“Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.” (John 4:23)
Read the ninth chapter of John to find such a worshiper. This is a story of grace… the story of all true worshipers. Though he was a familiar face, he was a nobody. Every day this blind man sat and begged as people occasionally theorized about the type of horrible sin that must have brought about his condition. But one day, Someone he didn’t know, put mud on his eyes and told him to go wash in a pool. When he did, he could see!
The ensuing trouble must have confused this man with new sight, but having never had much, being kicked out of the synagogue might not have been too painful. Over and over he told his story and over and over he was told his Healer had broken God’s rules. But no argument could overcome the truth. “He has to be good! I tell you, I’ve been blind all my life, but now I see! I say He’s from God!” For such a belief, he was ousted.
Upon hearing what happened to the poor man, Jesus searched him out to give a gift greater than sight. He gave Himself! “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 talking with you.’ Then the man said, ‘Lord, I believe,’ and worshiped him.”
Notice Jesus did not say, “Do you want to say thanks to the One who healed you?” Jesus was revealing a grander picture. “Do you want to see the One everyone is longing to see?” When the man believed in the Son of Man, he worshiped.
One day everyone will see the Son of Man, and all will bow confessing Him King. But what about today? I thank him for my health, but that does not make Him King. He deserves my worship whether I stay free of cancer or not. This week, my dear friend fights for his life in ICU. Is Jesus still King? My friend, a true worshiper, would say, “He can give or take away… blessed be the Name of the Lord.” Will I?
Lord Jesus, may we be the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.
Joe McReynolds and his family would appreciate prayer at this time. Joe has been in the hospital with heart difficulty. After numerous tests and various theories, doctors think a virus has impacted his heart. He also has battled pneumonia. Please pray for Joe. In the same week, Matt McReynolds, one of Joe and Sybil’s sons, had major eye surgery for a torn retina. Please pray for swift healing to take place. Thank you!