Are We Blind?

In reading the first verses of John 10 we can find a world of instruction. Jesus was explaining to those around Him that there were those who were missing the picture. A miracle was happening before their eyes, in that One from the other side had come to us to teach and restore us unto God, but some were not able nor willing to accept Him for who and what He was. He used the experience of the blind man whom He had healed,  to show that He was there to help blind men to see. In contrast there were others who thought they could see but were actually blind. (John 9:39-41)

Jesus always spoke with words like a double-edged sword. This means that as he spoke of common things there was always a deeper spiritual meaning hidden like a precious stone inside and behind the simple and accepted meaning. Likewise, as should be worthy of the words of the Godhead, that the true intent and value lies in the spiritual and not only in the material and physical world we live in.in. Therefore His words are always packed full of strong spiritual content and on a higher level.

For example, our Lord speaks of sheep and a fold, however we know that He is speaking directly of those tender souls who seek Him and follow Him unconditionally.

Unfortunately mankind has ever been bent on bringing down the higher spiritual meanings and changing them into simple human concepts and interpretations. Jesus never stopped talking about the error of our ways and tried to show in word and deed that there was another way to be. It is altogether possible and God´s true intended purpose for us to actually adjust ourselves so honestly with God, that we live each and every moment lifting up our entire selves and everything we do and think unto God.

Whoever and whatever falls short of this kind of purpose and changes things to suit ourselves or please ourselves creates a blind which covers the eyes of our hearts and our understanding.

Therefore when we read Jesus´ teachings we should always attempt to digest each of His instructions as if it were said directly to us with the intention so save you and I personally from an erroneous and fatal trap of the adversary.

This brings us to John chapter 10. Most truly I say to you, he that does not enter the sheepfold through the door but climbs up some other place, that one is a thief and a plunderer.

On casual observance one may miss Christ´s warning here or confuse it to mean something of lesser importance or irrelevance. It is common for us humans to defend ourselves and count ourselves free of blame. We try to convince ourselves or perhaps deceive ourselves that Jesus talks of the blame of someone else. Remember though, that Jesus was God made man, and steel ourselves from the temptation of reducing His words to lesser meanings and more insignificant interpretations. If you truly love Jesus or your own soul, it is far more productive and healthy to gleam whatever saving and  humbling instruction we can from every word He uttered.

Then let us try to examine the text as if Christ was directing this instruction directly to you and I. Placed over and against what we read before in chapter 9, it seems that Jesus speaks not merely about the errors of the Pharisees and Jews who failed to see who He was and not accept His teachings. Rather we find Jesus cutting right through unto you and I with His gentle way of showing us our need to look away from ourselves, our simple and commonly accepted meanings, and search to lift every thought and every belief into actual communion with God. Direct all unto Him, not ourselves, to bring Him glory, honour as if in doing so we are actually offering it up as a burnt offering like in the days of old.

If we fail to arrive at such a connection, of such a vital communication of our soul with our God, then we attempt to climb into the fold of Jesus by another way.

It is true that there are many who care little of Jesus´ words and would try to assure life unending by whatever short cut they can find. But we need not concern ourselves with anyone else. Our first priority is unto God and His investment in our souls.

We should give all importance to Jesus´ words and let them do as much healing as possible. They can only strengthen our relationship with Him and draw us closer. Had we the honesty to renew our own efforts to purify our intentions, to lift God higher, to obey Him fuller, we shall step into a fuller light and a fuller life. We would take away and assure that no blame could fall our way to being as a thief or a robber.

No my friend, our goal is not first to get ourselves into heaven as is commonly sold to us through current religious trends. Our first and foremost goal can and will be, to obey our God, to seek and work hard to please Him in every way. Our joy and our reward is never in seeking our own pleasure or glory. In fact it pains us to think of taking anything before first honoring and uplifting our God.

This is the attitude which pleases our Lord and when He speaks of selfish people trying to climb in by another door, He clearly says that those are the ones who care not of Him or His words. A true lamb of Jesus, is accustomed to hearing Jesus´s voice. He or she is an individual who, is so close and so familiar with this intelligent and caring individual. They have spent much time together, it is a relationship with correct adjustment one to the other.  There is feeling and sentiment.  It is a relationship which has been proven and developed over time and much interest on both parts.

I sure hope that those who would claim to follow the Lord today, would carefully consider their intentions. I pray that we each search our hearts and take the case before the Lord often in honest humility and dire urgency. I wish, that each of us could say in all honesty that this still, soft voice of our savior is a sweet and familiar sound in our heart and soul.

Unfortunately though Jesus explains in verse 5 that there are and will be those who do not recognize His voice and therefore cannot follow Him. They will run from Christs encouragement and ours as well. Oh, how wonderful it would be to hear Jesus Himself tell us that it is not so with you and I.  He has promised to reassure us but we will have to not settle for our own estimate.  Rather we must seek to hear it from no other voice but His.

Let´s all go in quiet to the Lord with the our hearts in our hands. Let us lift it up with all of ourselves included in the transaction. Let us sacrifice all our ambition, comforts and our affections on everything around us, in the effort to hear that sweet voice.

Our soul will soar when His reply does come. When we recognize that voice as one so familiar, there will be no other sound we can desire more. We will be His sheep and He will be our all.

Glory be to God, who has blazed a way for these lost sheep, to return to His fold and be restored once again to our intended place of loving and bringing glory unto Him. Let us not rest until His will is done and all His sheep are gathered in.

Amen.

Scott W