John 9:1-11 ~ Siloam

 

Today on Social Media,

one person asked, why are we, ALL,

so blue?

It was a difficult week to experience so many degrees of weather change.

John 9:1-11

As Jesus passed by, He saw a man blind from birth. 

2 And His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” 

3 Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him. 4 We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work. 5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” 

6 Having said these things, He spit on the ground and made mud with the saliva. Then He anointed the man's eyes with the mud 7 and said to him,

“Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which means Sent). 

So he went and washed and came back seeing.

8 The neighbors and those who had seen him before as a beggar were saying, “Is this not the man who used to sit and beg?”

 9 Some said, “It is he.” 

Others said, “No, but he is like him.” 

He kept saying, “I am the man.” 

10 So they said to him, “Then how were your eyes opened?” 

11 He answered, “The man called Jesus made mud and anointed my eyes and said to me, ‘Go to Siloam and wash.’ So I went and washed and received my sight.” 

This Scripture is one of my favorites. Jesus is Living Water.  Water flows as it will, getting into all sorts of deep topography, unseen theretofore.  Jesus is Living Water!

And it reminds me of the things young, innocent children will do, with a long summer's day. Even eat mud pies. And Jesus reaches to the earth, God's Good Creation, adds Living Water and applies this to the blind man.  Jesus would have to find a blind man to allow an adult to do this to him. It is the tenderness, the innocence, the magnificence, and our Real and Loving Jesus. The Power of God's Healing. 

The Depths and Height and Involvement of Jesus, The King of Kings.

Jesus loves us individually. 

And as His People. Jesus allows a man able to find the pool Siloam, who was blind from birth, to travel with mud closing his eyes to Siloam. The man is, of course, capable, walking like this. Making everyone understand the man was indeed blind. This was not a pretense at being blind all his life and, then, changing his mind. No one would forget seeing the man going down the road, eyes covered with mud, finding the pool of Siloam.  And the man was not going to turn down Jesus in John's 9th Chapter, everyone was in expectation of Jesus and His Power to heal.  

We will not turn down Jesus, today! And lift up our heart and soul to His Love, Mercy, Grace and Way.

Isaiah 6:8

Then I said, “Here am I! Send me.”

Abba, Father,

Our heart hears the call from You.

And we see in Scripture 

the mercy of the merciful

Luke 17:17-19

Then Jesus answered, 

“Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? 

Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” 

And He said to him, 

“Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.”

Help us to live each day

putting You first.

As the Name of Jesus covers us

and the Holy Spirit dwells in us.

We ask healing

of Your Good Creation

The fullness of the earth is Yours.

The healing of those we pray for
in our heart and soul.

Dwell in us, Father,

Dwell fully in those we love,

Help us to seek You first

and we will finish well in Jesus Christ.

Thank You.

Our God is working. His Son, 

Jesus is working.

Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

YES Bless the Lord Jesus

Thank You Jesus

John 5:19-29 ~ Marvel

 

John 5:19-29

So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of His own accord, but only what He sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise. 

20 For the Father loves the Son and shows Him all that He Himself is doing. And greater works than these will He show Him, so that you may 
marvel. 

21 For as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whom He will. 22 For the Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son, 23 that all may honor the Son, just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him. 

24 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears My Word and believes Him Who sent Me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.

25 “Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. 26 For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son also to have life in Himself. 27 And He has given Him authority to execute judgment, because He is the Son of Man. 

28 Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear His Voice 29 and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment.

Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, Savior of the world, Light of Heaven, Light of the world, Light of nations, Light of mankind, upset the Pharisees and the Sadducees quite often.

The Book of Ezekiel

The controversial Book of Ezekiel nearly didn't make it into the biblical canon, but it has had a lasting impact on both liturgical practice and mystical traditions.

By Dr. Solomon B. Freehof

  

  

  “The Book of Ezekiel would have been hidden away” (nignaz Sefer Yehezkel). The rabbis were greatly troubled by the fact that the Book of Ezekiel gives certain laws, chiefly as to the Temple procedures, which actually contradict the laws given in the Book of Leviticus. They had a further objection: The opening chapters (chapters 1-3) of the Book of Ezekiel present a detailed picture of God coming in a chariot, surrounded by retinues of angels, etc. This picture, called “the arrangement of the chariot” (ma’aseh merkavah), became the starting point of special mystical studies. Though deemed important by the rabbis, such studies were considered dangerous for the uninitiated, and therefore the rabbis said that these chapters should not be studied, except by the learned few (Mishnah Hagigah2: 1). How, then, could they permit such a book to be part of the Bible, to be read by anyone?

