October 17th~Blind and Barren

Luke 12:35-13:21

John 9:1-41

Jesus used an illustration to describe the unbelief of the Jews. “A man (God) planted a fig tree in his garden and came again and again to see if there was any fruit on it, but he was always dis- appointed. Finally, he said to his gardener, ‘I’ve waited three years and there hasn’t been a single fig! Cut it down! It’s taking up space we can use for something else’” (Luke 13:6-9).

Jesus went on to say that the gardener (Jesus) answered, “Give it one more chance. Leave it another year... If we get figs next year, fine. If not, you can cut it down.” Here is a prophecy of Jerusalem’s rejection of Christ and ultimate destruction by the Romans. Jesus had spent three years teaching, healing, and sharing His message of salvation. It wouldn’t have mattered if Jesus would have stayed thirty years; the Jews were not going to change. Instead, they refused to believe and receive Him, and, thus, they bore no fruit. God would, indeed, cut them down and give time for the Gentile nations to respond.

This hard-hearted rejection of Christ was further illustrated in the response of the religious leaders when Jesus healed a man born blind (John 9:1-41). Their contention was, of course, that Jesus healed him on the Sabbath, a violation of the law of Moses. The law was never intended to prevent someone from extending mercy to someone else. Here again is an example of the Jews following the letter of the law to the point that helping others was a “sin.”

The blind man and his parents gave an extraordinary testimony of what happened, but the Pharisees refused to believe it. “I know this,” he said, “I once was blind and now I see.” But, it wasn’t enough for these callous men to forfeit their pride. Though they saw an uncommon miracle, they chose to remain in their blindness.

Daily Reflection

Several points of application are obvious here. First, the blind man gives us an example of personal testimony. Sometimes we think that we must know all of the answers before we can share the gospel with others. Not true. All we have to do is tell our story, what Christ has done in our lives. Just say, “I once was blind and now I see” and let God do the rest.

Second, even with truth on our side and a logical defense of our faith, some people will never believe. They may be very smart, even “religious,” and, yet, they will reject the evidence before them, because it means that they must surrender their pride. Though they can see, they choose to remain blind.

Third, true disciples of Christ bear fruit. Though some people may claim to be Christian or they may seem to be religious — they go to church, read their Bible, or say all of the right things — they have no fruit in their lives to sup- port their claim. In the end, many will say to God, “Lord, Lord, we did all these things in your name”; but He will say, “Get away from Me, for I never knew you” (Matthew 7:23).

Are you bearing genuine Christ-like fruit in your life, or are you a barren tree claiming to be a follower of God? How can you tell?

Have you been playing the religious “game” when you have really been blind to the Gospel? Pray that the Lord will open your eyes!

BiAY.org |Day 290 — 75 Days to Go