The Sunday Lectionary Readings for SUNDAY, March 22, 2020 — Fourth Sunday in Lent

Fourth Sunday in Lent
1 Samuel 16:1-13; Psalm 23; Ephesians 5:8-14; John 9:1-41

The Sunday Lectionary Readings

SUNDAY, March 22, 2020 — Fourth Sunday in Lent

(Revised Common Lectionary Year A)

God’s Vision is Broad and Vast

1 Samuel 16:1-13; Psalm 23; Ephesians 5:8-14; John 9:1-41

Opening Statement

When we see clearly, our lives are transformed. But seeing God clearly, recognizing Christ, and perceiving the anointing of God requires the work and light of the Holy Spirit. When we have the light of the Spirit, we see God and understand things more fully, we see others with the eyes of Christ. God does not value us for what we look like. God sees into our hearts and knows what we feel and believe. Anyone can be called by God to achieve greatness. And everyone is cared for by the Good Shepherd, who gives us all that we need. For we are all “children of light,” created by the One who is light, and in whom there is no darkness at all. Yet, we are also all blind and in need of healing so that we might be the sight of God, clear and undistorted by our sin, our hurts, our agendas, and our prejudices. The light of the world shines, and the darkness that is in the world has not overcome it—not in our individual lives, not in our collective lives, not in the history of the world as a whole. The light will not be extinguished. We must let it shine through us!

Opening Prayer
(adapted from Ephesians 5, John 9)

Gracious God, who created us in God’s own image, we are grateful for all that you have done for us, for all that you are doing in us, and for all that you will do through us. Open our eyes to see your presence among us, moving in powerful ways at all times and in all places. Open our ears to hear familiar words in new ways—ways that will change us and challenge us to become the people you created us to be. Grant us the power and the courage to come out of the darkness and into the light of Jesus Christ, that we may serve you by serving others. We love you with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. Amen.

The Collect
(from the Book of Common Prayers)

Gracious Father, whose blessed Son Jesus Christ came down from heaven to be the true bread which gives life to the world: Evermore give us this bread, that he may live in us, and we in him; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Prayer of Confession
(adapted from 1 Samuel 16, Ephesians 5, John 9)

Forgiving God, in a world filled with so much pain, we would rather shut our eyes and be blind than see things as they really are. Grant us the courage to face the reality of our world, and give us the strength to bring your light to those who walk in darkness. Help us see others as you see them, and forgive us when we do not trust you enough to open our eyes to the possibilities before us. Heal our self-inflicted blindness, O God, and lead us in the footsteps of the Light of the World, who reveals your glory in his life, his teachings, and his love. In his holy name, we pray. Amen.

Words of Assurance
(adapted from Psalm 23)

Christ came to lead us in paths of righteousness and to guide us through our lives. Christ is with us in times of danger and times of peace. The goodness and mercy of God are given to us each and every day of our lives. God forgives us for our failings, upholds us in love, and leads us to the place that Christ has prepared for us. Believe in your heart that God loves you and forgives you. We believe! God help our unbelief!

Prayer of the Day

Bend your ear to our prayers, Lord Christ, and come among us. By your gracious life and death for us, bring light into the darkness of our hearts, and anoint us with your Spirit, for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

First Reading

1 Samuel 16:1-13

David is chosen and anointed

16:1 The Lord said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and be on your way; I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king.”

2 But Samuel said, “How can I go? If Saul hears about it, he will kill me.”

The Lord said, “Take a heifer with you and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the Lord.’ 3 Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what to do. You are to anoint for me the one I indicate.”

4 Samuel did what the Lord said. When he arrived at Bethlehem, the elders of the town trembled when they met him. They asked, “Do you come in peace?”

5 Samuel replied, “Yes, in peace; I have come to sacrifice to the Lord. Consecrate yourselves and come to the sacrifice with me.” Then he consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice.

6 When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, “Surely the Lord’s anointed stands here before the Lord.”

7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

8 Then Jesse called Abinadab and had him pass in front of Samuel. But Samuel said, “The Lord has not chosen this one either.” 9 Jesse then had Shammah pass by, but Samuel said, “Nor has the Lord chosen this one.” 10 Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel said to him, “The Lord has not chosen these.” 11 So he asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?”

“There is still the youngest,” Jesse answered. “He is tending the sheep.”

Samuel said, “Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives.”

12 So he sent for him and had him brought in. He was glowing with health and had a fine appearance and handsome features.

Then the Lord said, “Rise and anoint him; this is the one.”

13 So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David. Samuel then went to Ramah.

Psalm 23

My head anointed with oil

1  The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
2    He makes me lie down in green pastures,
   he leads me beside quiet waters,
3    he refreshes my soul.
   He guides me along the right paths
     for his name’s sake.
4  Even though I walk
     through the darkest valley,
   I will fear no evil,
     for you are with me;
   your rod and your staff,
     they comfort me.