These legal and mystical objections of the rabbis were ultimately not deemed sufficient grounds for excluding the Book of Ezekiel from the Bible.  Evidently the rabbis held the Book of Ezekiel to be authentic. Hence, they felt, it was an inspired prophecy, properly belonging in the Bible, and its difficulties were difficulties which could be resolved.

Particularly in the 2nd Century A.D., The Book of Ezekiel gathered more rancor.

Pontius Pilate wrote a letter, quickly, about Jesus and the marvel surrounding Good Friday to Emperor Tiberius 'Claudius' Nero. Tertullian and Justin Martyr refer to an account of Christ's Passion sent by Pilate to Rome. The letter is lost today.

The Gospel of Matthew, 27th Chapter

Why didn't everyone get in a flap over this particular day in the Minister of Jesus Christ. Matthew 22 caused a terrific upset when the Pharisees and the Sadducees wanted to find out who the sister would really be married to, in the (cough, cough) resurrection the Sadducees denied Heaven existed.

Why not the flap in John 5? It was poetic.  Much of the Scriptures has, in some generations, been debunked as dreamy poetry. 

Marvel. Worship. Wonder. Awe. Create Faith. 

Jesus was building the Multitudes who would return to the Temple and fill all 36 acres as He was found to be alive.  This is in the Book of Acts, in several places.

Jesus also upset the Pharisees because:

The quotes of Jesus Christ didn't include: It's a great day, let's call the Word of God poetic. Let's always just be nice.  Oh, He didn't mean that part, that's from the disgruntled. That part was so yesterday, the Bronze Age. It's all good.  That was a thousand years ago.

Jesus also upset the Pharisees because:

The quotes of Jesus Christ didn't include:  Bring down fire from Heaven. Let's not help that one, he's not Jewish, remember the widow of Zarephath. Stick to the Law. Might makes right. We need more shame. Skip helping the weak ones. 

Jesus also upset the Pharisees because:

He said Marvel. And what Jesus Christ proclaimed seemed way out. Jesus said He would fulfill the Law through Mercy. Jesus Christ, perfectly, looked at the times and seasons, then He did all things well. So many times, when we sort our life input or information, we do not see how the magnificent and impossible to personally achieve Scriptures could be accomplished.  And Jesus really, and always, Lived Joy. 

He said Marvel. And Jesus loved Joy in our worship. Even humor. Love. Mercy. Hope.

Faith!

Jesus is capable

for

ALL

Live

Love

Joyful

in

Hope

Luke 1:76-79

  

You will go before the Lord to prepare His ways,

to give knowledge of salvation to his people

    in the forgiveness of their sins,

because of the tender Mercy of our God

  Whereby the sunrise shall visit us 

from on high

 to give Light 

to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,

    to guide our feet into the way of 

peace.

Abba, Father,

Our heart hears the call from You.

And we see in Scripture 

the mercy of the merciful

Luke 17:17-19

Then Jesus answered, 

“Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? 

Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” 

And He said to him, 

“Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.”

Help us to live each day

putting You first.

As the Name of Jesus covers us

and the Holy Spirit dwells in us.

We pray diligently

and with our hearts

for the fires in

the Texas Panhandle

to have relief.

If you have an airplane,

or can support

fire relief

in the Texas Panhandle,

please do this.

Most Particularly, if you flew over

to take photos of the animals

and buildings,

causing those who are in

distress

to feel

Worse.

Help the Relief Efforts

to let them know.

We thank You, Father,

that desert fires

will cause new blooms.

And pray Your Mercy

on the people,

animals, homes

and businesses.

We ask healing

of Your Good Creation

The fullness of the earth is Yours.

The healing of those we pray for
in our heart and soul.

Dwell in us, Father,

Dwell fully in those we love,

Help us to seek You first

and we will finish well in Jesus Christ.

Thank You.

Our God is working. His Son, 

Jesus is working.

Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

YES Bless the Lord Jesus

Thank You Jesus

Luke 5:17-26 ~ the Power of the Lord was with HIm

 

Luke 5:17-26

On one of those days, as He was teaching

Pharisees and teachers of the law were sitting there, who had come from every village of Galilee and Judea and from Jerusalem.

 And the power of the Lord was with Him to heal.

 18 And behold, some men were bringing on a bed a man who was paralyzed, and they were seeking to bring him in and lay him before Jesus, 19 but finding no way to bring him in, because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and let him down with his bed through the tiles into the midst before Jesus. 

20 And when He saw their faith, he said, “Man, your sins are forgiven you.”

 21 And the scribes and the Pharisees began to question, saying, “Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?” 

22 When Jesus perceived their thoughts, He answered them, “Why do you question in your hearts? 23 Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’? 24 But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”

—He said to the man who was paralyzed—

“I say to you, rise, pick up your bed and go home.” 

