12/20/16
The earliest Christians followed a Jewish tradition of pausing to pray, preferably together, first thing in the morning, about mid morning, at noon, about mid afternoon, and in the evening. “Just a Note” posts are brief observations made from Scripture readings not related to a lectionary. If I have one to post, it normally appears about 9:00 in the morning, at “the hour of prayer.”
Sometimes we seem to spiritualize Jesus’ knowledge and actions in ways that aren’t allowed for in the Scripture. How did Jesus know about the problem the man healed in John 9 was enduring? He heard about it. It doesn’t say where or how. Someone must have been talking about it. However Jesus heard, we look at what he did. He went and found the man. After all, this man has never seen Jesus. He might recognize the voice, but he has never seen the face.
Jesus’ caring question is about his belief. He doesn’t work with the situation of being thrown out of the synagogue, of the alienation from the family, or anything else. First things first. Do you believe the Son of Man? The man, of course, cannot answer the question. He does not know who this Son of Man might be. Jesus makes it clear that he himself is the Son of Man. Yes, that’s the person. The formerly blind man agrees. You, Jesus, are the one I want to believe.
Jesus has made a discipole. He has shown his glory. He receives worship as the Son of Man. He is the one who knows us. We have no need to fear. Jesus is on the case.
If this brief meditation was helpful to you, I hope you will check out the other materials on our website at www.WittenbergCoMo.com and consider supporting us.
The earliest Christians followed a Jewish tradition of pausing to pray, preferably together, first thing in the morning, about mid morning, at noon, about mid afternoon, and in the evening. “Just a Note” posts are brief observations made from Scripture readings not related to a lectionary. If I have one to post, it normally appears about 9:00 in the morning, at “the hour of prayer.”
Sometimes we seem to spiritualize Jesus’ knowledge and actions in ways that aren’t allowed for in the Scripture. How did Jesus know about the problem the man healed in John 9 was enduring? He heard about it. It doesn’t say where or how. Someone must have been talking about it. However Jesus heard, we look at what he did. He went and found the man. After all, this man has never seen Jesus. He might recognize the voice, but he has never seen the face.
Jesus’ caring question is about his belief. He doesn’t work with the situation of being thrown out of the synagogue, of the alienation from the family, or anything else. First things first. Do you believe the Son of Man? The man, of course, cannot answer the question. He does not know who this Son of Man might be. Jesus makes it clear that he himself is the Son of Man. Yes, that’s the person. The formerly blind man agrees. You, Jesus, are the one I want to believe.
Jesus has made a discipole. He has shown his glory. He receives worship as the Son of Man. He is the one who knows us. We have no need to fear. Jesus is on the case.
If this brief meditation was helpful to you, I hope you will check out the other materials on our website at www.WittenbergCoMo.com and consider supporting us.
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