Pastor Bob DuPar
May 17, 2008

Journal Entry


Scripture

1 Samuel 20:1-21:15; John 9:1-41; Psalm 113:1-114:8; Proverbs 15:15-17.

Observation

It sounds like Saul was not only a madman but also a very poor aim. This is the third time he has hurled a spear at someone (this time his own son) and missed. 1 Samuel 20:34 says that Jonathan was filled with “fierce anger” and was “grieved at his father’s shameful treatment of David.” I can’t imagine how disillusioned Jonathan felt having his father now trying to kill him as well. Saul’s rage was certainly out of control.

I love the blind man’s sarcasm with the Pharisees in John 9. The Pharisees have asked the blind man a hundred questions trying to find fault with Jesus, and the blind man has lost his patience. He responds to the Pharisees in 9:27, “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?”

Later in 9:30-33, the man says, “Now that is remarkable! You don’t know where He comes from, yet He opened my eyes. …Nobody has ever heard of opening the eyes of a man born blind. If this Man were not from God, He could do nothing.”

The Pharisees respond, “How dare you lecture us!” (9:34) And, they threw the blind man out. How wonderful that Jesus seeks the man out when He hears how he has been treated.

Finally, I liked Proverbs 15:15b: “The cheerful heart has a continual feast.”

Application

The Pharisees are representative of so many people who want to discredit Jesus and His miraculous works. Why? If Jesus does what only God can do, then why do people refuse to believe that He is God? Saving faith requires leaving our preconceptions and pride at the door, and accepting Jesus for who He claimed and proved to be.

Prayer

“God, thank You for seeking us out when we are discarded by the world. Thank You for healing us and making us whole.”