Now What Do I Do?

Daily Reading: John 9

He said, “Lord, I believe,” and he worshiped him. (John 9.38)

Devotional Thought: John 9 has just one story: Jesus healing a man born blind.  Some Pharisees who were ruling the local 'church' were so invested in their religious system that they refused to accept Jesus as anything more than an imposter.

To the man born blind, however, Jesus was the real deal!  Who else could heal one born blind?  The Pharisees booted him out of the 'church' because his simple testimony threatened their power!  Jesus returned to bring him hope!  The man didn't know him, for his blindness was not cured until he washed in the pool of Siloam.  When Jesus revealed himself to him, he exclaimed, “I believe!”  How could he not believe?  Jesus gave him something he had never had before.  Sight.

I was taken by what the man did next: He worshiped Jesus.  He recognized what so many miss today.  Jesus is not just a hero who rescues us.  Jesus is not just a cosmic Santa Claus doling out gifts.  He is not our “buddy.”  He is God Almighty!  He is worthy of our worship.  Yes, Jesus is our friend, and he would have it no other way.  But, when we forget that our friend is the King of kings and Lord of lords, when we neglect to worship him as the Creator of life and Conqueror of death, when we somehow disregard the fact that he is the Author of history and salvation, then we deprive ourselves of something.

We will all believe in him someday, for every knee will bow and every tongue confess that he is Lord!  But when we believe, really believe, our hearts are stirred to worship!

Prayer: Yes, Lord, I sing, "What a Friend We Have in Jesus!"  My heart stirs to think that you would be my Friend.  But I also sing that you, O Lord, are the Almighty Creator, the First and the Last."  I worship you, O King!  Amen.

Psalm of the Day: 35.18-21

18 I will thank you in the great congregation; in the mighty throng I will praise you.

19 Let not those rejoice over me who are wrongfully my foes, and let not those wink the eye who hate me without cause.

20 For they do not speak peace, but against those who are quiet in the land they devise words of deceit.

21 They open wide their mouths against me; they say, "Aha, Aha! Our eyes have seen it!"