The Upper Room Daily Reflections in Nashville, Tennessee, United States for Friday, 24 March 2017 "Concern for Others"
Today’s Reflection:
THE MORE WE PRAY, the more we feel concern for others and the less we worry about our own accumulating. Most of us who have read the Bible at all know this truth in our hearts. Yet for those of us who live in the midst of a powerful materialistic machine, global capitalism, it is a truth easy to forget and hard to live out.[Daniel Wolpert, Creating a Life with God]From pages 151-152 of Creating a Life with God: The Call of Ancient Prayer Practices by Daniel Wolpert. Copyright © 2003 by Daniel Wolpert. All rights reserved. Used by permission of Upper Room Books. http://bookstore.upperroom.org/Learn more about or purchase this book.
Today’s Question:
Spend time today praying for others.
Today’s Scripture:
For once you were darkness, but now in the Lord you are light. Live as children of light—for the fruit of the light is found in all that is good and right and true.[Ephesians 5:8-9, NRSV]
This Week: pray for those who are homeless.
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Did You Know?
In need of prayer? The Upper Room Living Prayer Center is a 7-day-a-week intercessory prayer ministry staffed by trained volunteers. Call 1-800-251-2468 or visit The Living Prayer Centerwebsite.
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This week we remember: Cuthbert of Lindisfarne (March 20).
Cuthbert of Lindisfarne
March 20
As a boy growing up in northern England, Cuthbert was working as a shepherd when he thought he saw angels carrying Aidan's soul into heaven. He went to the monastery at Melrose and asked for admittance. Within ten years Cuthbert was the prior where he was known for his kind spirit. In 664 he became prior of Lindisfarne and spent the next twelve years evangelizing Northumbria.
In 676 Cuthbert followed what he felt as a call to be a hermit and moved to Inner Farne, a more remote island. Because of his reputation as a spiritual director, many people took boats to Inner Farne to ask his guidance.
In 685 Cuthbert was chosen as Bishop of Hexham, so he reluctantly left his solitude and became a traveling bishop. After a year, however, he returned to his hermitage on Inner Farne, where he died on March 20, 687. Cuthbert of Lindisfarne is buried in Durham Cathedral.
If Cuthbert of Lindisfarne had taken the Spiritual Types Test, he probably would have been a Lover. Cuthbert of Lindisfarne is remembered on March 20.
Image is detail of window of St Cuthbert as a Youth Tending His Sheep. St Cuthbert's Parish Church, Lothian Road, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK.
Did You Know?
In need of prayer? The Upper Room Living Prayer Center is a 7-day-a-week intercessory prayer ministry staffed by trained volunteers. Call 1-800-251-2468 or visit The Living Prayer Centerwebsite.
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This week we remember: Cuthbert of Lindisfarne (March 20).
Cuthbert of LindisfarneMarch 20
As a boy growing up in northern England, Cuthbert was working as a shepherd when he thought he saw angels carrying Aidan's soul into heaven. He went to the monastery at Melrose and asked for admittance. Within ten years Cuthbert was the prior where he was known for his kind spirit. In 664 he became prior of Lindisfarne and spent the next twelve years evangelizing Northumbria.
In 676 Cuthbert followed what he felt as a call to be a hermit and moved to Inner Farne, a more remote island. Because of his reputation as a spiritual director, many people took boats to Inner Farne to ask his guidance.
In 685 Cuthbert was chosen as Bishop of Hexham, so he reluctantly left his solitude and became a traveling bishop. After a year, however, he returned to his hermitage on Inner Farne, where he died on March 20, 687. Cuthbert of Lindisfarne is buried in Durham Cathedral.
If Cuthbert of Lindisfarne had taken the Spiritual Types Test, he probably would have been a Lover. Cuthbert of Lindisfarne is remembered on March 20.
Image is detail of window of St Cuthbert as a Youth Tending His Sheep. St Cuthbert's Parish Church, Lothian Road, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK.
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Lectionary Readings:
Sunday, 26 March 2017
(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)
1 Samuel 16:1-13
Psalm 23
Ephesians 5:8-14
John 9:1-41
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Sunday, 26 March 2017
(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)
1 Samuel 16:1-13
Psalm 23
Ephesians 5:8-14
John 9:1-41
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Scripture Texts: 1 Samuel 16:1 Adonai said to Sh’mu’el, “How much longer are you going to go on grieving for Sha’ul, now that I have rejected him as king over Isra’el? Fill your horn with oil, and set out; I will send you to Yishai the Beit-Lachmi, because I have chosen myself a king from among his sons.” 2 Sh’mu’el said, “How can I go? If Sha’ul hears of it, he will have me killed.” Adonai said, “Take a female cow with you and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to Adonai.’ 3 Summon Yishai to the sacrifice. I will tell you what to do, and you are to anoint for me the person I point out to you.”
