D. D. Lewis

Prayer based on John 9:24-41

This obedient blind beggar continues to grow in faith through opposition and receives salvation.

Father, we praise You for You lead and sustain Your children through opposition and bring them to salvation. (John 6:44)

The Pharisees call the man who was blind back in, and they try to intimidate him. They tell him they know Jesus is a sinner and command him to give glory to God. The man who was blind responded humbly. He said I do not know if Jesus is a sinner, but I do know that I was blind, and now I see. The Pharisees begin to interrogate him again. Faith continues to rise in the man who was blind. He tells the Pharisees they have already heard and would not listen, so why do they want to hear his testimony again? He then boldly asks them if they desire to become disciples of Jesus. (Verse 27) The Pharisees revile him and proudly proclaim they are disciples of Moses and then degrade Jesus and His disciples. "We know that God has spoken to Moses, but as for this man, we do not know where he comes from." (Verses 28-29) The man who was blind dares to teach the Pharisees using powerful arguments. (Verses 30-33) The Pharisees are enraged. They call the man an unqualified sinner, unfit to instruct them, and they cast him out of the synagogue. (Verse 34) When Jesus heard they cast him out, He set out to find him. When He did, He asked the man if he believed in the Son of Man. The man humbly asked Jesus: who is the Son of Man so I may believe in Him? Jesus tells him He is the One. The man confesses his belief and worships Jesus. (Verses 35-38) Jesus has come to give sight and righteousness to His blind, humble children. (Psalm 146:8) And to expose the blindness of unrighteous people who say they can see. (Verses 39-41)

Father, help us understand what is involved in true conversion so we may marvel and rejoice over Your work in salvation as we should. Amen.

Let us read and meditate on John 5:1-15 and John 9:6-38.
List the similarities and differences between these two accounts.

Questions for reflection and meditation:
1. Why is the blind beggar not intimidated by the Pharisees or discouraged by the unbelief of his neighbors?
2. The blind beggar gives an invitation (Verse 27) and teaches (Verses 30-33) before conversion. (Verse 38) Do you find that amazing and unique?
3. What are the signs and results of true conversion?
4. How is the glory of God in salvation on display in this passage and in Your life?
5. If a poor blind beggar having every disadvantage can come to salvation, what keeps others who have many advantages blind and lost?

Prayer based on John 9:8-23

A poor blind beggar obeys the command of Jesus to wash in the pool of Siloam and returns seeing. He faces disbelief from his neighbors and later opposition from the Pharisees.

Father, we praise You for giving sight to a poor blind beggar who did not know You, and then You drew him to Yourself through much opposition.

When the blind beggar received his sight, he returned to his neighborhood. Some of his neighbors believed in his healing, but others could not. They asked him how he came to receive his sight. This poor beggar does not have much to say at this time. At the command of Jesus (a man he has never seen and knows nothing about), he went and washed and received his sight. This miracle is hard to believe, along with this man's obedience. His neighbors brought the man to the Pharisees to give his testimony to them. The Pharisees have divided opinions. Some say Jesus cannot be a man of God because he broke the Sabbath, and others accept the miracle and wonder how a sinner could do such a thing. When the Pharisees ask the blind man what he had to say about Jesus, he now gives Jesus the title of Prophet. After the blind man's testimony, they called in his parents, for they did not believe this man could have been born blind. His parents identified the blind man as their son and told the Pharisees their son was born blind. His parents would not testify about the work of Jesus because they were afraid. They told the Pharisees to ask their son, for he was of the age of accountability.

Father, make us as obedient to Your Word as this blind beggar was and cause us to grow in faith as he did through opposition. May we learn that quick, joyful obedience leads to a joy-filled life in You for Your glory and our good. Amen. (Psalm 16:2, 11)

Questions for reflection and meditation:
1. What caused the blind beggar to obey Jesus?
2. Why did his neighbors not believe his testimony?
3. Why did the Pharisees reject the testimonies of the blind man and his parents?
4. What could cause the blind man's parents not to testify about the work of Jesus?
5. What kept the Pharisees from pursuing the truth? The next step would be to solicit the testimony of Jesus.

Prayer based on John 9:1-7

Our trials and tribulations are not only the results of our sins. As long as Jesus is in the world, Jesus is the light of the world. Jesus warns us that darkness is coming and shows Himself to be the light in a dark world.

Father, we praise You for sending Your Son into the world to be its light so Your children may know Your love and worship You and Your Son as they should.

