May 12: CAST OUT (part 2)

Continued from yesterday…

Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when He had found him, He said to him, “Do you believe in the Son of God?” He answered and said, “Who is He, Lord, that I may believe in Him?” John 9:36

The man born blind became a spiritual “newborn” when he gained his sight; his readiness to place full trust in Christ is revealed in his question: “Who is He, Lord, that I may believe in Him?” For every dear soul who seeks to know who Jesus is, an exciting journey of discovery awaits…. A spiritual newborn “babe” who walks with Jesus is taken from glory to glory (2 Corinthians 3:18), as more of the Lord’s character is revealed. By beholding… all who walk with Jesus are being transformed. The sanctification of our characters is what spiritual growth is all about. Only the Creator can remake us in His image. But He will not do it without our consent. We must desire the process of redemption to be made fit for heaven.

The conversation with Jesus continues: And Jesus said to him, “You have both seen Him and it is He who is talking with you.” Then he said, “Lord, I believe!” And he worshiped Him (John 9:37-38).

This man’s worship of Jesus was pure, regardless of the fact that he had been cast out of the religious assembly. It is revealing that, instead of rejoicing over the marvelous miracle in the man’s life and the overflow of his heart (for he had said, “If this Man were not from God, He could do nothing), they became sharply critical of him. Their unteachable spirit was reflected in their words. They answered and said to him, “You were completely born in sins, and are you teaching us?” And they cast him out (v.34). They had already decided that Jesus was not from God, for He did not heed their manmade laws for Sabbath keeping (v.16). Now, the seeing man is publicly castigated. This is a pattern*, and if we are to be prepared for history’s close, we must not be surprised by criticism from those who profess to represent God. Paul pleads:

I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all… Ephesians 4:1-6a

*Further examples: Numbers 12:1-2; 14:2; 1 Samuel 1:12-14; 17:28; Nehemiah 4:1-3; Matthew 12:13-14; Mark 3:1-6; John 5:9-10, 15-16; 6:41; 9:22; 15:25; 16:1-3; Revelation 12:17; 14:12