PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: John 9:13-23
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“This man is not from God, for he does not keep the Sabbath.” (John 9:16)
The original idea of the sabbath was to give workers a break from their work.
It was a gift day, a bonus holiday, every week, for the body to be renewed.
Jesus understood the value of personal renewal, He often took sabbath breaks.
But the sabbath is not a day to stop living and loving.
Caring, sharing, loving and serving are daily tasks, as normal as breathing.
It’s not a job, for which we slave, so that we can make money.
It should be the default state of every living human being, always.
The religious leaders turned the sabbath into a burden.
‘Don’t do this, don’t do that…’ but they were missing the point.
God blesses us with the gift of rest, but we never rest from loving God or people.
It is a continuous debt that must always be paid.
“Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another,
for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law.” (Romans 13:8)
Jesus was not breaking the law, He was fulfilling it!
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for the gift of rest. But with your help, may I never rest from loving you or people!
Finding rest – sabbath. “This man is not from God, for he does not keep the Sabbath.” The blind man was healed – he had found rest from the challenge of living without sight – being dependent on his friends and family. Jesus brought rest and he brings it to me- especially rest from sin and anxiety – giving me rest/peace in the face of looming uncertainty and challenges to our daily living. I get anxious and the news adds to that – that’s why the Good News is so important. Lord Jesus, I find Sabbath in you – you have proven to me that you are God and you are the source of Sabbath rest!
Who were the blind ones? The religious leaders were blind by their own views – like what could be done on the Sabbath. They were blind to God’s intentions, being instruments of His peace. Living for Jesus, speaking His Words and doing His deeds must be done at all times. Help me daily Lord that on my journey of learning that I constantly walk in Your Light that I may truly see what I need to do this day. May I praise Him by all what I do and say this day that He has made to worship Him.
Refrain:
All of my life, I will praise the living God,
My heart full of joy,
I will bless his holy name.
Bless the Lord, O my soul!
And never forget his gifts.
Bless the Lord, O my soul!
He pardons all our sins.
Bless the Lord, O my soul!
He saves us from all harm.
Bless the Lord, O my soul!
He fills our life with good.
Bless the Lord, O my soul!
He keeps us ever young.
Bless the Lord, O my soul!
His mercy never ends.
Bless the Lord, O my soul!
His kindness never ends.
Bless the Lord, O my soul!
His promises he keeps.
Bless the Lord, O my soul!
He died to bring us life.
Bless the Lord, O my soul!
He is the Bread of Life.
Bless the Lord, O my soul!
In him we find all love.