the tongue of Israel's masters (Daniel 1 v 4 & 5, he would wear the clothes of his captors and would be indistinguishable from others in the gate, they did not even know his nationality until an occasion demanded it Chapt 3 v 4
He, in everything, is a good citizen of the Persian Empire and its King
Therefore what was it that was decided or discussed in the Kings gate that they knew so little of each other? – well the answer must be nothing at all.
It was the Kings gate; they were not working palace staff or busybodies soaking up all the news and rumours. They were there to be called by the King when needed for advice.

In this great kingdom there was no time to collect advisers from every nationality, district and nation and wait for them – The King needed their best representatives on hand for instant help and advice. These representatives must have the confidence of the people they represented, and their peoples obedience to their advice to them. The King can then deal with a problem because he understands the people and has a safeguard against the issuing of an unwise law or command and in return he will have submission to his rules and stability in the empire.

The proof of this is that time and again we are told of Mordecai’s people
He cares for them,
He mourns for them, he interferes for them,
He advises them.
When Mordicai’s people are in distress, he too.
When advanced and paraded in the Kings vestments and on the Kings horse, he goes straight back to the Kings gate to represent his people.
When in no position to advise he seeks a way for his people to be spoken for through Esther.
When he is the greatest in the realm he still cares for them.
Be he high or low he sticks at it without a single ounce of pride – what an example! The apostle Paul comes up to this standard and God cares for you and me like that and organises the operations that are for our defence 1 Cor 12 v 6.

This is a great characteristic of Benjamites and Mordecai is a Benjamite, They are different, to others awkward and left handed. Not the same as the other tribes, but loyalty and unity was often theirs as was their might in battle. Not easy to deal with a Benjamite, they are southpaws, have stick-ability and are accurate hard hitters,the Benjamite can sling a stone to a hairbreadth They can be a force for right that cannot be deviated from their task.

Ehud, Benjamite, the left handed slayer of Eglon king of Moab, and judge of Israel was used by God to defeat Moab, the Ammonites and Amelekites. Jonathan, Benjamite, was absolute in his loyalty to David. Shemie, Benjamite, in defending the throne of Solomon was the only prince of any tribe to stand with Nathan, Benaiah, Zadoc, Bathsheba and the mighty men (1 Kings 1 v 8) - every other prince followed Odonijah. This kind of characteristic, twill not compromise to conform to a majority view. Benjamin is always connected with Judah in loyalty. Half the temple belongs to Benjamin half to Judah. In the same way we who believe in Christ are co heirs with Christ.

It requires the highly individual characteristic of being able to stand against outward and secretive influences to have the confidence of others. He is trusted to be a true representative for them behind the closed doors of the palace. Unless one is 'ones own man' as others would put it in trying to explain an independent person, one cannot be a good representative for others or faithful to God. No one can trust the person who is influenced by personage, or by personal advantage, or favour or the desire to please everyone. In his action not to bow down to Haman and to wear the garments of mourning we have all the proof we need of his complete integrity. He was no reed that bends with the wind.

We all are asked to care for each other as Mordecai cared for his people and this responsibility is to all who belong to Christ
Mordecai like Joseph was faithful to his King and his people, and not for reward, Chap 2 v 22.

Like Mordecai the wise believer must serve faithfully their employers, though they are not always thanked, For the Lords sake we must be honest, faithful and non political, and managers and owners must be kind to those under them Eph 6 v 5 – 9.
We should notice it was this faithfulness to the king that saved him from the gallows and turned the matter for the whole nation when the King had the records read Chapt 6 v 1 - 2 - God interfered and he used faithfulness to save the day, to snatch victory from a deep and empire wide conspiracy. God has not changed he still uses the same kind of persons.

