Day 2152 The Gospel of John 20 Blind Mens Bluff Daily Wisdom

Published: June 22, 2023, 7 a.m.

b'Welcome to Day 2152 of Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom The Gospel of John \\u2013 20 \\u2013 Blind Men\'s Bluff \\u2013 Daily Wisdom Putnam Church Message \\u2013 06/19/2022 The Gospel of John \\u2013 Part 3 Authentication Of The Word \\u2013 Blind Men\\u2019s Bluff \\xa0 Today we continue our series, the Good News according to John the Apostle. Last week, we saw Jesus declaring, \\u201cI am\\xa0the light of the world.\\xa0Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.\\u201d In addition, we learned when we follow that light, we can live in spiritual freedom \\xa032\\xa0Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.\\u201d \\xa036\\xa0So if the Son sets you free,\\xa0you will be free indeed. Today, our scripture is John 9:1-41, starting on page 1664 in the pew Bible. As with last week, since it is a more extended passage, I will read it as we go through the message. The setting for today\\u2019s teaching is sometime after the Feast of Tabernacles, but before the Feast of the Dedication (Hanukkah; see\\xa0John 10:22). Somewhere in the old city of Jerusalem, Jesus and His disciples happened upon a man who was born without sight. As the story unfolds, we learn that their \\u201cchance\\u201d meeting had been scheduled since the beginning of time, and the man\\u2019s \\u201cmeaningless\\u201d affliction had been given divine purpose from the foundation of creation. \\xa0 \\u20149:1\\u2014 As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth.\\xa0 John provides very little detail about the time and place of this encounter because it is a logical continuation of Jesus\\u2019 escalating clash with the religious elite in Jerusalem. However, we know it occurred after the Feast of Tabernacles (September/October) and before Hanukkah (November/December), somewhere near Jerusalem, outside the temple complex. \\xa0 John presents the episode as\\xa0spontaneous because Jesus did not have a meeting in His appointment calendar. The apostle gives the impression that the encounter was a mere coincidence, but make no mistake, the air of randomness is intentional. John allows us to accept the incident as haphazard, only to reveal the truth. Whereas sin has stirred the world into a chaotic mess,/ the Creator interjects order. Where the sinful world system randomly and capriciously causes affliction,/ the Lord gives purpose to misfortune\\u2014for His glory\\xa0and\\xa0the good of those who believe. Some things never change. \\xa0 \\u20149:2\\u20134\\u2014 2\\xa0His disciples asked him, \\u201cRabbi,\\xa0who sinned,\\xa0this man\\xa0or his parents,\\xa0that he was born blind?\\u201d 3\\xa0\\u201cNeither this man nor his parents sinned,\\u201d\\xa0said Jesus,\\xa0\\u201cbut this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.\\xa04\\xa0As long as it is day,\\xa0we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. (Theme song Work for the Night is Coming) In those days, it was a custom for people with disabilities to claim spots along a well-traveled street leading to the temple\\u2014and this is still a common sight near religious sites...'