Once again, John records a miracle that lays a foundation for Jesus's teaching. The healing of a blind man was unheard of before Jesus came, and Jesus chose to heal a man who was blind from birth. This miracle is something Israel had never seen. The Old Testament contains no record of any blind man receiving sight. There is a future promise that the Servant of the Lord will come and open the eyes of the blind. (Isaiah 42:1-7) All four Gospel writers recorded the miraculous feeding of the five thousand. Likewise, they recorded more accounts of healing those who were blind than any other type of healing, for these healings are new and astonishing. (John 9:32) The disciples of Jesus ask Him who sinned the blind man or his parents, for they were steeped in Old Testament legalism and could only consider these two possibilities. (Deuteronomy 5:9) Jesus tells His disciples this man is not blind because of sins but to display the works of God. Jesus gives them a new category for suffering. God will allow suffering to bring His children to Himself, causing them to learn to trust Him, resulting in a powerful ministry that will bear much good fruit and bring Him glory. (1 Corinthians 8-9) The ways of God are not our ways! (Isaiah 55:8-9) God works all things for His good purpose. (Romans 8:28, Genesis 50:20) Jesus tells His disciples that He must do the works His Father sent Him to do while there is still light. He warns them that darkness will come when He is gone, for He is the light, and without Him, there will be darkness. (Verse 4) Jesus spat on the ground to make clay and then anointed the blind man's eyes. He told Him to go and wash in the pool of Siloam, and the blind man obeyed and came back seeing.

Father, give us a Biblical view of suffering so we may rejoice in and benefit from all Your works. May we shun darkness and obediently abide in Your light, now and forever. Amen.

Questions for reflection and meditation:
1. Why did John tell us this man was born blind?
2. Why did the healing of a blind man cause so much astonishment?
3. What was the cause of suffering according to the Jewish view?
4. What is Jesus referring to when He says darkness is coming?
5. How can a Biblical view of suffering be beneficial?
6. What suffering in Your life do you thank God for and why?

Prayer based on John 8:46-59

Jesus asks the Jews if anyone can prove Him guilty of sin: the name calling begins, Jesus makes another claim to be God, and the Jews try to stone Him, but Jesus hid Himself from them.

Father, we praise You for Your Son who never retaliated but always spoke the truth in perfect harmony with You.

The Jews claimed they never were enslaved and Abraham was their father. Jesus then corrects their miss conceptions. (Verses 33-45) Jesus then asks the crowd if any of them can prove Him guilty of sin. Since the claims of Jesus are undisputable and they cannot accuse Him of any wrongdoing, the only action they have left is to stoop to name-calling. They hated the Samaritans, so the worst name they could call Jesus was a demon-possessed Samaritan. Jesus rebukes them and tells them that He honors His Father, and they dishonor Him. Jesus then provokes the Jews by telling them another truth. Whoever obeys His Word will never die. The Jews respond with a rebuke: Abraham and the prophets died, and then they ask two questions. Are You greater than Abraham? Who do You think You are? Once again, Jesus tells them God is His Father; He knows Him, obeys Him, and His Father glorifies Him. He then provokes the Jews again by saying their father Abraham rejoiced at the thought of seeing my day. The Jews exclaimed; you are not even fifty years old, and you say you have seen Abraham! Jesus replies, before Abraham was born, I Am! They immediately recognized the reference to the Great I Am who spoke to Moses. (Exodus 3:14) They pick up stones to stone Him for His supposed blasphemy, but Jesus hid Himself and left the temple.

Father, may we be amazed at the sinless ways of Your Son and honor Him as we should. Apart from You, we will deceive ourselves. Keep us from doing what we think is right in our own eyes. Give us eyes to see our foolish fleshly ways and fill us with more desire for You so we will turn from sin and live for You. Amen.

Questions for reflection and meditation:
1. What amazes you, troubles you, or confuses you about Jesus's response to the Jews in this passage?
2. What provoked the Jews to display such intense anger toward Jesus?
3. Why did the Jews want to stone Jesus?

Prayer based on John 8:31-45

The Truth of the Gospel sets us free from a false faith in inadequate and attractive objects. Believing in the Gospel sets us free from the bo***ge of sin. This Scripture teaches us the difference between being a child of God and a child of the devil.

Father, we praise You for Your blessings and Your warnings.