Esther
It is strange how often beauty is not skin deep but also soul deep; Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel & Bathsheba all had these qualities
Esther had deep respect for Mordecai who represented her people and had cared for her. She would never do anything to undermine him, or his position in the kingdom, or his work for his and her people.
She obeyed him in all things – how like the Saviour in relationship to the Father and how like this we should be. When it says 'Children obey you’re parents' one assumes it is speaking to adults in fellowship, not tiny children, and that parental respect is still required by the Lord even when we are independent of them. If we do not respect our parents and older people how can we claim we obey God?
She gave all their proper credit Ch 2 v 22 and this saved the nation; she did not use information to promote her status to be Queen but gave the credit to Mordecai
She was not greedy for herself, but honoured and accepted the wisdom of those around Chapt 2 v 13 – 15
She, when working with Mordecai, cared for him as he for her Chapt 4 v 4
She never did anything underhand and secret but employed the Kings most faithful servants to communicate with Mordecai Ch 4 v 5. These servants must, when necessary, reveal all to the king to whom they were loyal servants. – Nor should we hide things from the saints! All our dealings and arguments should be open and known and not hidden. None of us are so important that we can afford to be secretive about anything or so powerful that we can make sure our will is achieved by secret arrangements known only to a few. All the pastoral letters are addressed to the whole church and the open debate before the whole church of Acts 15 is proof of this - If apostles obey this principle, how can we be so bold to act by a different principle?

Therefore she was a faithful wife always loyal to her husband, it seems for this reason she was advised by Mordecai not to reveal her people or even to represent them, many think this strange as they try to align this to Christian witness, but those tasks of representation were for Mordecai, the Jews could not have two representatives..
Her position was to be a loyal Queen in the kingdom rather like the Cherithites and Perethites were to David - loyal to the King alone was her responsibility.
She was devout Ch 4 v 16
She was purposeful Ch 4 v 16
She was courageous Ch 4 v 16 when she was the only person who could act.
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Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite
The description here suggest that he had position similar to Mordecai as representative for the Amalakites - a nomadic and violent tribe who saw others as prey to grow rich on and who have always had the desire to rule other nations, they opposed Israel as they prepared to leave Sinai the area were the Amalakites ruled.
The term Agagite would indicate he followed the principles of King Agag who Saul was commanded to deal with and whom Samuel slew Num 24 v 7 A most powerful of people - 1 Sam 15 v 8 & 32
They were perpetual enemies of Israel but also of most others – they would take advantage of any, self interest was their principle. The Amalekites were descendants of Esau, they were Edomites at source Gen 36 v 12 – King Herod who in a later day would destroy the innocent that he might destroy the Christ was of that line – that he and his descendants might rule Israel see Ex 17 & v 16
Mordecai’s refusal to bow down was on the basis of the enmity between the two peoples and I suspect because he knew that Haman was no good for the King and the Kingdom either Ex 17 v 16
He was vicious - he would have all Jews killed because he wanted to get at Mordecai who represented them and their welfare Ch 3 v 6, destroy Mordecai's people and you destroy Mordecai's position. If he could remove a dispersed people who are loyal to the King then he opens all the roads to all his ambitions.
He was secretive - he never let the King know who the people were he wanted to destroy.

I plead with all readers never be secretive, no matter how attractive the end achievement seems, it is a wrong road and not blessed by our Lord. The Son of God took no short cuts to being our Lord Matt 4 v 1 - 11 but took the right road, Calvary, not the route of the temptations
Haman the Son of King Agag is set against Mordecai the Son of King Saul - the representative of all Israel

He was superstitious and would use the mysterious arts of the occult, which are under Satan Ch 3 v 6 to overthrow the Jews Ch 3 v 7
He had his own court of friends, advisers and followers throughout the kingdom (he seems to be organising a kingdom within the kingdom) Ch 5 v 14, 6 v 13 and would seek to lead his supporters to promote himself in rebellion. Are we relying on the gathering of friends around us to get our way?
He would lie by saying the Jews neither fitted in nor would they obey the Laws of the Land Ch 3 v 8. They were not against the empire, but reliable and honest citizens of it.
He would use all the wealth at his command to get his way – stolen wealth - to advance himself and win approval Ch 3 v 9. It is possible that position and influence is so important to us that all our actions are motivated by self interest though we present them as selfless actions.
It seems he had plans to supersede the King see Ch 6 v 8 – 9. His suggestions were extraordinary and designed to promote himself as a future King - it is Esther who points out that the danger from Haman reached beyond the Jews and herself and to the throne itself Ch 7 and the end of verse 4 (see the usual translation and the alternative in the New International, the passage might be difficult but damage to the King seems to be the sense)
The symbolism of Shamans 10 Sons and the slaughter of the Jews enemies are paralleled by: Decapolis’s Ten Cities and the10 Kings of Revelations. Etc.
The enemies of the Jews it seems were neither the officers of the realm, nor the ordinary people of the realm (many of whom became Jews Ch 8 v 17).