4 Sh’mu’el did what Adonai said and arrived at Beit-Lechem. The leaders of the city came trembling to meet him and asked, “Are you coming in peace?” 5 He answered, “In peace. I have come to sacrifice to Adonai. Consecrate yourselves, and come with me to the sacrifice.” He consecrated Yishai and his sons and summoned them to the sacrifice. 6 When they had come, he looked at Eli’av and said, “This has to be Adonai’s anointed one, here before him.” 7 But Adonai said to Sh’mu’el, “Don’t pay attention to how he looks or how tall he is, because I have rejected him. Adonai doesn’t see the way humans see — humans look at the outward appearance, but Adonai looks at the heart.” 8 Then Yishai called Avinadav and presented him to Sh’mu’el; but he said, “Adonai hasn’t chosen this one either.” 9 Yishai presented Shammah; again Sh’mu’el said, “Adonai hasn’t chosen this one either.” 10 Yishai presented seven of his sons to Sh’mu’el; but Sh’mu’el told Yishai, “Adonai has not chosen these. 11 Are all your sons here?” Sh’mu’el asked Yishai. He replied, “There is still the youngest; he’s out there tending the sheep.” Sh’mu’el said to Yishai, “Send and bring him back, because we won’t sit down to eat until he gets here.” 12 He sent and brought him in. With ruddy cheeks, red hair and bright eyes, he was a good-looking fellow. Adonai said, “Stand up and anoint him; he’s the one.” 13 Sh’mu’el took the horn of oil and anointed him there in his brothers’ presence. From that day on, the Spirit of Adonai would fall upon David with power. So Sh’mu’el set out and went to Ramah.
Psalm 23: (0) A psalm of David:
(1) Adonai is my shepherd; I lack nothing.
2 He has me lie down in grassy pastures,
he leads me by quiet water,
3 he restores my inner person.
He guides me in right paths
for the sake of his own name.
4 Even if I pass through death-dark ravines,
I will fear no disaster; for you are with me;
your rod and staff reassure me.
5 You prepare a table for me,
even as my enemies watch;
you anoint my head with oil
from an overflowing cup.
6 Goodness and grace will pursue me
every day of my life;
and I will live in the house of Adonai
for years and years to come.
Ephesians 5:8 For you used to be darkness; but now, united with the Lord, you are light. Live like children of light, 9 for the fruit of the light is in every kind of goodness, rightness and truth — 10 try to determine what will please the Lord. 11 Have nothing to do with the deeds produced by darkness, but instead expose them, 12 for it is shameful even to speak of the things these people do in secret. 13 But everything exposed to the light is revealed clearly for what it is, 14 since anything revealed is a light. This is why it says,
John 9:1 As Yeshua passed along, he saw a man blind from birth. 2 His talmidim asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned — this man or his parents — to cause him to be born blind?” 3 Yeshua answered, “His blindness is due neither to his sin nor to that of his parents; it happened so that God’s power might be seen at work in him. 4 As long as it is day, we must keep doing the work of the One who sent me; the night is coming, when no one can work. 5 While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”
6 Having said this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, put the mud on the man’s eyes, 7 and said to him, “Go, wash off in the Pool of Shiloach!” (The name means “sent.”) So he went and washed and came away seeing.
8 His neighbors and those who previously had seen him begging said, “Isn’t this the man who used to sit and beg?” 9 Some said, “Yes, he’s the one”; while others said, “No, but he looks like him.” However, he himself said, “I’m the one.” 10 “How were your eyes opened?” they asked him. 11 He answered, “The man called Yeshua made mud, put it on my eyes, and told me, ‘Go to Shiloach and wash!’ So I went; and as soon as I had washed, I could see.” 12 They said to him, “Where is he?” and he replied, “I don’t know.”
13 They took the man who had been blind to the P’rushim. 14 Now the day on which Yeshua had made the mud and opened his eyes was Shabbat. 15 So the P’rushim asked him again how he had become able to see; and he told them, “He put mud on my eyes, then I washed, and now I can see.” 16 At this, some of the P’rushim said, “This man is not from God, because he doesn’t keep Shabbat.” But others said, “How could a man who is a sinner do miracles like these?” And there was a split among them. 17 So once more they spoke to the blind man: “Since you’re the one whose eyes he opened, what do you say about him?” He replied: “He is a prophet.”