5  You prepare a table before me
     in the presence of my enemies.
   You anoint my head with oil;
     my cup overflows.
6  Surely your goodness and love will follow me
     all the days of my life,
   and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
     forever.

Second Reading

Ephesians 5:8-14

Live as children of light

5:8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) 10 and find out what pleases the Lord. 11 Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. 12 It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. 13 But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. 14 This is why it is said:

   “Wake up, sleeper,
     rise from the dead,
     and Christ will shine on you.”

Gospel Acclamation

(John 8:12)

Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

The Gospel

John 9:1-41

The man born blind

9:1 As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. 2 His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”

3 “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him. 4 As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. 5 While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”

6 After saying this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man’s eyes. 7 “Go,” he told him, “wash in the Pool of Siloam” (this word means “Sent”). So the man went and washed, and came home seeing.

8 His neighbors and those who had formerly seen him begging asked, “Isn’t this the same man who used to sit and beg?” 9 Some claimed that he was.

Others said, “No, he only looks like him.”

But he himself insisted, “I am the man.”

10 “How then were your eyes opened?” they asked.

11 He replied, “The man they call Jesus made some mud and put it on my eyes. He told me to go to Siloam and wash. So I went and washed, and then I could see.”

12 “Where is this man?” they asked him.

“I don’t know,” he said.

13 They brought to the Pharisees the man who had been blind. 14 Now the day on which Jesus had made the mud and opened the man’s eyes was a Sabbath. 15 Therefore the Pharisees also asked him how he had received his sight. “He put mud on my eyes,” the man replied, “and I washed, and now I see.”

16 Some of the Pharisees said, “This man is not from God, for he does not keep the Sabbath.”

But others asked, “How can a sinner perform such signs?” So they were divided.

17 Then they turned again to the blind man, “What have you to say about him? It was your eyes he opened.”

The man replied, “He is a prophet.”

18 They still did not believe that he had been blind and had received his sight until they sent for the man’s parents. 19 “Is this your son?” they asked. “Is this the one you say was born blind? How is it that now he can see?”

20 “We know he is our son,” the parents answered, “and we know he was born blind. 21 But how he can see now, or who opened his eyes, we don’t know. Ask him. He is of age; he will speak for himself.” 22 His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders, who already had decided that anyone who acknowledged that Jesus was the Messiah would be put out of the synagogue. 23 That was why his parents said, “He is of age; ask him.”

24 A second time they summoned the man who had been blind. “Give glory to God by telling the truth,” they said. “We know this man is a sinner.”

25 He replied, “Whether he is a sinner or not, I don’t know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!”

26 Then they asked him, “What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?”

27 He answered, “I have told you already and you did not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you want to become his disciples too?”

28 Then they hurled insults at him and said, “You are this fellow’s disciple! We are disciples of Moses! 29 We know that God spoke to Moses, but as for this fellow, we don’t even know where he comes from.”

30 The man answered, “Now that is remarkable! You don’t know where he comes from, yet he opened my eyes. 31 We know that God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the godly person who does his will. 32 Nobody has ever heard of opening the eyes of a man born blind. 33 If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.”

34 To this they replied, “You were steeped in sin at birth; how dare you lecture us!” And they threw him out.

35 Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, and when he found him, he said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?”

36 “Who is he, sir?” the man asked. “Tell me so that I may believe in him.”

37 Jesus said, “You have now seen him; in fact, he is the one speaking with you.”

38 Then the man said, “Lord, I believe,” and he worshiped him.

39 Jesus said, “For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind.”

40 Some Pharisees who were with him heard him say this and asked, “What? Are we blind too?”

41 Jesus said, “If you were blind, you would not be guilty of sin; but now that you claim you can see, your guilt remains.

Here end the Readings

Click HERE to read today’s Holy Gospel Lesson message

The Nicene Creed

We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father. Through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven; by the power of the Holy Spirit he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary, and was made man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified. He has spoken through the Prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.

Benediction
(adapted from Ephesians 5:9-14)

For once you were darkness, but now in the Lord you are light. Live as children of light! Seek that which is good and right and true, and try to live in a way that pleases God. Look to the light of God’s love shown to us in Jesus. Do not hide from it or ignore the struggles of the world but awaken to God’s call. Arise, O sleeper, and Christ will give you light!

Closing Prayer

Lord, thank you that we are a family in Christ. Help us to share his love and legacy with everyone that we encounter this week. May we lavish Christ’s abounding goodness upon our families, friends and colleagues. Holy Spirit, come and equip us in our workplace, guide us in our school life, and inspire us in our neighborhood. May we be your hands and feet to the needy, your words of affirmation to the oppressed and your arms of comfort to the lonely.

