Today’s Focal Passage: John 9:17, 24-25, 31-33, 35-38
17 Again they asked the blind man, "What do you say about Him, since He opened your eyes?" "He's a prophet," he said.
24 So a second time they summoned the man who had been blind and told him, "Give glory to God. We know that this man is a sinner!" 25 He answered, "Whether or not He's a sinner, I don't know. One thing I do know: I was blind, and now I can see!"
31 We know that God doesn't listen to sinners, but if anyone is God-fearing and does His will, He listens to him. 32 Throughout history no one has ever heard of someone opening the eyes of a person born blind. 33 If this man were not from God, He wouldn't be able to do anything."
35 When Jesus heard that they had thrown the man out, He found him and asked, "Do you believe in the Son of Man?" 36 "Who is He, Sir, that I may believe in Him?" he asked. 37 Jesus answered, "You have seen Him; in fact, He is the One speaking with you." 38 "I believe, Lord!" he said, and he worshiped Him.
“CTU, this is Bauer.”
I watched my first episode of 24 on a flight from JFK to Istanbul in 2007. I had heard of the show and knew of its fan base, but I hadn’t watched. But since I knew I don’t sleep well on airplanes, I bought the entire first season on iTunes. I’ve now seen every season of 24, all chronicles of just one 24-hour period where you can guarantee two things. First, Jack Bauer will be mistrusted, reprimanded, and maybe even arrested in an effort to stop him from doing what he deems necessary to save the world. And second, Jack Bauer will eventually save the world. My beef for those characters who would question Bauer is simply this: Look at his track record. He is never wrong and always gets the job done. His record speaks for itself. How much more true of Christ! His record and those affected are all the proof we need to believe.
This miracle of Jesus was performed on the Sabbath. The question for the Pharisees regarded whether Jesus could be from God if He didn’t observe the Sabbath and that being true, how a sinner could perform such a wonder (9:16). A man was blind. Of that fact, the scoffers that day could be certain. He was given sight. Of that fact, the scoffers that day could also be certain. What additional proof did they need? Of his divinity, they still had questions. Of his ability, there could be no doubt.
The man who was healed had no reservations. He knew that Jesus was from God or else he would not see. He encountered Christ and he worshipped. You and I have encountered the miracles of Christ. Not just those recorded in scripture but those in our own lives and in the lives of others around us. We have seen with certainty prayers answered and revelation given.
In one of those all-too-familiar urgent 24 moments, Jack’s loyalty and ability came into question again in Season 7. He simply responds, “With all due respect, Madam President, ask around.” Jack Bauer is no more than a fictional character on TV and certainly not a Christ-figure. But as the storyline goes, his reputation precedes him. So does the reputation of Christ. He can be more than trusted. When you have moments of doubt, ask around. The bible if full of examples and our churches are full of testimonies of the power of Christ and His miracles.
o Where in your life is the proof of Christ’s power?
o In what ways have you seen Him work miracles?
o Can others look at your life and gain the proof they need?
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