Out of Control
Friday - March 27 - Read John 9:26-34
John 9:26-34
26 They said to him, “What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?” 27 He answered them, “I have told you already, and you would not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you also want to become his disciples?” 28 And they reviled him, saying, “You are his disciple, but we are disciples of Moses. 29 We know that God has spoken to Moses, but as for this man, we do not know where he comes from.” 30 The man answered, “Why, this is an amazing thing! You do not know where he comes from, and yet he opened my eyes. 31 We know that God does not listen to sinners, but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does his will, God listens to him. 32 Never since the world began has it been heard that anyone opened the eyes of a man born blind. 33 If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.” 34 They answered him, “You were born in utter sin, and would you teach us?” And they cast him out.
We like to have the sense of control in our lives. For the Jews, the law of Moses gave them comfort because it allowed them to believe that their destiny was in their own hands. If they did the right thing and kept the law then God would reward them. God's law gave them a sense of control. What do you use or do to feel “in control”? Now Jesus is going around healing people who do not deserve it! That can't be right! If anyone can be healed for no good reason then what good is being “good” and keeping the law? The truth is that God is in control and that is Good News because the God who is in control loves you! Jesus freely forgives your sin and gives you access to the Kingdom of God, not because you earned it but because He loves you! This frees us from the need to be in control so that we can go out and love others the way that God first loved us.
Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, help me to experience Your love more deeply and intimately in my life. Set me free from the ways that I try to control my life and the lives of others. Remove the judgment in my heart and give me a new heart of love for others. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.
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