Thank you for choosing to use us to bring your kingdom here on earth. Amen.

Optional parts of the readings are set off in [square brackets.]

The Bible texts of the Old Testament, Epistle, and Gospel lessons are from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
The Daily Lectionary for SUNDAY, March 22, 2020 — Fourth Sunday in Lent
God’s Vision is Broad and Vast
1 Samuel 16:1-13; Psalm 23; Ephesians 5:8-14; John 9:1-41

If You Know Just One Thing

Our Gospel message comes to us today from the 9th chapter of John, beginning with the 1st verse, “The man born blind.”

As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him. As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” After saying this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man’s eyes. “Go,” he told him, “wash in the Pool of Siloam” (this word means “Sent”). So the man went and washed, and came home seeing. His neighbors and those who had formerly seen him begging asked, “Isn’t this the same man who used to sit and beg?” Some claimed that he was. Others said, “No, he only looks like him.” But he himself insisted, “I am the man.” “How then were your eyes opened?” they asked. He replied, “The man they call Jesus made some mud and put it on my eyes. He told me to go to Siloam and wash. So I went and washed, and then I could see.” “Where is this man?” they asked him. “I don’t know,” he said. They brought to the Pharisees the man who had been blind. Now the day on which Jesus had made the mud and opened the man’s eyes was a Sabbath. Therefore the Pharisees also asked him how he had received his sight. “He put mud on my eyes,” the man replied, “and I washed, and now I see.” Some of the Pharisees said, “This man is not from God, for he does not keep the Sabbath.” But others asked, “How can a sinner perform such signs?” So they were divided. Then they turned again to the blind man, “What have you to say about him? It was your eyes he opened.” The man replied, “He is a prophet.” They still did not believe that he had been blind and had received his sight until they sent for the man’s parents. “Is this your son?” they asked. “Is this the one you say was born blind? How is it that now he can see?” “We know he is our son,” the parents answered, “and we know he was born blind. But how he can see now, or who opened his eyes, we don’t know. Ask him. He is of age; he will speak for himself.” His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders, who already had decided that anyone who acknowledged that Jesus was the Messiah would be put out of the synagogue. That was why his parents said, “He is of age; ask him.” A second time they summoned the man who had been blind. “Give glory to God by telling the truth,” they said. “We know this man is a sinner.” He replied, “Whether he is a sinner or not, I don’t know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!” Then they asked him, “What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?” He answered, “I have told you already and you did not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you want to become his disciples too?” Then they hurled insults at him and said, “You are this fellow’s disciple! We are disciples of Moses! We know that God spoke to Moses, but as for this fellow, we don’t even know where he comes from.” The man answered, “Now that is remarkable! You don’t know where he comes from, yet he opened my eyes. We know that God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the godly person who does his will. Nobody has ever heard of opening the eyes of a man born blind. If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.” To this they replied, “You were steeped in sin at birth; how dare you lecture us!” And they threw him out. Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, and when he found him, he said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” “Who is he, sir?” the man asked. “Tell me so that I may believe in him.” Jesus said, “You have now seen him; in fact, he is the one speaking with you.” Then the man said, “Lord, I believe,” and he worshiped him. Jesus said, “For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind.” Some Pharisees who were with him heard him say this and asked, “What? Are we blind too?” Jesus said, “If you were blind, you would not be guilty of sin; but now that you claim you can see, your guilt remains. (John 9:1-41)

In the light of God, all is made clear. We see how much God loves us and how much God loves all people. We see Christ, the Light of the World, in Scripture and in our lives; and although we once were blind, now we see!

“If You Know Just One Thing”

The Gospel of John is a beautiful book. Its 21 chapters are organized a little differently than the others. He tends to group themes together in order to that the reader can see the theological connections between events, and places, and the teachings of Christ. I have to admit that for as much as I enjoy John, I had never spent much time with the passage (the whole of chapter 9) that we have today. And I don’t know why!

Obviously, something very important is going on here. Not that John divided up his Gospel into chapters when he wrote it (scholars did that much later). Still, there is something to be said for the fact that in a book of 21 chapters, which summarizes the life, teaching, death, and resurrection of Christ, a WHOLE chapter is devoted to this one event.

It is also just a delight to read. When you are aware of the constant struggle that Jesus had with the Pharisees in his earthly ministry and Jesus’ mission and purpose for coming into the world, this account really comes alive. And this account is also just full of life, and humor, challenge, all the while being very poignant. So I thought we might do something a little different today. Seeing as we have a lot of verses to cover, I think that we’ll just go over these verses and enjoy them together.

