Do Not Doubt

Therefore they asked him, “Then how were your eyes opened?” He answered, “The man called Jesus made mud, spread it on my eyes, and told me, ‘Go to Siloam and wash.’ So when I went and washed I received my sight.” John 9:10-11 HCSB

When I visited Israel I had the opportunity to visit the pool of Siloam which is located inside the city walls of Jerusalem. It was built during the reign of King Hezekiah about 711 B.C. Having a protected water source was essential to defend the city against any enemies. The pool was created by cutting a tunnel through solid rock from the spring of Gihon. The pool is 71 feet long by 75 feet wide. There are steps along one side. The name “siloam” meant “sent” or “sending,” probably referring to the waters being sent to the pool from the spring of Gihon.

The pool of Siloam was the place where Jesus displayed His power and might by healing the blind beggar. Just as these waters were sent from a spring, Jesus was sent by God to the world not only to provide a way for our sins to be forgiven and restore a right relationship with God the Father, but He was also sent to the blind beggar to restore his sight. Even though Jesus demonstrated His great power, the man’s neighbors doubted and questioned if the man healed was actually the man they knew.

Challenge: Why do some people doubt the power of God and the ability of Jesus to perform miracles of healing? Do not doubt God’s great power or His ability to perform miracles even today. When you do have feelings of doubt, look to the lives of other believers and observe how God is working in miraculous ways.

Jesus is Without Sin

“Who among you can convict Me of sin? If I tell the truth, why don’t you believe Me? The one who is from God listens to God’s words. This is why you don’t listen, because you are not from God.” John 8:46-47 HCSB

Recently the news has been reporting on a trial of a man accused of a gruesome murder. After several days of testimony from different people, it took the jury only 17 minutes to convict the man of murder. The next day it took the jury four hours to determine that the sentence should be death because of the level of violence involved in the crime.

Jesus boldly asked the religious leaders, “Who among you can convict Me of sin?” Jesus was tempted just as we are, but He was without sin. He never gave into temptation. Since He was sinless, He could be the perfect sacrifice that was made for our sins. God provided the perfect, sinless, lamb of God to die in our place so we could be forgiven and have eternal life with Him in heaven. Jesus did not deserve to die, but He willingly gave His life and died a cruel death on the cross so we might live.

Challenge: Take the challenge of Jesus; can you convict Him of sin? Are you willing to believe what you discover about Jesus? He is perfect, without sin, and did not deserve to die but He gave His life so you might be forgiven and gain eternal life. Thank Him for His willingness to humbly come to earth and give His life as a ransom for your sins.