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The Scriptorium

Take That!

How much are you willing to take for the Gospel?

The Gospel of John: John 9.28-41

Read and meditate on John 9.34.
Sounding very much like the Queen of Hearts (“Off with his head!”), the exasperated Pharisees, unable to withstand the boldness and sound reasoning of a beggar, tossed him out on his ear.
                                                   34They
replied and said to him, “What’s that you say?
You who were born in sin, do you presume
to teach us?” So they cast him from the room,
and from the synagogue.

- John 9.34

Reflect
1.  Here we see the pride of the Pharisees. Pride is a terrible obstacle to the Gospel. Why? Complete this prayer: Let there be no pride in my heart, Lord, lest…

2.  We recall that Jesus was not willing to assign sin to the man born blind – not any sin for which he was responsible, at any rate. How different from that was the attitude of the Pharisees! This beggar was obviously a sinner, they concluded. How does pride affect us as we consider people from different backgrounds and circumstances? Give me a heart open to all the people to whom You send me, Lord, so that…

3.  Pride can also affect our ability to learn new things. How can you see that here? I don’t know everything, Lord, and I want to keep learning more about You, so…

4.  “And they cast him out.” They cast this man out of the community he had known all his life. He knew this was coming, just as his parents did, but he did not let the threat of this keep him from the proclaiming what he knew and what he’d experienced of Jesus. Is it possible that your witness for Jesus might find you being “cast out” from the fellowship of certain people? Explain. Give me grace to share my faith lovingly, Lord, and boldness to share it…

5. The blind-man-now-healed thoroughly showed-up the Pharisees, refuting all their arguments and standing firm in his experience of Jesus. And he paid the price. “Take that!” they seemed to say, as they booted him out of their meeting. What’s the worst you could imagine happening to you as you share your testimony to people in your Personal Mission Field? Are you willing to take that for the Gospel? Bring together into one prayer the prayers you wrote for questions 1-4.

Summary
“Of course God listens to sinners. But the man who said that had not yet washed the face of his heart in Siloam. The sacrament had already taken place in his eyes, but the benefit of grace had not yet been achieved in his heart. When did this blind man wash the face of his heart? When, after he had been thrown outside by the Jews, the Lord brought him inside into himself.’” Augustine (354-430 AD)

We are more likely to be bold and consistent in our witness if we think ahead to what can happen as a result of our testimony, and if we prepare ourselves in our souls to “take that,” whatever it may be. What good can happen from your sharing your testimony? What can you do to prepare each day for opportunities to share your testimony of what Jesus has done for you?

Closing Prayer
I will bless the LORD at all times;
His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
My soul shall make its boast in the LORD;
The humble shall hear of it and be glad.
Oh, magnify the LORD with me,
And let us exalt His name together.
I sought the LORD, and He heard me,
And delivered me from all my fears.
They looked to Him and were radiant,
And their faces were not ashamed.
This poor man cried out, and the LORD heard him,
And saved him out of all his troubles.
The angel of the LORD encamps all around those who fear Him,
And delivers them.
Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good;
Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!

Psalm 34.1-8

Psalm 34.1-9, 3 (Alleluia [Lowe]: Mighty God, While Angels Bless You)
I will bless the Lord at all times; I shall praise Him evermore!
My soul makes its boast in Jesus – Him we gladly all adore!
    Magnify the Name of Jesus!
    Let us lift His Name in praise!

When I sought the Lord, He answered, and from fear delivered me.
Those who look to Him are radiant; shamed their face shall never be.
    Magnify the Name of Jesus!
    Let us lift His Name in praise!

When I cried to God, He heard me, and from trouble rescued me.
‘Round their camp His angel lingers that they may delivered be.
    Magnify the Name of Jesus!
    Let us lift His Name in praise!

Taste and see how good is Jesus; blessed are all who in Him hide.
None shall lack for any blessing who in Christ will e’er confide.
    Magnify the Name of Jesus!
    Let us lift His Name in praise!

T. M. Moore

Jesus is the Centerpiece of all Scripture, as He Himself explained (Jn. 5.39). But how can we learn to see Him there? How do the primary themes of Scripture revolve around Jesus? Our online course, Introduction to Biblical Theology, shows you how best to get at, get into, and get with the Word of God, so that you can grow more consistently in the Lord. It’s free, and you can study at your own pace. For more information or to register, click here.

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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing adapted from The Ailbe Psalter. All quotations from Church Fathers from Ancient Christian Commentary Series IV a and b: John, edited by Joel C. Elowsky, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006. Verse translation of John by T. M. Moore.

T.M. Moore

T. M. Moore is principal of The Fellowship of Ailbe, a spiritual fellowship in the Celtic Christian tradition. He and his wife, Susie, make their home in the Champlain Valley of Vermont.
Books by T. M. Moore

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