As we start our reading, understand that Jesus has just been confronted by the Pharisees (the spiritual leaders and law, if they did actually listen to the words, they would have understood that Jesus was the promised Messiah, the Son of God. This did not go over well as we read in the last verse of Chapter 8, “At this, they picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus hid himself, slipping away from the temple grounds.”

So we start in with our verses, “As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?’” This question gives us a lot of insight into the religious thinking of the day. It was a pretty basic premise. If you are good, then good things will happen to you. If you are bad, watch out. So if that is true, then the reverse must also be, right? If I see that something good happens to you, I can conclude that you are doing well with your faith and life. And if I see something bad happen to you, you must be hiding something or falling down in your faith in some major way.

This way of thinking isn’t exactly confined to Jesus’ day, is it? All the way back to the book of Job, we see how his friends are convinced he had done SOMETHING to deserve all the pain and misery heaped upon him. If you turn on your TV to a religious channel, you won’t have to look too hard to see some blowhard excitedly proclaiming that if you only give money to him, God will unleash a flood of cash upon you!

In some ways, it would be great if it were so simple! But you know, many of you better than me, it just doesn’t work that way. I think of so many people, faithful, God-fearing, forgiven and redeemed sinners, who have suffered so much—losing loved ones, facing unemployment, terrible diseases, even the coronavirus that’s going around today. These aren’t the direct result of some sin, but indeed the sinful and fallen condition of life in this world in which we live. There aren’t simple answers! The Teacher of Ecclesiastes knows this well, “The race is not to the swift or the battle to the strong, nor does food come to the wise or wealth to the brilliant or favor to the learned; but time and chance happen to them all” (Ecc. 9:11).

So Jesus does not entertain the question in the way the disciples would expect. “Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him. As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” Then Jesus immediately sets about displaying the work of The Light of the World in this man. “After saying this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man’s eyes. ‘Go,’ he told him, ‘wash in the Pool of Siloam’ (this word means “Sent”). So the man went and washed, and came home seeing.”

With simple means (spit, dirt, water from a pool), Jesus sent him away to wash and came back seeing! This is more than a medical miracle. This was a life transformation like we can’t imagine. Soon after he was born, this man’s parents (whom we will meet in just a bit) would have been so heartbroken to learn that their son would be disabled. There were no therapists, or seeing-eye dog programs, or government programs available to help him. He would be destined to be a beggar, to seek out a subsistence living for the remainder of his life. On top of all this, instead of first being compassionate, people would question what he or his parents had done to deserve this terrible fate. Can you imagine!

The next section made me laugh when I picture it being played out. “His neighbors and those who had formerly seen him begging asked, “Isn’t this the same man who used to sit and beg?” Some claimed that he was. Others said, “No, he only looks like him.” But he himself insisted, “I am the man.”

Can’t you see it! People arguing back and forth. “This is HIM!” “No way, it couldn’t be!” the whole time he is standing, they saying, “HEY, I’m right HERE, it’s me, I promise!” They ask him how it could be, and he just says what happened: “The man they call Jesus made some mud and put it on my eyes. He told me to go to Siloam and wash. So I went and washed, and then I could see.” ‘Where is this man?’ they asked him. ‘I don’t know’ he said.”

Well, this obviously wasn’t a good enough answer for them, so they call in the “big guns.”

“They brought to the Pharisees the man who had been blind. Now the day on which Jesus had made the mud and opened the man’s eyes was a Sabbath. Therefore the Pharisees also asked him how he had received his sight. “He put mud on my eyes,” the man replied, “and I washed, and now I see.” Some of the Pharisees said, “This man is not from God, for he does not keep the Sabbath.” But others asked, “How can a sinner perform such signs?” So they were divided. Then they turned again to the blind man, “What have you to say about him? It was your eyes he opened.” The man replied, “He is a prophet.”

And here we begin to see one of the main points of this account. For as blind as this guy was who born not able to see, we begin to see how much worse it is to be spiritually blinded. And this is precisely how we are to see these Pharisees. What is their primary concern upon hearing that this guy was miraculously healed? Not “wow, that is so wonderful!” or “tell me what it’s like to see for the first time!” Or, “please tell me more about this man who did this!” No, for many of them, their main concern is, “you mean to tell me this guy did this on the SABBATH DAY when no one is supposed to WORK! How dare he!” First off, Jesus wouldn’t break the Commandment, what he did violate were the rules about the Sabbath that the PHARISEES had made, not the laws God made. Secondly, aren’t we missing the point just a bit here?

