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OceanSide church of Christ
Read devotionals for November 2021
December 1, 2021
John 9:17 – They say unto the blind man again, What sayest thou of him, that he hath opened thine eyes? He said, He is a prophet.
Thought: At times interrogators ask the wrong question. The Pharisees were questioning the man who was healed of his blindness by Jesus. They asked: “What sayest thou of him?” One wonders what answer they were expecting. They did not anticipate the answer given. “He said, “He is a prophet.” This was an honest man. A mighty work had been done. He knew only a prophet could have done it. Thus, he acknowledged the truth. The Jews should have done the same. We should do the same.
Acts 2:22
December 2, 2021
John 9:18 – But the Jews did not believe concerning him, that he had been blind, and received his sight, until they called the parents of him that had received his sight.
Thought: The testimony of the healed blind man and of his neighbors was not enough for the Pharisees. Therefore, they called the man’s parents to testify. It is interesting that some individuals are not honest enough to accept the truth. They are constantly seeking ways to weasel their way out of the facts. The reality, however, is that facts do not lie. The truth does not go away. Truth stands boldly in the face of the opposition. The Jews were too busy protecting their self-interest than to accept truth.
Hebrews 3:15-19
December 3, 2021
John 9:19, 20 – And they asked them, saying, Is this your son, whom ye say was born blind? How then doeth he now see? His parents answered them, and said, We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind.
Thought: When the “blind” man’s parents were asked: “Is this your son, who ye say was born blind?” they responded, saying, “We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind.” Now what? It was confirmed by the mouths of two or three witnesses that the man was born blind. Too, he now stood before them seeing. Now what? Will these hard-hearted Jews finally believe? Will they seek out Jesus and honestly look at who He is? Their dishonest and wicked hearts would not allow that.
Deuteronomy 19:15
December 4, 2021
John 9:21 – But by what means he now seeth, we know not; or who hath opened his eyes, we know not: he is of age; ask him: he shall speak for himself.
Thought: We learn some interesting tidbits of information in this verse. First, the blind man’s parents did not know how their son was healed. This, however, did not remove the fact that he had been. Second, their son was no longer a child. They affirmed: “He is of age.” He could plainly speak for himself. These Jewish leaders did not want the truth. They were merely searching for ways to deny the miracle that had been done. Again, dishonesty does not want facts and truth.
Matthew 21:25-27
December 5, 2021
John 9:22, 23 – These words spake his parents, because they feared the Jews: for the Jews had agreed already, that if any man did confess that he was Christ, he should be put out of the synagogue. Therefore said his parents, He is of age; ask him.
Thought: Some people in high places use their power to maintain their positions of authority. The Jewish leaders did this. They did not want Jesus exalted. Those who confessed He was the Christ were cast out of the synagogue. Sadly, threats from those in high places cause many people to fear. The parents of the blind man who was healed “feared the Jews.” They were relieved their son was old enough to testify for himself. The way to deal with this type of oppression is to oppose it with fervor.
John 12:42
December 6, 2021
John 9:24 – Then again called they the man that was blind, and said unto him, Give God the praise: we know that this man is a sinner.
Thought: Those in power often try to intimidate witnesses. They encourage them to modify their testimony so it does not condemn them. The man born blind testified that it was Jesus who had restored his sight. The Jewish leaders wanted him to change his testimony and give God the praise. They gave the man a reason for changing his statement. “We know that this man (Jesus) is a sinner.” They believed Jesus was both a deceiver and a blasphemer. Surely such a man cannot work miracles.
Luke 23:1-2
December 7, 2021
John 9:25 – He answered and said, Whether he be a sinner or no, I know not: one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see.
Thought: The Jewish leaders told the blind man who had been healed that Jesus was a sinner. They hoped this information would cause him to cease giving Jesus the credit for healing him. Here is how he responded: “Whether he be a sinner or no, I know not: one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see.” This man was true to the facts. He refused to bend under the pressure of the Jewish leaders. He would not deny the good work that Jesus performed in his life. May his tribe increase.
Acts 2:22
December 8, 2021
John 9:26, 27 – Then said they to him again, What did he to thee? how opened he thine eyes? He answered them, I have told you already, and ye did not hear: wherefore would ye hear it again? will ye also be his disciples?