These enemies were conspirators who would overthrow God's people, God's representative and God's appointed ruler once they had gained such power.
To do this they needed to get Mordecai out of the way for he was a barrier and had already saved the King from other conspirators.
It is I believe because of this high sense of submission and respect for the crown by Mordecai, Esther and the Jews
that the foundation of imperial confidence in the Jews is laid. Freedom and support that was later given to the Jews to return to Israel, to rebuild Jerusalem's defences and the Temple.
The people knew Haman was wrong about the Jews Ch 3 v 15 this verse speaks of the Persian civil service not of the Jews. Chapter 4 speaks of the effect on the Jews and also that the advancement of Mordecai was pleasing to the civil service see Ch 8 v 15. The civil servants could be sure the Jews would not slay them but rather but help them.
Haman was a danger to the whole kingdom and Mordecai was safety for the whole Kingdom.

The high gallows Haman erected is a deliberate attempt to influence others who needed a sign of Haman’s power and that the removal of the advocate of the Jews not only sufficed his hatred but also gave a very public sign to his allies. This would strike fear into others as it displayed that Haman actually ruled the empire and no one should disagree with Haman, he was setting himself up to take over the throne
Haman would use position to plot the downfall of others and, like Satan overthrow those God has raised up that he might rule.
We should never seek the diminishing of others that we might have our way; splits are not of God and always disenfranchise good believers for the sake of one or more of us getting our own way. They are achieved by conspirator methods usually.
Domination and Lordship over believers is not of God and is often the cause of frustration that spills over into anger. The desire to have my way is a constant source of trouble, we have one Lord and only one Leader and that is Christ.
We see Calvary in these gallows for our Lord Jesus Christ by death slew him who had the power over death and delivered them who all their lifetime were subject to bondage through the fear of death Hebrews 2 v 14 & 15. - Here in Hebrews bondage is peculiar to the Jews who keep the law that they might live. So Mordecai in this is a type of Christ for in defeating Haman he initiates freedom from an empire that held them captive by its laws, a foretaste of Christ who sets the Jew free from the Law
More than that, though Satan was defeated at Calvary, yet he is still the power of influence in the world and is the Prince of the Power of the air. Haman being hanged does not end his conspiracy which still lives and has to be settled in every town and village by the empowering of the Jews.- a picture of the future battles Rev 21v 19 - 21 and Rev 20 v 7 - 10
The prophetic actions of Christ related to his return are in very simple terms are:
1) The judgement and dispersal of the nation of Israel by Titus because they rejected Christ (John saw this, so in a sense he did tarry until Christ came again in judgement against the nation)
to this day the military men of Israel swear Masada must not happen again - nor will it.
2) The rapture of the saints,
3) The tribulation,
4) The defeat of the wicked nations of the earth when they gather against Israel,
5) Christ's rule for a thousand years,
6) The final great battle when Jerusalem is surrounded by the greatest army ever seen - Satan will always attack the plans of God by seeking to destroy all that belongs to God and these 6 actions are all to do with the work and return of Christ
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The great lesson is that God is always in control and that the principled life before God is the victorious life
In seeking the good of his people Mordecai also protects the King and saves and enhances the kingdom and the King – We should remember to follow Christ who helps all is not futile-we might not see the benefits to all around us, but be assured the consistent acts of steadfast faithfulness are not barren, but of great blessing to more people than we will ever know, it glorifies Christ and is effective in the salvation of people through the gospel.


Keith

[Keith Sherwood]

John 9

The man born blind

The man with no chance in life
We meet in life sometimes people who when we hear their story about their child hood and up bringing

We are humbled by the fact that we realise regardless of the bad state they are in, that they never stood a chance

Such is this man

And such are we and all humanity, for without what Christ gives, which is divine light – we are all blind – every one of us

Go to John 1 v
 9That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.