So finally they ask the man what he thinks. And quite plainly, the man, not knowing completely yet who Jesus is, acknowledges at least that he must be from God! Again, such plain truth will not be tolerated. So the Pharisees work another angle. Let’s talk to his parents! This was tricky as John tells us, “His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders, who already had decided that anyone who acknowledged that Jesus was the Messiah would be put out of the synagogue.” Understand that this didn’t just mean they weren’t allowed in the building or the worship service, but that their society would shun them. Terrifying thought! So they only relate the facts, “We know this is our son and that he was born blind. But how he now sees we do not know, nor do we know who opened his eyes. Ask him; he is of age. He will speak for himself.”

When are these Pharisees going to get the point? Just leave it alone, or better yet, be happy for the guy and try to find out more about this Jesus guy. But Jesus threatens their assumptions, and their notions about themselves and their self-righteousness, and self-made rules, and their status in society. Jesus tends to do this to all of us, you know! But these Pharisees are so blinded by all that they have made, and found comfort in, that even the simple truth won’t convince them.

And in the subsequent interaction (which made me laugh for the second time), we see the pure folly of refusing to see the truth. They call this formerly blind man in AGAIN. And they lean into him pretty hard with a leading statement, “Give glory to God by telling the truth. We know this man is a sinner.” Thinking with their status, they once again focus on getting this man to condemn Jesus (this is their primary concern; once again, the healing isn’t even on their minds!).

This poor man, for all that he lacks, and all the knowledge he doesn’t have, is armed with the truth. And with this truth, he once again utterly disappoints his inquisitors, “He answered, “Whether he is a sinner or not, I don’t know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!” You might not be concerned with my healing, but I sure am! Try arguing with my eyes! The frustration on behalf of the Pharisees begins to rise: “They said to him, “What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?”

They have no idea what they are getting into. This quiet, lowly, beggar, is silent no more! “He answered them, ‘I have told you already and you did not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you want to become his disciples too?’” Was he being serious or poking and prodding them, either way, Oh, boy, here we go! “Then they hurled insults at him and said, ‘You are this fellow’s disciple! We are disciples of Moses! We know that God spoke to Moses, but as for this fellow, we don’t even know where he comes from.’” They actually think calling this guy a follower of Christ is an insult when it’s the nicest thing they could ever say of the man. They also show how ignorant they are of what Moses actually preached, taught, and proclaimed—that the Messiah was coming!

The Pharisees, in their ignorance, say, “WE KNOW.” And this man, in all his supposed ignorance, calls them to the carpet: “The man answered, ‘Now that is remarkable! You don’t know where he comes from, yet he opened my eyes. We know that God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the godly person who does his will. Nobody has ever heard of opening the eyes of a man born blind. If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.’”

Having nothing to answer back, the Pharisees take us all the way back to the beginning of the story. They attack this man as having suffered because he was sinful. “You were steeped in sin at birth; how dare you lecture us!” And they threw him out.

Think about this. The religious leaders throw this man out. This man who had nothing. Who had just experienced a miracle. They throw him out because he won’t play their game. After all, he won’t just shut up and go along, because he won’t sacrifice what he knows to be true in order to keep up their illusion of righteousness. And here we get to see such a drastic contrast. Where the Pharisees throw this guy out, the Savior seeks him out.

Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, and when he found him, he said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” “Who is he, sir?” the man asked. “Tell me so that I may believe in him.” Jesus said, “You have now seen him; in fact, he is the one speaking with you.” Then the man said, “Lord, I believe,” and he worshiped him. Jesus said, “For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind.”

Jesus proclaims the truth of who he is with the same lips that healed this man. And this man who had nothing finds that this Jesus has come to give him more than physical sight. He has come to remove the blinders in his soul to all that God offers him. All that is truly good and eternal and perfect and holy. And this man sees this truth and does the only appropriate thing. He worships his God.

The Pharisees reject this call, preferring the comfort of their blinders, the false security of their man-made laws, their status, and vast knowledge of the Scriptures (even while being ignorant of their main point). Some of the Pharisees near him heard these things, and said to him, “What? Are we blind too?” Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you would not be guilty of sin; but now that you claim you can see, your guilt remains.”

So much we could talk about. But there are a couple of points we need to take with us today. First off, let’s understand who is truly blessed in this story. It isn’t the people who are so self-reliant and self-sufficient and self-righteous. The one who is blessed is the one who has no hope on his own, the beggar who in no way can earn anything for himself, the one who has to rely entirely upon the mercy of God—not only to see him, to recognize him but to heal him.

This is our case, as well. We suffer something worse than some kind of physical ailment. The Apostle Paul accurately describes our condition as one of darkness, of being “Dead in our trespasses and sins.” Dead, nothing to offer, incapable of making any kind of move toward God, or even accepting his mercy and grace. And yet, he saw us, and on the cross, he healed us of our sin, he took what was utterly broken in us, and made us whole by taking our sins from us and paying for them in whole.