25 And immediately he rose up before them and picked up what he had been lying on and went home, glorifying God. 

26 And amazement seized them all, and they glorified God and were filled with awe, saying, “We have seen extraordinary things today.”

According to Christian research, 2/3rds of Christians know God has heard their prayer and given them an unexplained, no other explanation, than a miracle of God to help their private and wondrous prayer to our Father. 

Even the Scripture we read today is a Miracle. Domitian – Domitian was a Roman emperor from 81 to 96 A.D. The son of Vespasian and the younger brother of Titus, destroyer of Jerusalem in 70 A.D. 

Domitian hauled St. John from Ephesus and exiled him to Patmos. Continued to be fearful of Christians. Conducted one of the fiercest battles against Christians. Under Domitan, the Church split in half. Domitan Heresy, the Church is only for saints. Domitan tortured until Christians surrendered every fragment of the Gospels and New Testament he could find. 81-96 AD. Because of Domitan – we have the word traitor: Part of the Church wanted to forever exile anyone who lied to get out of torture or gave up Scripture. Forgiveness is the business of the Church and Jesus Christ.

Because of Domitan, we only have 15 fragments of the Gospel before 96 AD. But these portions exist and date to 30 AD.

Even the Scripture we read today is a Miracle. Someone wrote this down, someone carried the Scripture to safety. And someone protected the people and the papyrus.

 
One of the two prayers I remember God worked and I think of and have my faith bolstered: 

In 5th grade, 1975, I had a friend who walked on the bone of her side ankle. She was born like this. And I took this to my grandmother and step-grandfather, Rev Tate Young. We began to pray for her at Sunday dinners. And suddenly, her foot was correct. Then in 2011, I was in Bible Study, in another city, decades later, and was asked, what was the first prayer God answered and you remember. You were the only person with this in your prayer life. I answered my friend's ankle and her name. And, behold! We had this friend in common, across the gigantic State of Texas, many years later!  And she knew of our mutual friend's miracle from Jesus.

In Arkansas, we were vacationing with extended family, November 1993. I stayed behind to attend to our youngest son, and then had to change shoes to hike.  I had to move quickly to catch up. And as I did, a couple, in their 50s, just wouldn't move to the side of the path. I had to say, excuse me, and then touch her arm to move past her. If I didn't, I could be lost on the hike. I noticed her arm was as hard as a rock and said, “Muscular arm.” Both cried out, “It's the scar from an enormous dog attack!!! And it's painful in this state!”  I briefly turned around and said I am so sorry, I didn't mean to cause you pain.  “Oh, it's not you, it's just terrible.”  I said, Ok, I will pray for you, but I must hurry to catch up.  It was automatic. And they said nothing. I was slightly embarrassed. 

As I caught up to Edward, I told him how that fell out of my mouth.  The next morning, I was leaving the State Lodge after breakfast, again trying to catch up for cleaning up after my sons.  And the husband, caught me in the exit hallway and really yelled at me.  Loudly. He said, “What did you do to my Wife???” I was puzzled and asked for clarification. He yelled, “You said you prayed for her?” Now I looked at the exit, get away from nutty.  He quit yelling, seeing my reaction, and asked again, “Did you pray for her?”  Yes, I did. How? I answered, I asked the Lord as I hurried down the path. Did you say the Prayer? What? The one in the Bible?  Hmm. “Oh, yes, the Lord's Prayer.”   What else did you do?  Om. I told my husband and we probably both prayed, but not anything very formal.  The husband asked, “You just prayed and it was casual and she was completely healed from her upper arm to her elbow?” Yes. 

Her husband replied, not looking at me. “We have to get back to Church.” To his back, going down the hallway, I said, “Sounds like the Lord would like that.” 

Lent is a good time to tell the people you love about Your Answered Prayers. And ask them to go to Church, Again!

Isaiah 41:10

Fear not, 

for I am with you; 

be not dismayed, 

for I am your God.

I will strengthen you, 

I will help you, 

I will uphold you with 

My Righteous Right Hand.

Abba, Father,

Our heart hears the call from You.

And we see in Scripture 

the mercy of the merciful

Luke 17:17-19

Then Jesus answered, 

“Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? 

Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” 

And He said to him, 

“Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.”

Help us to live each day

putting You first.

As the Name of Jesus covers us

and the Holy Spirit dwells in us.

We ask healing

of Your Good Creation

The fullness of the earth is Yours.

The healing of those we pray for
in our heart and soul.

Dwell in us, Father,

Dwell fully in those we love,

Help us to seek You first

and we will finish well in Jesus Christ.

Thank You.

Our God is working. His Son, 

Jesus is working.

Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

YES Bless the Lord Jesus

Thank You Jesus