Say the disciples: did he sin or was it his parents, they had no heart for the man and just wanted a re affirmation of what they thought was fine theological understanding

It is true sin has wrought havoc with all of us as the apostle Paul declares when speaking of the failures everyone admits to

15For that which I do, I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.

I want you to notice this characteristic that Christ has; He sees the potential in this worthless man for he says
3Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.
He is not saying that God purposed him to be blind – for that is not the way of God, the human race has decided to go its own way and sin is a blight on all and brings consequences that are distributed in a disproportionate way
See his compassion and loyalty to the man. Matthew explains
 14And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick.

People often say that ,which theologians hate and deny (because they want to impress the truth of our sinfulness) but which is true in the common saying 'there is good in every man' but here the Lord seems to be saying it.

People are not theological arguments to the God of Heaven and Earth – the almighty and his Son. The God who made heaven and earth – the only true God, is not a Greek Deity who plays games with the human race. But the opposite

The Lord Jesus Christ only wants and desires the best for you and this event proves it, for here the Man and Christ walk together through the whole narrative

Fist we see that here it is Christ in his humanity that brings the greatest revelation – he comes to where we are associates himself with us bends down and makes mud with his spittle and the dust of the way. It is the Christ of the dirty hands and black finger nails that puts mud on the man's eyes

It is a lowly Deity that we see here – who has laid his outward glory down and humbled himself to become a man

It is the Son of God who became Mary's son a true and real man that brings the full revelation of God and opens our eyes as he works on behalf of humanity during a small three and a half year period – on what day did he ever rest?

As the gospel is written retrospectively all these lessons of belief are now only applicable to trusting the Lord Jesus Christ as the one who bore my sins on cavalry's cross John 1 v 29

And Humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on the cross

29The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.

This man is representative of you and me – you have heard of Jesus Christ but have never seen him
Well neither had this man – though he lived in the day and place of miracles

He says later the man called Jesus he applied clay to my eyes, and I washed and I see

Why could they crucify the Lord Jesus Christ, because in this world's standing he was a nobody from a rougher Town of stone quarry workers, stone dressers and masons. He was not a committee man or on the council of the synagogue, or a mixer with the sages of Israel. He was full of humility though Lord of all and teacher of all.

Said the lord

 I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.
 5As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.

How wonderful – he works, he does not theorize – his work is of restoration and redemption, to feel the pain of man's sorrows, to have compassion to teach truth

He send him to Siloam's pool
1)If this occurred at the Corinthian Brass doors of the temple – it was a straight road down – it was easy for the man though blind – he knew the way and every step of the way
Belief is all God asks of you – is that so hard
2) Siloam is called 'sent' that is it is not fed by a steady stream but has an erratic supply of water either up from the fountain of virgins and Hezekiah conduit or from a Chasm underneath the temple, either way through a sump which emptied itself, by syphon (in the same way that we would with a rubber pipe and a can), when full
3)It is a large man made tank some 150 maybe 225 ft long
4)And quite deep
It gives some idea to us of what the Lord was indicating for this pool was used for ceremonial cleansing before entering the Temple and literally thousands upon thousands could cleanse them selves every day here.

So here the Lord is not simply making the man see – but in a way by which he can return and for the first time in his life enter the temple as seeing and cleansed – to enter the temple he must first wash baptise himself in Siloams pool – no blind man could do this, as his blindness denied him entry anyhow. He stepped in Blind washed and came out seeing

It is a picture of complete restoration of the man to fullness of health and to God
The effect of what Christ is doing here has repercussions that transform the blind and the lame peoples regard for the Lord Jesus Christ for at a later date – upon the Lord Jesus Christ's last visit to the temple before his crucifixion in Matthew Chapter 21 v 12 we read that the Blind and the Lame began to do what they were forbidden to do, and enter the temple area


12And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the money changers, and the seats of them that sold doves,
 13And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.
 14And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple; and he healed them.
 15And when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying in the temple, and saying, Hosanna to the son of David; they were sore displeased,
 16And said unto him, Hearest thou what these say? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise?

