Today's Passage - John 9:13-25

River of Life Christian Church ︳www.rolcc.net/english John 9: 13-25   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." A second time they summoned the man who had been blind.  "Give glory to God," they said "We know this man is a sinner."  He replied, "Whether this man is a sinner or not, I don't know.  One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!"   In this passage, the Pharisees had asked this blind man a lot of questions. They were trying to find a way to make Jesus submit into their own principle. But every time, the answers they received were, "I don't know." "How were you able to see." "I don't know." "Where is this man from." "I don't know." "Is he sent from God."   "I don't know." "Whether this man is a sinner or not, I don't know.  One thing I do know  I was blind but now I see!"  Hallelujah!   To the Pharisees experience, doctrines, traditions and laws are important. They wanted to place God within their own rules which they can understand and accept.  Yet, Jesus came with genuine love and mercy that touched all who are in need.  Brothers and sisters, if you do not understand the heart and mercy of our Lord, you would never know the work of God in the Bible nor would you know how the spirit of God works in His disciples.   In reality, not only did the Pharisees exist in the time of Jesus, they are also present in the churches today, and, perhaps, even in our hearts.  Whenever we try to limit the work of God because of our own experience, we have fallen into the situation like the Pharisees.  Many have put restrains on God's work with so call "being spiritual", or "following the traditions", and even quoted His own words limiting God's work as a result.  But in fact, God's spirit works freely in our hearts so that His name be glorified.   Let us learn to open up ourselves, forsake the spirit of the Pharisees, so that we may welcome the new work of the Holy Spirit; taking away the old and everything becomes new again!                                  Pray with Pastor Tong           Dear Lord, we praise you for you are God who does new work. We welcome your presence in our lives to perform this new work so that your desires and goodness will be fulfilled.  With thanks we pray in the victorious name of Jesus, Amen!