Thought: Here, we see another tactic used by individuals who refuse to accept facts and truth. They continue to interrogate the witness hoping to find flaws and inconsistencies in his testimony. The man born blind grew weary of their questions. His response shows his frustration. “I have told you already, and ye did not hear.” This man knew the type of people the Jewish leaders were. They would never accept the truth. They would never accept Jesus. They would never be His disciples.
Luke 22:67-68
December 9, 2021
John 9:28 – Then they reviled him, and said, Thou art his disciple; but we are Moses’ disciples.
Thought: We see two other tactics that an enemy will often use against those who do not side with them. They will revile, mock, and persecute the one who believes the facts and holds to the truth. Too, they will make the divide between themselves and others very clear. The Pharisees “reviled” the man who was healed. The word “revile” means “to vilify and to heap abuse upon.” They also put him clearly in the camp with Jesus and distinguished him from them as the followers of Moses.
Matthew 5:11-12
December 10, 2021
John 9:29 – We know that God spake unto Moses: as for this fellow, we know not from whence he is.
Thought: The Jews constantly played ignorant when it came to Jesus. Instead of accepting the mighty works that He did as genuine, they just shrugged them off. If they accepted His works, they would also have to accept His words. They did not want to do this. Regarding Jesus, they said: “…as for this fellow, we know not from whence he is.” They would then retreat to what was comfortable. “We know that God spake unto Moses.” This was interesting because they often violated Moses’ Law.
Isaiah 53:3
December 11, 2021
John 9:30 – The man answered and said unto them, Why herein is a marvelous thing, that ye know not whence he is, and yet he hath opened mine eyes.
Thought: The man born blind knew a great miracle was performed on his behalf. He could not believe the Jewish leaders would just dismiss it so casually. “Why herein is a marvelous thing,” he said to them. Thayer defines the words “marvelous thing” as: “wonderful, worthy of pious admiration, passing human comprehension, causing amazement, extraordinary, and surprising.” With this type of miracle before them, he wondered why the Jews did not acknowledged Jesus as a man of God.
Mark 6:5-6
December 12, 2021
John 9:31 – Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth.
Thought: The man who was born blind continues with a general principle that was accepted by all Jews. Individuals whose lives were caught in the throes of sin were not acceptable to God. Their sins hindered their prayers to the Father. But, if an individual were obedient to the Father’s will and truly a worshipper of God, God’s ears were open to his cries. The Jewish leaders classified Jesus as a sinner. However, the evidence proved otherwise. When He cried unto the Father, He was definitely heard.
Proverbs 15:29
December 13, 2021
John 9:32 – Since the world began was it not heard that any man opened the eyes of one that was born blind.
Thought: The man born blind now points to the scarcity of this type of miracle having ever been performed. In fact, it had never been done. The patriarchs, Moses, and the prophets had never opened the eyes of a person who was born blind. Jesus would heal several more, but it would not be until the year 1728 that man would be able to heal eyesight by means of surgery. How could Jesus perform this type of a miracle if God were not with Him? He was not a sinner. He was truly a man of God.
Matthew 15:29-31
December 14, 2021
John 9:33 – If this man were not of God, he could do nothing.
Thought: The blind man who was healed took the correct approach to this marvelous event. He had been born blind. Jesus put clay on his eyes and told him to wash and be healed. He did what he was told and his sight came to him. This man could not deny the evidence. Jesus was truly a man of God. “If this man were not of God,” he said, “He could do nothing.” The Jewish leaders should have been just as honest. However, their pride, position, and power would not allow them to accept the Christ.
Acts 8:13
December 15, 2021
John 9:34 – They answered and said unto him, Thou wast altogether born in sins, and dost thou teach us? And they cast him out.
Thought: The Jews continued in their evil ways and cast this man out of their presence. They justified their actions based upon their flawed theology. They accused this man of having been born in sin since he was blind from birth. Their theology was a lie, but it made them feel good. Remember, Jesus revealed why this man had been born blind. He said: “…that the works of God should be manifest in him.” These leaders embraced two wrongs. They rejected Jesus. They believed a flawed theology.