So it was not just the tables being overturned and the traders driven out – it was the lame and blind entering the temple for the first time ever that maddened them. And He healed them – as fast as they pointed the finger – as fast the Lord presented them in physical perfection

In the face of Christ “the hypocritical and more righteous than you”, withered on the vine of the pretence of having authority or power from God - and how it angered them

Oh the wonder of the gospel of Christ , that once one gets saved an avalanche follows of believers in Christ.

He stepped in, believing what he had been told,
washed and came out seeing. What a picture.

So let us look at this man's faith and its character.

His story is meant to be compared with the paralysed man whose healing is recorded in John Chapter five

To start with here are the parallels
Take up your bed and walk
Go and wash in siloam
He who healed me said take up your bed and walk

He did not know it was for he disappeared
The Blind man knew it was Jesus but did not know where he was

It was on a Sabbath
It was on a Sabbath

The persecuted Jesus and sought to kill him for it was on the Sabbath
Some said this man is not of God , for he does not keep the Sabbath

It is at this point that the stories follow a different route
This making a man born blind to see, is extraordinary – such a reversal has never before ever been known
1st there is a division amongst the Pharisees – some say 'how can a sinful man preform such signs?
Some decide because of Christ's evident merit, one can not side with good and not side with Christ. These first seeds of doubt about the hatred to Christ will blossom for a moment into fearful faith John 13 v 42 and yet they still will not side with him because they do not want to be put out of the synagogue.

This is true of the paralytic man of John 5 who can not stand the pressure of the Pharisees and sides with them – despite all the Lord has done for him.

It always amazes me where you find moral strength and where you do not find it. How could he join hand with those who would kill the Lord – but he does.

And here we find great character in the man of John 9, Born blind, life has not been easy and one would say it should be easier from now on. But he is at the centre of a huge argument.

His neighbours are amazed at the miracle. Never has such a great event happened in their circle and they take him to the Pharisees – upon whom they rely for guidance and teaching.

1)They doubt that he ever was blind and call for his parents. They confirm that he is their son and that he was born blind but will make no comment about how it happened. For the Jews had agreed anyone who confessed that Jesus was the Christ should be put out of the synagogue.
If you read the gospel of John you read more detail about the efforts to isolate the Lord Jesus Christ from the people and the plotting against him than in any other gospel. They are used to being the teachers and the examples to the people of Israel and they abuse the privileges they have to gain false respect and riches. When Jesus Christ comes along, who is right, who is just, who teaches truth, who is lowly, who is kind and full of compassion and who the people adore – they are mad with jealousy

In the gospel of Luke one reads of the lord passing through Jericho as he goes up to Jerusalem for the last time, death waits for him there.

There is a rich man, who holds the tax gathering franchise, it is his business to know everyone's business, to asses their character, know their wealth and its source. Not a popular man, but he has learnt to understand the true character of people and he would not be fooled by the Pharisees.
However Jesus was different, here was a teacher that was poor, that did not gather riches, that loved people and helped them. He admired Jesus so much that he just wanted to look at him. The people thronging the street would not allow him to the front and he was a small man. So he climbed a sycamore tree, an unusual tree with a thick head of horizontal branches easy for climbing and to be seeing without being seen. He gazed upon a man who was everything a man should be in wonder. The Lord looked up, and called him down for he said ' I will stay and sup with you this night.
If I have wronged any man I will pay him back fourfold and this day Half my goods I will give to the poor. What a change the tax gatherer wanted to be like Jesus

Can you see the influence the Saviour had on people – how about you, will you let him pass you by but not touch your heart or be like the tax gatherer whose interest was deep

This blind man, his knowledge is incomplete' but one thing he is unshakable about and that is that Jesus is of God ' he is a prophet he says

The gospel of John introduces us to a Pharisee and ruler of Israel in Chapter three – he says to the Lord Rabbi we know you are from God for no man can do the things you do except God be with him – it is only at the end of John after the crucifixion that he believes that he is the Son of God and becomes a follower of the Lord

And here we have this man's, much shorter in time, journey


A second time they tackle him (this is such a miracle of importance that its effect will not go away).
Give God the glory, they say we know this man is a sinner.