What we are left with is a simple truth. A beautiful truth of forgiveness and new life in Christ’s death and resurrection. And for all that, the world around us claims to know. We claim to know one thing and one thing only. As Paul wrote to the Church in Corinth (1 Corinthians 2:1-2) “When I came to you, I did not come with eloquence or human wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.”

Or, as the beggar said,

“One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!”

Let us pray: Lord of life, we surely are a stubborn people. We wail and whine about the darkness that seems to claim our lives, yet we persist in creating that darkness to cover our mistakes and our misdeeds. You are merciful and will pardon and heal us. But we are afraid because we cannot forgive ourselves for our own transgressions. Help us let go of the need to continually hide and punish ourselves. Free us from the angry spirit that dwells so deeply in us and in our land. Give us courage and confidence to be people of love, hope and peace; for we ask this in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

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Scripture is taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. Sermon contributed by Rev. Matt Hoffmann.
In a world where so many people know so much, its good to be reminded of what is most important to know. This is summarized in John 9 by the words of the beggar who was healed:  “One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see.”

The Daily Prayer for SUNDAY, March 22, 2020

The Daily Prayer

SUNDAY, March 22, 2020

Benedict of Nursia, sixth-century father of communal monasticism, wrote, “How much more important it is to refrain from evil speech, remembering what such sins bring down on us in punishment. In fact so important is it to cultivate silence. After all, it is written in scripture that one who never stops talking cannot avoid falling into sin. Another text in the same book reminds us that the tongue holds the key to death and life.”

Lord, may our prayers be found in our actions today as much as they are found in these words. Amen.

Verse of the Day SUNDAY, March 22, 2020

Ephesians 6:10-11

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.

Read all of Ephesians 6

Listen to Ephesians 6

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Un dia a la Vez - Domingo 22 de marzo de 2020

No menosprecies tu llamado

Porque hemos buscado a Jehová nuestro Dios; le hemos buscado, y él nos ha dado paz por todas partes. Edificaron, pues, y fueron prosperados.

— 2 Crónicas 14:7, RV-60

Muchos somos los que dedicamos nuestra vida a tiempo completo en el servicio a Dios. Hay quienes lo hacen en un medio de comunicación, una escuela o una iglesia. Otros lo realizan como pastores, líderes, cantantes, etc. Incluso, hay quienes son farolitos alumbrando el amor de Dios. Por mencionarte algunos casos, veamos algunas personas muy reconocidas y queridas por todos nosotros:

• Fernando Arau, un tremendo humorista en «Despierta América», de la cadena Univisión, y líder junto con su esposa de un grupo de apoyo a matrimonios.
• Yuri, presentadora de «Noche de Estrellas» por Univisión. Además, dedica su vida en el apoyo a su esposo, Rodrigo Espinosa, pastor de una iglesia de más de trescientos miembros en el Distrito Federal.
• Nuestro presidente del Grupo Génesis, el pastor Edwin Lemuel Ortiz, dueño de las estaciones La Nueva 88.3 y La Nueva 90.9, en Miami. Por más de quince años, la hermosa voz principal de la cadena Univisión.
• Nuestro Ernesto Suazo no solo es pastor y presentador por varios años del programa de «La Nueva» El Top 20, sino que también es una de las voces destacadas de la cadena Telemundo.

Y así te podría nombrar a miles de personas que Dios coloca como faros en diferentes lugares. Allí, de una manera única, llevan la Palabra de Dios a personas que nosotros nunca podríamos alcanzar. No menosprecies tu llamado, ni menosprecies el llamado de los demás.

Un Día a la Vez Copyright © by Claudia Pinzón
Muchos somos los que dedicamos nuestra vida a tiempo completo en el servicio a Dios.

Standing Strong Through the Storm - Sunday, March 22, 2020

PEACE THAT OVERCOMES FEAR

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

— John 14:27 (NIV)

Yesterday we shared the first part of the life story of Maulana the Islamic terrorist persecutor from Indonesia. Here is part two of his dramatic conversion story:

Our focused activity on Ambon was how to close churches. From the persecution, the Christian people did not fight back. When I see children with no parents running around the church, I feel guilty.

As time passes, my heart becomes softer, and then love enters my heart. There’s a change in my heart that I become sensitive and start to love them slowly. The love becomes thick. One night, I was fasting and praying, I said, “God, you’re the one who creates my heart, show me your righteousness.” In the middle of my heart-crying, I saw a man appear to me. There was fresh blood spattered on the bottom of his white robe, He greeted me with “Salaam Al I Kum,” (Peace be with you!) I tried to figure out who I had seen in my vision. It could be the angel of Gabriel, or Mohammed, or could be Nabi Isa, maybe He is Jesus.

