Closer To Heaven
|
|
|
07 October 2024| “In the predawn hours of 6 June 2023, a pair of explosions rocked the Kakhovka Dam, a 3-kilometer-long hydropower facility on the Dnipro River in southern Ukraine.” This is the opening statement of an article in Science magazine scientific journal charting the deterioration of one of Europe’s largest reservoirs, and its repercussions. […] Source: https://atoday.org/adra-ukraine-aids-in-regional-water-crisis/
7 October 2024 | Dear Aunt Sevvy, I was doing an online course on an Adventist website and saw this passage: On that day, two small goats were brought to the front of the temple. Then lots were cast regarding which one would be “for the Lord”, and which one would represent the devil (Leviticus […] Source: https://atoday.org/aunt-sevvy-do-adventists-believe-that-satan-dies-for-our-sins/
Daily Lesson for Tuesday 8th of October 2024
The disciples made a connection between sickness and sin. A number of Old Testament passages point in that direction (compare with Exodus 20:5, 2 Kings 5:15-27, 2 Kings 15:5, and 2 Chronicles 26:16-21), but the story of Job should have led to caution about whether such a connection always occurred.
Image © Lifeway Collection at Goodsalt.com
Jesus sets the matter straight, not denying any connection between sin and suffering but, in this case, pointing to a higher purpose: that God would be glorified by the healing. The account contains certain affinities to the Creation story, that of God’s forming the first man from the dust of the ground (Genesis 2:7), just as Jesus makes clay to provide the blind man what was missing from the womb.
In Matthew, Mark, and Luke, miracle stories follow a common pattern: an expression of the problem, the bringing of the individual to Jesus, the cure, and recognition of the cure with praise to God.
In the story in John 9:1-41, this sequence is completed in John 9:7. But typical of John, the significance of the miracle becomes the much wider point of discussion, leading to a long interaction between the healed man and the religious leaders. This striking discussion revolves around two intertwined contrasting pairs of concepts—sin/works of God and blindness/sight.
The narrator does not tell the reader until John 9:14 that Jesus did this healing on the Sabbath, which, according to tradition and not Scripture, violated the Sabbath. And thus, He was counted as a Sabbath breaker by the Pharisees. Their conclusion was that He was not from God because they maintained that “He does not keep the Sabbath.” But others found it troubling that a sinner could do such signs (John 9:16).
The discussion is far from over, but already a division appears. The blind man is becoming more and more clear about who Jesus is, but the religious leaders are becoming more and more confused or blind as to His real identity.
|
What should this story tell us about the dangers of being so blinded by our own beliefs and traditions that we can miss important truths right before our own eyes? |
(0)Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/24d-02-the-healing-of-the-blind-man-part-1/
Have you ever wondered how you can make a real difference in the world? In this video, we discuss the urgent need for Bible workers in Nepal and how your support can help us reach more people with the gospel. For just $1,000 a month, we can support three dedicated workers spreading hope and faith across the country. Hit that like button if you’re ready to join this mission! #SupportBibleWorkers #GospelInNepal #MakeADifference #awr #adventistworldradio Watch the full video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ko5z7fnrVe4 MB01LI2BFWWAP6P #short Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2yIuPdFdH8A
Are you feeling lost or empty? This video explores the profound hope and light found in God's Word. Discover how His presence can fill any void in your life. How do you let God's light guide you? Hit that like button if you seek His guidance and subscribe for more uplifting content! #GodsLight #HopeInHim #FaithJourney #awr #adventistworldradio *Check out our other Podcasts*
https://awr.org/listen *Check out our other videos*
https://youtu.be/z4Ij9bt0hnE *Check our offerings:*
https://awr.org/support *Find us at*
https://bible.awr.org/en/intro *Get in touch*
Contact us on web@awr.org *Follow us*
Get updates or reach out to our Social Media Profiles!
Twitter: https://x.com/awr360
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AWR360
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/awr.360
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@awr360 Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jR2_M1vs8eU
Intercer is a website with biblical materials in Romanian, English, Hungarian and other languages. We want to bring the light from God's Word to peoples homes. Intercer provides quality Christian resources...[Read More]