When men seek to have their own way – they will lie to get it, whoever they are. Jesus is no sinner and never had sinned

The man stands firm 'I do not know whether he is a sinner or not, but one thing I do know and that is I was blind and now I see.

Peter in his epistles says two things stand out to him from the time he spent with the Lord.
I beheld his majesty
The mount of Transfiguration where he saw the Lord in all his glory, brighter than the sun

And he witnessed the sufferings of Christ – I saw it, I heard it, it is forever imprinted on my mind. This Man will never forget the gentle voice and the clay being put on his eyes and the words 'go and wash'

They ask him again how he was healed. I have told you once – do you want to here it again ?
Do you wish also to become his disciples ?

Also is a big word – he has made up his mind – he will follow and listen and be taught by Jesus who gave him his sight

They declare you are his disciple, but we belong to Moses but the blind man he knows that Moses
This man who was born blind is a good listener, and he knows the teachings of Moses, for he has no book and has always relied on a trained memory, memory is his eye and Moses wrote of Abraham praying, and the patriarchs and their prayers being answered.

He says
This is wonderful he says – you do not know where he is from but He has opened my eyes


We know he says (scripture tells us and you preach it – that is why they make long prayers in the market place) God he says does not listen to the evil but to the righteous

And since the world began it has never been heard that anyone opened the eyes of a person born blind

God does not hear sinners but if anyone is God fearing and does his will he hears him

If this man was not from God – he could do nothing



For the first time (or second time) we are now introduced to this man's social standing as they blurt out the hurtful words

You were altogether born entirely in Sin and iniquity and are you teaching us

The inference is that his birth is illegitimate, and that he is not a true member of Israel and they excommunicate him

Jesus heard
and he found him – says that same voice that said go and wash. 'Do you believe in the Son of man' – a title that belongs to the messiah. Who is He Lord?

Says the lord to the listeners
For judgement I am come into the world – that those that are blind may see, and that those who see may become blind.

It is a fact that the life and words of Christ, become a touch stone that convicts us of our sin and condemn us. But when he walked, and now, those same words offer redemption and forgiveness to the person who believes and trusts Christ

However, the same standards and methods that he revealed while on earth will be used when he judges in the final day

And by those standards we all are guilty, but then there is no opportunity to change – only in life are we given that

Nor can we say I have time on my hands for you do not know when death comes or when Christ returns as promised and both are the end of opportunity Rev 20 v 11 - 15

[andyeden]

Some thoughts on the man Born Blind John 9.

In Genisis 3, when God seeks out Adam and Eve after they sinned, God asks..."Where art thou?" This is compassion, this is not direct judgement - for he didn't call the Serpent, but Adam and Eve. Here he calls those he loves, even in a state of sin, he shows compassion from the Heart of God. The serpent is cursed and there is no compassion; "on thy belly thou shalt crawl all the days of thy life"- pretty awful career path! But the Serpent reigns for a time. The statement regarding the Women is that there, Emnity between the Serpent and the Women, between her seed as well which we know is Christs rejection of the Jews and is crucified. There will be restoration and forgiveness extended in the bruising of the head of the Serpent and the removing of the sinful condition through the Lord's shed blood, death and resurrection. Notice, this compassion was not given to Satan. It was given to the fallen man that the Serpent enticed. I would say that this is the first time in Scripture we see the Riches of His Mercy and that reveals Grace which appears for you and I.

The man born blind is a picture of the same thing, the man receives compassion from the Lord and is healed for Christ was this Grace and Truth. Christ brought this Grace to the man in order that he could be healed. It was through Faith too, for he had to wash to become seeing, and obey the voice of the Lord whom he could not see. That action was through Faith and he believed and went to the pool of Salome (sent) Christ was Sent for this purpose. He bacame seeing by Grace and through Faith. Here through the course of the trial with the Sanhedrin, this Serpent is judged by God and has no forgiveness extended either. In another scripture they blaspheme the Holy Ghost, in calling Christ Baalzebub (Satan).