Job 4:7-9
December 16, 2021
John 9:35, 36 - Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when he had found him, he said unto him, Dost thou believe on the Son of God? He answered and said, Who is he, Lord, that I might believe on him?
Thought: These two verses reveal much about the character of Jesus. When Jesus heard how the healed man had been mistreated by the Jews, Jesus “found him,” Jesus sought him out to speak with him. When He found the man, He asked him: “Dost thou believe on the Son of God?” This was a bold question. Who would ever fancy meeting the Son of God? The man was deeply interested as all men should be. His question and desire were correct: “Who is he, Lord, that I might believe on him?”
Acts 8:36-39
December 17, 2021
John 9:37, 38 – And Jesus said unto him, Thou hast both seen him, and it is he that talketh with thee. And he said, Lord, I believe. And he worshipped him.
Thought: Jesus had asked the healed man if he believed on the Son of God. The man inquired: “Who is he, Lord, that I might believe on him?” Was he serious when he spoke those words? Absolutely. Jesus introduced Himself to the man, saying: “It is he that talketh with thee.” The man immediately said: “Lord, I believe.” Then, he did something else that manifested his belief. “He worshipped him.” Only God is worthy of worship. This man believed and proved it by worshipping the Christ.
John 20:26-29
December 18, 2021
John 9:39 – Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they see might be made blind.
Thought: Jesus’ words seem to contradict previous words He had spoken. Take for instance in John 8:15, Jesus said: “…”I judge no man.” Here, Jesus seems to indicate that He came into the world to be judged by man. As men judged the Christ, the outcomes would be twofold. Those who had been spiritually blind would have their eyes opened. Those who were thought to have spiritual insight would be made blind. The Jews and the man born blind were examples of the two reactions.
Luke 11:34-35
December 19, 2021
John 9:40 – And some of the Pharisees which were with him heard these words, and said unto him, are we blind also?
Thought: The Pharisees stayed as near to Jesus as possible in order to entrap Him. Jesus had just spoken about the blind and those who could see. Thus, these Jews asked Him: “Are we blind also?” Two things come to mind about this question. First, these men did not believe themselves to be blind. They were the teachers of the law. They opened the eyes of others. Second, were these men prepared for Jesus’ answer? There’s an adage that says: “Don’t ask if you don’t really want the answer.”
Romans 2:19-20
December 20, 2021
John 9:41 – Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth.
Thought: Those who were blind understood their spiritual condition. When the Great Physician appeared, they readily accepted Him and gave heed to His healing message. Those, however, who could see, were blind to their spiritual sickness. They did not believe they stood in need of healing. Thus, they rejected their Savior. In so doing, they remained in their sins. Jesus told these Jewish leaders that they were in the latter category. “…but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth.”
Luke 18:9-14
December 21, 2021
John 10:1, 2 – Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.
Thought: Albert Barnes writes: “Some have supposed that what follows here was delivered on some other occasion…but the expression verily, verily, is one which is not used at the commencement of a discourse…The Pharisees professed to be…shepherds of the people. Jesus…had charged them with being blind, and…of being unqualified to lead the people. He proceeds here to state the character of a true shepherd, to show what was a hireling, and to declare that he was the true shepherd…”
Ezekiel 34:2-5
December 22, 2021
John 10:3, 4 – To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.
Thought: There is only one true shepherd of the sheep. The porter knows Him and opens the door for Him. The sheep hear the true shepherd’s voice. The true shepherd knows the name of all His sheep. The true shepherd takes the lead as He guides His sheep. The sheep know the voice of the true shepherd. There may be many who try to pose as the true shepherd, but there is only one real one. The proofs of him abound. The sheep rejoice in His presence. They trust Him and gladly follow Him.
Psalm 78:52-53
December 23, 2021
John 10:5 – And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him; for they know not the voice of strangers.
Thought: The sheep of the true shepherd are very good at discerning voices. They know and will follow the voice of the shepherd, but “a stranger will they not follow.” Too, they “will flee from him.” Strangers do not love the sheep. Often strangers are out to harm the sheep. They certainly do not have the best interest of the sheep in mind. All Christians need to heed this lesson. Strange voices are dangerous. We must flee all strangers and follow only the true shepherd. Our lives depend upon it.
