Christian Family Services Ministry

11-29-2020 – A Word to the Wise – The Enigma of Belief & Unbelief

Two passages in John provides for the hearer two very similar situations with dramatically different outcomes. Let’s compare the two situation.

John 5 John 9

Lame Blind

38 years From birth

Jesus approached Jesus approached

Pool of water Pool of water

Heals on Sabbath Heals on Sabbath

Charge: Sabbath violation Charge: Sabbath violation

Jews Demand who healed Jews Demand who healed

Not know who healed Not know who healed

Jesus finds invites belief Jesus finds invites belief

Relationship sin & suffering Rejects relationship sin & suffering

Sought to betray Jesus Sought to defend Jesus

Jesus said must work Jesus said must work

Now there is an important lesson to be observed here which really reflects the type of response one sees today. Jesus heals both men. By grace today Jesus offers salvation to all men.

However, just as in these two situations we have this enigma of belief and unbelief apparent in ones response to Jesus.

On the one hand the individual thankful for Jesus’ presence and soul healing experience determines that the remainder of their days will be lived in expressions of gratitude and allegiance for His gift.

In contrast the person who takes saving grace for granted wasting time and resources on self-indulgent toys and experiences.

So it is for each one of us to decide how we are going to respond to the healing power of Jesus in our life. Self or Him?