To earn income, I became a distributor of an Islamic magazine in Solo and then went to a small town called Desa Mangu. One day I was distributing magazines, and an old man called to me. He said, “Maulana, come here. I was waiting for you.” It was Friday at lunchtime. He asked me to eat rice and noodle sarimi together with him. Then he prayed in the name of Jesus before eating. I was shocked!

After lunch, he brought me to a room, and he picked up a large Bible and opened it to John 14:27. It said, “I am leaving you with a gift, peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” The mystery of the voice is Isa (Jesus). I confess that Jesus is God! Jesus is great! And I cry, and I received Him, Isa, as the people of Ambon whom I’ve persecuted.

Now that I believe Jesus is Savior, there is a miracle that happens in my life. What I received from God is an assignment, instead of regrets. My first Christmas morning as a Christian, I was walking with courage and joy on my way to church. But all of a sudden there’s a group of young people standing in front of me. One of them knew me and asked, “Where are you going?”

I said, “To church.” They said, “Stop! You’re not going there!” Then punches from all directions come to my body. When I was there in the hospital, I prayed like Stephen prayed. “God, forgive them for they know not what they were doing.” Spiritual strength from within!

That is powerful and gives me the strength to be brave and give testimony. I deliver to the people that this government is under His authority. God’s authority works in every believer so that we have the freedom to speak. The authority is from the Lord. God’s authority is in every believer, so you don’t need to be afraid.

RESPONSE: Today I will submit to the peace Jesus gives that overcomes troubles and fear.

PRAYER: Pray that many more terrorists will have an encounter with Jesus and become His follower.

Standing Strong Through The Storm (SSTS), a daily devotional message by SSTS author Paul Estabrooks. © 2011 Open Doors International. Used by permission.

LHM Daily Devotions - March 22, 2020 - OCCUPIED TERRITORY

"OCCUPIED TERRITORY"

March 22, 2020

(Jesus said) "Finally he sent his son to them, saying, 'They will respect my son.' But when the tenants saw the son, they said to themselves, 'This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and have his inheritance.' And they took him and threw him out of the vineyard and killed him."

— Matthew 21:37-39, ESV

The story of the wicked tenants is a strange one. A man plants a vineyard, rents it out, and goes away to a far country. When the harvest comes, he sends servants to collect his share of the fruit. The tenants refuse. Instead, they beat the servants, kill some, and throw them out of the vineyard. After several episodes like this, the landowner sends his son. Exactly the same thing happens—as anybody could predict.

This story bothers me. "Why are you bothering?" I want to ask of the vineyard owner. "It's just a vineyard. Human lives are worth more than a vineyard. Your son is worth more than a vineyard. Just give it up."

If this was just any ordinary vineyard, perhaps the owner would give it up. But it's not. This is God's vineyard, which He dug out, planted, fenced, and built a winepress for. This is Jesus' inheritance as the Son of God. In short, this is God's world, and we are the vines in it. He isn't going to give us up.

And yet we are occupied territory. So many of those who rule over us have no fear of God and no desire to give Him what belongs to Him. This includes everyone from bullying bosses and abusive parents to corrupt politicians and world leaders. And neither they nor the devil himself who influences them are willing to surrender what they hold.

Into this occupied territory comes Jesus, the Son of God. He comes to set us free—even if it costs Him His own life. He is not stupid. He knows what will happen to Him. And yet He goes through with it, knowing that His death will turn the world right-side-up, and His resurrection will set us all free.

Are you suffering under the power of someone who refuses to listen to God? Take courage, because God has not forgotten you. He has already sent His Son to rescue you. And He will finish the job—soon now, very soon!—when Jesus comes again, to take up His rule over all the universe. We are waiting for that day.

THE PRAYER: Lord, look on us when we suffer under the power of evil, and set us free. Amen.

Reflection Questions:

1. Has anyone ever taken away from you something that was rightfully yours?
2. When were you under the power of someone who did not follow God?
3. Take a moment to pray for those who suffer under the power of evildoers.

Lenten Devotions were written by Dr. Kari Vo. Use these devotions in your newsletter and bulletin! Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM).
Has anyone ever taken away from you something that was rightfully yours?

Devocional CPTLN del 22 de marzo de 2020 - Territorio ocupado

ALIMENTO DIARIO

Territorio ocupado

22 de Marzo de 2020

Finalmente, les envió a su hijo, pues decía: "A mi hijo lo respetarán." Pero cuando los labradores vieron al hijo, dijeron entre sí: "Éste es el heredero. Vamos a matarlo, y así nos quedaremos con su herencia." Entonces, lo sacaron de la viña y lo mataron.

— Mateo 21:37-39, RVC

La historia de los inquilinos malvados es extraña. Un hombre planta un viñedo, lo alquila y se va a un país lejano. Cuando llega la cosecha, envía sirvientes para recoger su parte de la cosecha. Los inquilinos se niegan, golpean a los sirvientes, matan a algunos y los arrojan fuera de la viña. Después de varios episodios como este, el propietario envía a su hijo y sucede exactamente lo mismo.