The wonderful compassion of our Savior to one who could never change the blindness of his eyes, nor can the parents, is a wonderful picture of the call of God to Adam and Eve. Where art thou? For he wants to heal, forgive and make whole again. Notice the other questions in the Gospel, what should I do unto you? Similiar import. I want a relationship with you even though your in Sin. Its pure compassion. not that Christ didn't know of the peoples suffering in Israel. For he wanted to be accepted as King. To heal the nation he knew and loved and the example of the 'why" this man was here born blind. That Christ by Grace and through Faith he would be healed, and so will Israel in a coming day. This was not extended to the Sanhedrin? Christ was also cast out of this their Kingdom by them and Crucified during this Serpents reign.

The Lord reveals himself to the blind man after he is rejected from the economy of Israel, and the Lord says as the answer to the man's question "Show me? What a precious Savior that He loves me so. Yes, this blindness was not because of his sin or the parents sin; but for the Glory of God. Adam and Eve also are brought to salvation through the blood, death and resurrection in picture of the Burnt Offering in Genisis. all the sacrifices in Genisis is the Burnt Offering based on the Riches of His Mercy which is brought to us - Grace in that offering. Oh what Grace, oh what Truth through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Somethings for consideration.

[jpurssey]

The central message is to Jesus' disciples, then and now.

Our focus should not be on looking for sin as causes for a person's misfortune, but should see these situations as a place to show God's grace.
How often have we heard Christians claim that evil has befallen someone because of some sin. This is wrong-headed according to Jesus. His disciples have to learn that these are not the right questions. Change your mindset you disciples and learn to think of God's love.

We live in a world that loves to apportion blame. His disciples must focus on healing bad situations. Then they will be in the image of God and will show the image of God to the world.

[andyeden]

Yes dear brother, so wonderfully put.

The heart is the center of the issue. The type of heart, in Israel, which in scripture and with all of the Lord's direct healings reveal the state of the heart of Israel as a nation and in individuals of high office in the Sanhedrin. The wonder of how the Lord deals with each of our hearts individually is a wonder to me. Blindness was one of the Healing prophecies in the old testament that in the healings of individuals our Lord fulfilled, both in the Commandment of His Father, he was sent, and also to the house of Israel and its rejection for the "Believe me for the very work sake"...which they too rejected.

Remember the passages in Mark 1 beginning at verse 21, through to the end of that chapter, where the Man with the withered hand, then next was Peters Mother in Law, then the healing of the Leper. All the Miracles were done in Capernum. Which means in the greek "Rest' or the City of Rest. Notice, the Man with the Withered hand, - In the Temple - a place representing spiritual rest for the soul,, where there was only unrest in Israel, could do no work for God, this man's hand is healed that work can begin again and Spiritual rest can be found again in Israel.

Then Peters mother in law, had a fever, mental unrest, then the man in Leprosy - Physical Unrest - all healed and brought into Christs rest. Yes the Blindness is clear that we have no sense of the blindness we were once in and the World. But with all that Jesus has done in his time with Israel, can we understand such blindness? Unrest? and in the City called Rest! What a deception......"Because you say we see"...because we say we are at rest....because we say we are comforted....because we say we can work for God....how dark is this blindness! I like the last part of the chapeter...show yourself to the Priest...Grace healed them all!! Not Law....The Priest became the witness that Grace came by Jesus Christ and healing to israel but not through the Priest or the Law, -

Happy New Year.

Andy Eden

[andyeden]

There is a correction.....my memory was not accurate...in verse 21 on of Chapter 1 the Lord heals a Demoniac at Capernaum in the Synagog. I mentioned that the man with the weathered hand was healed in this chapter; that is incorrect....although both were healed in a place of worship, where there should have been spiritual rest to the soul, but here the defined Spiritual unrest is made aware of the Presence of the one who has the truth of the Rest for the soul. The demons are removed from the man.

Andy Eden

[jpurssey]

Thanks Andy,

I had not been aware of the meaning of Capernaum, nor of the theme of unrest where there should be rest.
I will keep it in mind the next time I read Mark.