Proverbs 19:27
December 24, 2021
John 10:6 – This parable spake Jesus unto them; but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them.
Thought: For the faithful child of God today, the words Jesus spoke about the true shepherd and the sheep are simple to understand. However, when they were first spoken, those that heard Jesus’ parable “understood not what things they were which he spake unto them.” Interestingly, this was one of the purposes of a parable, that is, to hide truth from those whose hearts were corrupt. Truth hidden in a parable is understood by the honest heart, and evil hearts reject it as simply nonsense.
Matthew 13:10-15
December 25, 2021
John 10:7, 8 – Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them.
Thought: Jesus continues by telling His hearers that He is “the door of the sheep.” He is not a literal door, but He is the means of access into the fold of God. No man can enter into the precious church of Christ without gaining access through Jesus. Jesus, then, notes that all that came before Him were thieves and robbers. He refers to the spiritual leaders among the Jews, the scribes and Pharisees. They had not led the sheep, they satisfied only themselves. The people knew this and did not hear them.
Hebrews 10:19-22
December 26, 2021
John 10:9 – I am the door: by me if a man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.
Thought: Again, Jesus proclaims that He is the door. He makes two promises to those who enter in by Him. First, all who enter in “shall be saved.” They will be saved from sin, from death, and from eternal condemnation. Second, they shall go in and out and find pasture. In other words, they will be properly cared for by the Lord. They will have nourishment, protection from their enemies, and rest and peace. Again, these promises only come to those who enter into the fold by Jesus.
Isaiah 40:11
December 27, 2021
John 10:10 – The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
Thought: Jesus contrasts Himself as the true shepherd with the person who is a thief. There are some who will feign to care for the sheep. In reality, they come to steal, kill, and destroy the sheep. They are out for self and for profit. The sheep mean nothing to them. On the other hand, Jesus wants His sheep to experience life. The word for life here is “zoe.” It means a full, abundant, and animated life. Yes, Jesus came to give eternal life, but He also wants us to experience a full life as we live day by day.
Isaiah 56:11-12
December 28, 2021
John 10:11 – I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
Thought: Jesus declares that He is the “good shepherd.” He, then, remarks on one of the main responsibilities of the shepherd. “The good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.” If a bear or a wolf comes against the flock, the good shepherd is willing to fight to the death. He will lay down his life to keep his sheep safe. Jesus is foretelling His death in this verse. He knows what the future holds. He will not flee from His responsibility. He is willing to die to protect the sheep from the evil one.
I Peter 2:24-25
December 29, 2021
John 10:12, 13 – But he that is a hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth; and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. The hireling fleeth, because he is a hireling, and careth not for the sheep.
Thought: When a shepherd was sick or needed to conduct personal business, he had to be away from the flock. At those times, hirelings watched the flock. These men were paid by the shepherd to tend the flock. The problem was that the sheep were not his. He was not invested in them. He did not really care for them. When danger approached, the hireling would flee instead of protecting the sheep. The Jewish leaders had been hirelings. They cared for themselves, not the sheep.
Ezekiel 34:2-6
December 30, 2021
John 10:14, 15 – I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.
Thought: Jesus continues to stress the fact that He is the good shepherd. The relationship between the shepherd and the sheep is mutual. The shepherd knows the sheep and the sheep know the shepherd. The shepherd loves and cares for his sheep. The sheep love and trust the good shepherd who leads them. The relationship they share is much like the relationship that exists between the Father and Son. Jesus notes again that He is willing to lay down His life for the sheep, a test He will pass shortly.
Zechariah 13:7
December 31, 2021
John 10:16 – And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.
Thought: Jesus was speaking to the Jews, the people of God. They should have heard the voice of Jesus, the good shepherd, and immediately followed Him. Jesus informs them that He has other sheep that were not part of the Jewish nation. These were the Gentiles. After Calvary, He would bring them into His fold. They, too, would hear His voice and follow Him. Then, both Jews and Gentiles would be united in one fold having one shepherd. This was the mystery soon to be plainly revealed to all.
Ephesians 3:3-6
Read devotionals for January 2022