Jesus makes it clear who are His true disciples. They abide in Him, for they love His Word. Out of their love for Him flows obedience and freedom from the bo***ge of sin. (Verses 31-32) The Pharisees challenge Jesus, claiming they have never been in bo***ge to anyone. They conveniently forget Egypt, Assyria, Babylonia, Persia, Greece, and Rome. Jesus focuses His attention on the Jews who would believe instead of attacking the foolish statement of the Pharisees. Jesus qualifies His claim. (Verses 34-36) Anyone who sins is a slave to sin. A slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son does. Therefore, if Jesus sets you free, you shall be free indeed. Jesus continues to speak boldly to the Pharisees regardless of their hostility. He tells the Pharisees they hate Him and desire to kill Him because God's Word has no place in them. (Verse 37) The Pharisees then claim Abraham as their father. Jesus said you are the physical descendants of Abraham, but you are not his true children, for you do not do the works of Abraham. (Verses 37-41) The Pharisees then claim to be the children of God. Jesus challenges their claim by telling them if they were God's children, they would love His Son and listen to His Words, for He came from God and spoke the truth of God. (Verses 42-43) Jesus loves the Pharisees and wants them to be free from their bo***ge to sin. Therefore, He will speak directly to them. He tells them plainly that they are children of the devil, for they have the same evil desires and cannot hear and understand God's Word. (Verses 44-47)

Father, we are so easily deceived. We can claim to be Your children even when we are bearing bad fruit in our lives. We can justify our actions and easily blame others and circumstances for our problems. (Matthew 15:8, 18-19) Our only hope is in Your salvation. You must save us and give us new desires. Amen.

Questions for reflection and meditation:
1. According to this passage, what is the evidence of salvation? (Verse 39)
2. What are the fruits of true faith in Christ? Galatians 5:22-24)
3. What reasons could Jesus have for provoking those who oppose Him and want to kill Him? Have you ever loved someone enough to respond to them as Jesus did with the Pharisees?
4. Jesus tells the Pharisees they are children of the devil. What proof does He give?
5. How does sin make you a slave to sin?
6. When was the last time you accepted responsibility for your sin and repented?

Prayer based on John 8:21-30

Jesus continued to patiently and persistently teach the blind, hardhearted Pharisees despite their lack of understanding and opposition, and His tenacity paid off in the end.

Father, we praise You for You pursued us despite our lack of understanding and opposition.

Jesus tells the Jews, once again, that He is going away, and they cannot go where He is going. Again, they are incapable of understanding, for they ask themselves if Jesus will commit su***de. Jesus does not give up on them and speaks to them in simple language. Jesus tells them plainly that they are from below and belong to this world, and He is from above, sent from heaven. Jesus warns them again that if they do not believe I am He, they will die in their sin of unbelief. Even though His Words could not be any plainer, they still did not get it, for they responded by asking Jesus Who are You? Jesus patiently replies from the beginning, I have precisely proclaimed who I am. Although they do not understand, Jesus continues to speak of His crucifixion and resurrection. (Verse 28) After they lift up the Son of Man (Daniel 7:13-14), they will know that I am He, the One sent by God. Jesus continues to reinforce three more things: God has not left me alone, I speak and act in harmony with God, and I please Him in all things. Jesus did not give up on the hardhearted Jews but continued to teach them, and the result was that many came to believe in Him. (Verse 30)

Father, show us how to be effective ministers of Your Gospel. Give us more desire to walk in harmony with You and more compassion for You and Your Gospel. When we encounter opposition, may we quickly turn to You and receive the mercy and grace we need to stand steadfast for Your Gospel! Make us willing to make the sacrifices that effective ministry requires and fill us with joy. (2 Corinthians 9:8) May our lives be a powerful testimony of Your grace. Amen.

Questions for reflection and meditation:
1. What lessons can we learn about effective ministry from this passage?
2. What does effective Gospel-centered ministry require?
3. Why will effective ministering always be filled with joy?

Prayer based on John 8:12-20

Jesus continues with much patience and repeats what He has already taught. (John 5:18-47). The Pharisees remain blind and unable to understand. They misconstrued everything Jesus said and continued to challenge and oppose the very Words of Jesus. They are clearly of the flesh and can not comprehend the things of the Spirit. Jesus shows great compassion and patience with the Pharisees as He continues to challenge them. Although they wanted to take Him by force, no one would attempt to do it. (Verse 20) Jesus amazingly shows love to those who hate Him and His Father.

