Today’s Reading: John 9:13-17
Hearing God’s Voice for Today:
“Some of the Pharisees said, ‘This man is not from God, for he does not keep the Sabbath.’”
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The blind man Jesus had healed was taken to the Pharisees. They were the leaders and watchdogs over Jewish propriety regarding the Law. They were exceedingly upset that Jesus had given sight to him on the Sabbath.
When the Lord used saliva to make the mud to put on the blind man’s eyes, the Jewish leaders made an association with one of their 39 classes of work forbidden on the Sabbath. This was in accordance with the Mishnah—what the Jewish leaders used to interpret the Law. They continued to carefully quiz the man—looking for any reason to condemn Jesus.
Why do people try to reduce God’s love and compassion to rules and regulations? The Father in heaven’s relationship with the Israelites began in intimacy with their deliverance from Egyptian slavery. The Law, given at Mount Sinai, was given after the relationship with him was established. Grace came first. Then came the Law.
But instead of the Law being a means to an end, it became the end itself. Making sure no work was done on the Sabbath became more important than giving sight to a man born blind. The Jewish leaders failed to understand that the Sabbath was made for man—to help him worship God and rest—not man for the Sabbath. It was a gift from the Father.
How easy it is for this to happen to Jesus’ followers! He desires to enter into a personal, living, and dynamic relationship with you. He wants you to know him intimately and experience his great grace. Obedience to his Law flows from this relationship.
But some people continue to reduce his grace to rules and regulations. They form a spiritual checklist—Bible study, prayer, fasting, service, church attendance—check, check, check, check, check. Then they think they’ve been faithful.
How sad! A living relationship is reduced to a list of do’s and don’ts. Eventually your heart will harden. Your love will vanish like a vapor before the morning sun. A scowl will replace a smile. Your shoulders will become heavy and your heart weary. You will always wonder if you are ever doing enough to please the Lord.
Come to him today. Know how much he cares for you. Believe that his most important priority is a personal relationship with you. He is your friend. Know how much he loves you. In response, love him with all your heart, soul, mind, and might. Then love your neighbor as you love yourself.
Loving God and your neighbor is the encapsulation of all the Law. As you do these two things, you’ll discover a lifetime’s worth of work to do.
And your life will have meaning like never before.
[from “Hearing the Voice of God” by Pastor David Chadwick, Moments of Hope Church, Charlotte, NC]