18 The Judeans, however, were unwilling to believe that he had formerly been blind, but now could see, until they had summoned the man’s parents. 19 They asked them, “Is this your son, who you say was born blind? How is it that now he can see?” 20 His parents answered, “We know that this is our son and that he was born blind; 21 but how it is that he can see now, we don’t know; nor do we know who opened his eyes. Ask him — he’s old enough, he can speak for himself!” 22 The parents said this because they were afraid of the Judeans, for the Judeans had already agreed that anyone who acknowledged Yeshua as the Messiah would be banned from the synagogue. 23 This is why his parents said, “He’s old enough, ask him.”
24 So a second time they called the man who had been blind; and they said to him, “Swear to God that you will tell the truth! We know that this man is a sinner.” 25 He answered, “Whether he’s a sinner or not I don’t know. One thing I do know: I was blind, now I see.” 26 So they said to him, “What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?” 27 “I already told you,” he answered, “and you didn’t listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Maybe you too want to become his talmidim?” 28 Then they railed at him. “You may be his talmid,” they said, “but we are talmidim of Moshe! 29 We know that God has spoken to Moshe, but as for this fellow — we don’t know where he’s from!” 30 “What a strange thing,” the man answered, “that you don’t know where he’s from — considering that he opened my eyes! 31 We know that God doesn’t listen to sinners; but if anyone fears God and does his will, God does listen to him. 32 In all history no one has ever heard of someone’s opening the eyes of a man born blind. 33 If this man were not from God, he couldn’t do a thing!” 34 “Why, you mamzer!” they retorted, “Are you lecturing us?” And they threw him out.
35 Yeshua heard that they had thrown the man out. He found him and said, “Do you trust in the Son of Man?” 36 “Sir,” he answered, “tell me who he is, so that I can trust in him.” 37 Yeshua said to him, “You have seen him. In fact, he’s the one speaking with you now.” 38 “Lord, I trust!” he said, and he kneeled down in front of him.
39 Yeshua said, “It is to judge that I came into this world, so that those who do not see might see, and those who do see might become blind.” 40 Some of the P’rushim nearby heard this and said to him, “So we’re blind too, are we?” 41 Yeshua answered them, “If you were blind, you would not be guilty of sin. But since you still say, ‘We see,’ your guilt remains.
4 Sh’mu’el did what Adonai said and arrived at Beit-Lechem. The leaders of the city came trembling to meet him and asked, “Are you coming in peace?” 5 He answered, “In peace. I have come to sacrifice to Adonai. Consecrate yourselves, and come with me to the sacrifice.” He consecrated Yishai and his sons and summoned them to the sacrifice. 6 When they had come, he looked at Eli’av and said, “This has to be Adonai’s anointed one, here before him.” 7 But Adonai said to Sh’mu’el, “Don’t pay attention to how he looks or how tall he is, because I have rejected him. Adonai doesn’t see the way humans see — humans look at the outward appearance, but Adonai looks at the heart.” 8 Then Yishai called Avinadav and presented him to Sh’mu’el; but he said, “Adonai hasn’t chosen this one either.” 9 Yishai presented Shammah; again Sh’mu’el said, “Adonai hasn’t chosen this one either.” 10 Yishai presented seven of his sons to Sh’mu’el; but Sh’mu’el told Yishai, “Adonai has not chosen these. 11 Are all your sons here?” Sh’mu’el asked Yishai. He replied, “There is still the youngest; he’s out there tending the sheep.” Sh’mu’el said to Yishai, “Send and bring him back, because we won’t sit down to eat until he gets here.” 12 He sent and brought him in. With ruddy cheeks, red hair and bright eyes, he was a good-looking fellow. Adonai said, “Stand up and anoint him; he’s the one.” 13 Sh’mu’el took the horn of oil and anointed him there in his brothers’ presence. From that day on, the Spirit of Adonai would fall upon David with power. So Sh’mu’el set out and went to Ramah.
Psalm 23: (0) A psalm of David:
(1) Adonai is my shepherd; I lack nothing.
2 He has me lie down in grassy pastures,
he leads me by quiet water,
3 he restores my inner person.
He guides me in right paths
for the sake of his own name.
4 Even if I pass through death-dark ravines,
I will fear no disaster; for you are with me;
your rod and staff reassure me.
5 You prepare a table for me,
even as my enemies watch;
you anoint my head with oil
from an overflowing cup.