Father, we praise You for Your kindness to the wicked and the ungrateful. (Luke 6:35)

Jesus proclaims that He is the light of life, and all who follow Him will not walk in darkness. The Pharisees reject Jesus's self-witness. Jesus reminds them of the Book of the Law, which states that the testimony of two men is true. (Deuteronomy 19:15) Jesus repeats His teaching from (John 5:36-37). My Father, who sent me, and I both bear witness of me. (Verse 18) The blind Pharisees sadly respond with a question, where is your father? They are so blind, and Jesus is so patient and persistent. Jesus lovingly addresses their chief problem: they do not know Him or His Father. (Verse 19) Jesus spoke these words in the temple area, and no one arrested Him, for His time had not come. (Verse 20)

Father, give us a greater love for You and more faith to walk in Your ways uninhibited by the risk and the cost. Conform us to Yourself by giving us the kind of love and faith that will compel us to action and allow us to love and care for the hardest of hearts. Amen.

Questions for reflection and meditation:
1. What can you learn about Jesus from studying this passage?
2. What made it impossible for the Pharisees to understand and accept the teachings of Jesus?
3. What is the one and only solution for a hard heart?
4. How many people do you know with hard hearts which make it impossible for them to understand the things of God? Have you given up on any of them? Why or why not?

Prayer based on John 8:1-11.

The earlier manuscripts do not include John 7:53 through 8:1-11. It appears inserted, for it breaks the natural flow from verse 52. Inserted or not, this Scripture has a lot to teach us. It shows another example of the opposition to Jesus and His gracious response to the opposition. This opposition will continue through chapter 10 and climax in chapter 11 when Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead.
The Pharisees brought a woman caught in the act of adultery to Jesus. They did this in public to trap Him. Jesus's response is perfect. It upholds Jewish and Roman law and exposes the wickedness of His accusers.

Father, we praise You for exposing the wicked ways of the Pharisees and displaying the wisdom and grace of Jesus.

Early in the morning, Jesus came to the temple and sat down to teach, and many people came to hear Him. The Pharisees brought to Him a woman caught in adultery and asked Him how He would respond. How did Jesus show His compassion for this unjustly accused woman without being accused of breaking the law of Moses or the law of Rome and, at the same time, reveal the wickedness of the Pharisees? The law of Moses called for stoning. And according to Roman law, they were not allowed to do it. Scripture tells us that Jesus continued to write in the sand as the Pharisees pressed Him for an answer. Many interpreters are fascinated by what Jesus wrote in the sand, but I will not speculate about what God has not revealed. Writing in the sand is a part of this account and shows a long delay between the proposed question and Jesus's reply. Jesus could have responded in many ways to expose the wicked foolishness of the Pharisees. He could have asked where is the man, for their charges required both to be present. Instead of shutting down their foolish plans, Jesus uses this situation to teach. He tells them that he who is without sin among them may throw the first stone. The Pharisees were convicted and left one by one, beginning with the oldest. Jesus, alone with the woman, asks her; Who is there to convict you? Jesus, filled with grace and truth (John 1:14), tells the woman that He does not condemn her and then commands her to leave her life of sin.

Father, may we be overwhelmed by Your grace and obedient to Your truth. Amen.

Questions for reflection and meditation:
1. What were the sinful motives of the Pharisees in bringing a pr******te to Jesus during His public teaching?
2. Describe the trap set by the Pharisees.
3. What three things did Jesus accomplish with His response?
4. Why did Jesus wait so long to reply?
5. Do you pray and give careful thought to your responses? Why or why not?
6. How does Jesus display His divine grace and truth in this Scripture?

Prayer based on John 7:37-52

The Feast of the Tabernacles was also known as the Feast of the Booths. It celebrated the harvest in the fall and the much-needed refreshing, life-giving water that God provided from the rock in the wilderness. (Exodus 17:1-7) Jesus promises to give living water to all who come to Him. Some accept Jesus as a prophet, and others reject Him. The officers sent to arrest Jesus return empty-handed.

Father, we praise You for Your life-giving Spirit, which You freely give to all of Your children. Every day, You give us so many reasons to celebrate. Your grace is new every morning. (Lamentations 3:22-23)

Jesus stood on the last day of the Feast and invited the thirsty to come to Him and drink. This cry was scandalous, for Jesus claimed to be the source of living water. He would send the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on all believers after Pentecost. (Verse 39) Many believed, but others would not. Again, they wanted to take Him captive, but no one would lay a hand on Him. When the temple police returned empty-handed, the Pharisees asked why they did not arrest Jesus. They said no one ever spoke like this man! The Pharisees asked them how they became deceived. The Pharisees could not believe in Jesus because they had a highly inflated view of themselves and a low opinion of the crowd. (Verses 48-49) Nicodemus, who had believed in Jesus (John 3:2) but not openly, asked the Pharisees if their law judges a man before giving him a hearing. The Pharisee's response to Nicodemus is pitiful. (Verse 52)

Father, In the light of Your mercy and grace, may we rejoice in Your life-giving Spirit. Fill us daily with Your Spirit so we may be a spring overflowing with living water, blessing You and everyone You bring into our lives. May all our days be spent living in joyful obedience under the authority of Your Word. (Psalm 16:2, 11) Amen.

