Taking a STAND

In spite of our 'liberal' and 'diversity' loving culture, when you see Jesus' Critics Converging - you need to take a STAND.

Back to John 9:8-34.  Was the blind man's cure worse than his disease?  His troubles began with his healing!  Seems even when the miraculous occurs we still do not get to live happily ever after!  Consider this:

See trouble coming.  When you dedicate yourself to Christ, expect problems with the world.
Matthew 16:24 - take up your cross
Luke 22:36 - buy a sword

Take a history lesson.  When you are criticized, realize that it is not about you, it is about whom God is!  Jesus was hounded over healing on the Sabbath, "who's your daddy", etc.  The blind man was "arrested" and forced to account for his own healing!

Anticipate push back.  The blind man was "brought" in for interrogation - there was no joy over his healing.  Critics want to discredit Jesus - and use you to do it!  The now healed man learns that the Pharisees are not his friends.....

Note, even those closest to you will step farther away from you!  "Fear of the Jews, lest he be thrown out of the synagog" !  Even the blind man's own parents did not stand up for him when questioned!  Jesus was a threat to the Pharisees, so anyone supporting him was thrown out!  Kris' Weakest Link Theory in action and in the Bible!

Dare to tell your own story.  You must be able to witness your own story, not someone else's!  Be prepared to tell your truth of Jesus in your life.  You are not expected to know everything, just what you do know.  All the blind man knew: "I was blind and now I see....".

"And they threw him out of the synagog...."  Which meant he was stripped of his Jewishness and declared a Gentile - to be considered dead by both family and friends.  But, then again, he did find the Messiah.