Esta historia me molesta. ¿Por qué? Porque solo se trata de un viñedo, y las vidas humanas valen más que un viñedo. Un hijo vale más que una viña.

Si se tratara de un viñedo cualquiera, tal vez el propietario lo abandonaría. Pero es la viña de Dios, que cultivó, cercó, y le construyó un lagar. Esta es la herencia de Jesús como el Hijo de Dios. Es el mundo de Dios en el cual nosotros somos las vides. Él no nos va a abandonar.

Sin embargo, somos territorio ocupado. Muchos de los que nos gobiernan no temen a Dios ni desean darle lo que le pertenece. Esto incluye a todos, desde jefes intimidatorios y padres abusivos, hasta políticos y líderes mundiales corruptos. Y ni ellos, ni el mismo diablo que los influencia, están dispuestos a entregar lo que tienen.

Es en este territorio ocupado donde entra Jesús, el Hijo de Dios. Él viene a liberarnos, aunque le cuesta la vida. Él sabe lo que le va a suceder; sin embargo, sigue adelante, sabiendo que su muerte pondrá al mundo al revés y su resurrección nos liberará a todos.

¿Estás sufriendo bajo el poder de alguien que se niega a escuchar a Dios? Anímate, porque Dios no te ha olvidado. Él ya ha enviado a su Hijo para rescatarte y terminará el trabajo pronto, muy, muy pronto, cuando Jesús venga nuevamente para asumir su dominio sobre todo el universo. Esperamos ese día.

ORACIÓN: Señor, libéranos del poder del mal. Amén.

Dra. Kari Vo

Para reflexionar:

1. ¿Cuándo estuviste bajo el poder de alguien que no seguía a Dios?
2. Ora por quienes sufren bajo el poder de los malhechores.

© Copyright 2020 Cristo Para Todas Las Naciones. Que a través de estos devocionales, la Palabra de Dios te refresque en tu diario caminar.
¿Cuándo estuviste bajo el poder de alguien que no seguía a Dios?

Unser Täglich Brot - Das Bild der Verzweiflung

Das Bild der Verzweiflung

Lesung: Psalm 107,4-9 | Die Bibel in einem Jahr: Josua 10-12; Lukas 1,39-56

MP3 herunterladen

Da schrien sie zum Herrn in ihrer Not und er rettete sie aus ihrer Verzweiflung.

— Psalm 107,6

Während der Weltwirtschaftskrise nahm die berühmte Fotografin Dorothea Lange ein Bild von Florence Owens Thompson und ihren Kindern auf. Dieses bekannte Foto, Migrant Mother, ist das Bild der Verzweiflung einer Mutter in den Nachwirkungen einer verdorbenen Ernte. Dorothea Lange hoffte, die Behörden auf die Not der verzweifelten Erntehelfer aufmerksam zu machen.

Das Buch der Klagelieder zeigt uns ein weiteres Bild der Verzweiflung, nämlich das von Juda nach der Zerstörung Jerusalems. Ehe das Heer von Nebukadnezar in die Stadt einfiel, um sie zu zerstören, litten die Menschen aufgrund einer Belagerung an Hunger (2. Könige 24,10-11). Auch wenn diese Turbulenzen das Ergebnis jahrelangen Ungehorsams Gott gegenüber waren, schreit der Autor der Klagelieder im Namen seines Volkes zu Gott (Klagelieder 2,11-12).

Während der Autor von Psalm 107 auch eine verzweifelte Zeit in Israels Geschichte beschreibt (während Israels Wüstenwanderung, V. 4-5), verschiebt sich der Schwerpunkt, indem etwas unternommen wird: „Da schrien sie zum Herrn in ihrer Not“ (V. 6). Und wir sehen ein wunderbares Ergebnis: „Und er rettete sie aus ihrer Verzweiflung.“

Verzweifelt? Bleib nicht still. Schrei zu Gott. Er hört und wartet darauf, dir wieder Hoffnung zu schenken. Auch wenn er uns nicht immer aus schwierigen Situationen herausholt, verspricht er, dass er immer bei uns sein wird.

Wann hast du Gottes Hilfe in einer schweren Situation erlebt? Wie kannst du diese Woche jemanden ermutigen, der in einer Krise steckt?

Himmlischer Vater, ich bin so dankbar für deine tröstende Gegenwart.

Von Linda Washington

© 2020 Unser Täglich Brot
Dieses bekannte Foto, Migrant Mother, ist das Bild der Verzweiflung einer Mutter in den Nachwirkungen einer verdorbenen Ernte.