Questions for reflection and meditation:
1. When do rivers of living water flow out of our hearts?
2. What had to happen before the Holy Spirit could live in a believer? (Verse 39)
3. What kept the temple police from being offended by Jesus's teaching and doing what the Pharisees sent them to do?
4. Why did the Pharisees respond so harshly to Nicodemus's question?
5. How will an inflated view of self and a low view of others affect our understanding of Scripture and limit our ability to minister to others?

Prayer based on John 7:25-36

Jesus addresses the unbelief of the Jews, and many believe in Him. Although some in the crowd wanted to take Him by force, and Pharisees sent officers to arrest Him, no one laid a hand on Him, for His time had not come.

Father, we praise You for Your sovereignty over all situations.

Jesus again addresses the unbelief of the Jews. He tells them that they do not know Him or His Father. He claims to know His Father and to speak with His Father's authority, for His Father has sent Him. This claim angers some in the crowd, and they want to take Him, but no one laid a hand on Him, for His time had not come. Many in this crowd did believe because of the signs He had done. (Verses 28-31) When the Pharisees heard this teaching and saw the response of many people, they sent officers to arrest Jesus. (Verse 32) Jesus tells them He will be with them a little longer: He will return to His Father and then assures them they cannot come where He is going. (In six months, Pilate will order the crucifixion of Jesus.) The Jews could not understand the work God the Father sent Jesus to do. (Verses 33-36)

Father, we are blind to Your work until You open our eyes. Let us see Your holiness, our sinfulness, and Your ability to make us clean. (Isaiah 6:1-6) Only then will we admit that we cannot go where Your Son has gone. Show us our great need for Your salvation and sustaining grace so we may joyfully live in union with You. Amen.

Questions for reflection and meditation:
1. According to this passage, why do some believe in Jesus and others do not?
2. What caused some Jews in the crowd to be angry with Jesus?
3. Why did the temple police not arrest Jesus?
4. What does Jesus teach us in (verses 33-34), and why did the Jews not understand?

Prayer based on John 7:10-24

This Scripture teaches us that all things are under God's wise, governing hand and shows the perfect obedience, authority, and humility of Jesus.

Father, we praise You, for You will direct the ways of Your children (those submitted to You) just as You did for Your Son in this passage.

After Jesus's brothers went up to the Feast, Jesus sought the will of His Father. He would only do the work of His Father in the way and the time prescribed by Him. Therefore, He went to the Feast not openly but in secret. Many Jews sought Him and had divided opinions of Him. (Verses 10-13) In the middle of the Feast, Jesus went up to the temple and taught. The Jews marveled at His teaching because He taught with authority, unlike any other. Jesus tells the crowd that His words are authoritative because they belong to His Father, who sent Him, and they can know they are true. He tells them He does not seek His glory but the glory of the One who sent Him. Therefore, there is no unrighteousness in Him, for His words and ways are in perfect harmony with His Father. (Verses 14-18) Jesus tells them Moses gave them the law, and none of them keep it, and they seek to kill Him. Some cannot accept this truth and conclude that He must have a demon. (Verse 19-20) Jesus patiently reminds them of the sign that testifies to His God-given authority over everything, including the Sabbath. (John 5:8-9, 16-17) The work of circumcision was acceptable on the Sabbath because it was a command of God. Since Jesus always works in harmony with God's commands, all that Jesus does on the Sabbath must be acceptable. (Verses 21-23) Jesus concludes with a calling for all to judge rightly. (Verse 24)

Let us read and meditate on Psalm 119:33-40

Father, cause us to know You more so we may honor You and Your Son as we should. Give us more desire to conform to Your righteous ways and the power we need to forsake our fallen ways. Amen.

Questions for reflection and meditation:
1. What does Jesus mean when He says, "My time has not yet come"?
2. What caused some Jews to believe Jesus is good and others to conclude he is a deceiver?
3. What do (verses 16-18) tell us about the nature of Jesus?
4. What made Jesus's teaching different from all others?
5. What is the argument Jesus is making in (verse 23)?
6. What righteous judgments have you made this past week, and how did you make them? (Verse 24)