Scripture
“If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.”

Observation
Jesus and his disciples come across a man born blind. The disciples ask who sinned for this man to be blind. Jesus replies that it is not about sin but for the purpose of glorifying God.

Jesus spits, makes some mud with the saliva and rubs it on the man’s eyes. Jesus tells the man to go and wash in the Pool of Siloam, which he does and he is then healed.

The Pharisees investigate the healing, questioning the man and his parents. The man testifies that he doesn’t know much about Jesus but he does know that he was once blind but now he can see.

Application
Religion makes us blind to the activity of God. Like the Pharisees, we can be so intent on protecting God’s reputation that we miss what He is actually doing.

Healing a man born blind was one of three miracles that only the Messiah could perform. The Pharisees needed to make sure that this healing was authentic. But their fear of promoting a false Messiah prevented them from seeing what the true Messiah had actually done. They rejected the man’s testimony and they rejected Jesus.

Some Christians are so afraid of being misled by counterfeits that they discount all miracles, healing and spiritual gifts. They then miss out on what God is doing all around them and run the risk of attributing God’s works to satan.

Jesus is still healing people and He is still performing all kinds of signs for those who will see them. We need to open our eyes, using spiritual discernment to separate God’s works from the devil’s.

Prayer
Show me Jesus what you are doing in the world now. Let me be open to the works of your Spirit. Amen.

Scripture
“God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.”

Observation
Nicodemus, a member of the ruling council, comes to see Jesus at night. He acknowledges that Jesus is a teacher sent by God because of the signs He has performed.  Jesus says to him, “You cannot see the kingdom of God until you are born again.”
Jesus goes on to teach Nicodemus that to be born again, one must be born of the Spirit.  Jesus is more than a teacher but He is the Son of Man come down from heaven.
God loved the world so much that He sent His one and only Son to give us eternal life. The  Son came into the world to save it not to condemn it. This salvation comes through believing in Jesus.

Application
To be born again is not a religious experience but a truly spiritual one. When we come to Jesus and ask Him to forgive us, the Holy Spirit comes into our spirit and brings it to life. We are then born of both flesh and the Spirit.
Jesus came into the world and gave up His life to bring freedom from sin, to forgive us and to give us a new life in which God comes first.
You can’t be saved by a religious experience, a ritual or a spoken prayer alone. To be saved means casting everything aside and trusting Jesus to pay the price for our salvation.  It is a life change based on a decision that we will follow Jesus in everything we do.

Prayer
Lord Jesus  I come to you now to lay my whole life at your feet. I confess the things I have done that are wrong and I ask you to forgive me. Thank you for dying for me on the cross. Come now and raise me to a new life, life in the Spirit. Amen.

Scripture

The next day, John saw Jesus coming towards him and said, “Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin on the world!”

Observation

John the Baptist testifies that Jesus is the Lamb of God sent to take away the sin of the world. He saw the Holy Spirit coming down on Jesus and recognises that He is the Christ.

Two of John’s disciples go to follow Jesus. They go to the place where Jesus is staying to hear Him teach.

One of these two, Andrew, goes to find his brother Simon whom he tells “we have found the Messiah.” Simon comes to follow Jesus also.

Application

A testimony is a powerful thing. Telling others what we know or have seen can literally change their lives.

John testifies that Jesus is the Messiah.

Andrew testifies that he has found the Messiah.

Our testimony of a life changed by our relationship with Christ will influence the hearts and minds of those around us.

We will not always see the results, and not everyone will be convinced. That is not our problem. Our assignment is to tell others of what we have seen Jesus do.

Prayer

Please help me Lord to share a testimony of your grace today. Amen.