6 Goodness and grace will pursue me
every day of my life;
and I will live in the house of Adonai
for years and years to come.
Ephesians 5:8 For you used to be darkness; but now, united with the Lord, you are light. Live like children of light, 9 for the fruit of the light is in every kind of goodness, rightness and truth — 10 try to determine what will please the Lord. 11 Have nothing to do with the deeds produced by darkness, but instead expose them, 12 for it is shameful even to speak of the things these people do in secret. 13 But everything exposed to the light is revealed clearly for what it is, 14 since anything revealed is a light. This is why it says,
John 9:1 As Yeshua passed along, he saw a man blind from birth. 2 His talmidim asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned — this man or his parents — to cause him to be born blind?” 3 Yeshua answered, “His blindness is due neither to his sin nor to that of his parents; it happened so that God’s power might be seen at work in him. 4 As long as it is day, we must keep doing the work of the One who sent me; the night is coming, when no one can work. 5 While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”
6 Having said this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, put the mud on the man’s eyes, 7 and said to him, “Go, wash off in the Pool of Shiloach!” (The name means “sent.”) So he went and washed and came away seeing.
8 His neighbors and those who previously had seen him begging said, “Isn’t this the man who used to sit and beg?” 9 Some said, “Yes, he’s the one”; while others said, “No, but he looks like him.” However, he himself said, “I’m the one.” 10 “How were your eyes opened?” they asked him. 11 He answered, “The man called Yeshua made mud, put it on my eyes, and told me, ‘Go to Shiloach and wash!’ So I went; and as soon as I had washed, I could see.” 12 They said to him, “Where is he?” and he replied, “I don’t know.”
13 They took the man who had been blind to the P’rushim. 14 Now the day on which Yeshua had made the mud and opened his eyes was Shabbat. 15 So the P’rushim asked him again how he had become able to see; and he told them, “He put mud on my eyes, then I washed, and now I can see.” 16 At this, some of the P’rushim said, “This man is not from God, because he doesn’t keep Shabbat.” But others said, “How could a man who is a sinner do miracles like these?” And there was a split among them. 17 So once more they spoke to the blind man: “Since you’re the one whose eyes he opened, what do you say about him?” He replied: “He is a prophet.”
18 The Judeans, however, were unwilling to believe that he had formerly been blind, but now could see, until they had summoned the man’s parents. 19 They asked them, “Is this your son, who you say was born blind? How is it that now he can see?” 20 His parents answered, “We know that this is our son and that he was born blind; 21 but how it is that he can see now, we don’t know; nor do we know who opened his eyes. Ask him — he’s old enough, he can speak for himself!” 22 The parents said this because they were afraid of the Judeans, for the Judeans had already agreed that anyone who acknowledged Yeshua as the Messiah would be banned from the synagogue. 23 This is why his parents said, “He’s old enough, ask him.”
24 So a second time they called the man who had been blind; and they said to him, “Swear to God that you will tell the truth! We know that this man is a sinner.” 25 He answered, “Whether he’s a sinner or not I don’t know. One thing I do know: I was blind, now I see.” 26 So they said to him, “What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?” 27 “I already told you,” he answered, “and you didn’t listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Maybe you too want to become his talmidim?” 28 Then they railed at him. “You may be his talmid,” they said, “but we are talmidim of Moshe! 29 We know that God has spoken to Moshe, but as for this fellow — we don’t know where he’s from!” 30 “What a strange thing,” the man answered, “that you don’t know where he’s from — considering that he opened my eyes! 31 We know that God doesn’t listen to sinners; but if anyone fears God and does his will, God does listen to him. 32 In all history no one has ever heard of someone’s opening the eyes of a man born blind. 33 If this man were not from God, he couldn’t do a thing!” 34 “Why, you mamzer!” they retorted, “Are you lecturing us?” And they threw him out.
35 Yeshua heard that they had thrown the man out. He found him and said, “Do you trust in the Son of Man?” 36 “Sir,” he answered, “tell me who he is, so that I can trust in him.” 37 Yeshua said to him, “You have seen him. In fact, he’s the one speaking with you now.” 38 “Lord, I trust!” he said, and he kneeled down in front of him.
39 Yeshua said, “It is to judge that I came into this world, so that those who do not see might see, and those who do see might become blind.” 40 Some of the P’rushim nearby heard this and said to him, “So we’re blind too, are we?” 41 Yeshua answered them, “If you were blind, you would not be guilty of sin. But since you still say, ‘We see,’ your guilt remains.
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John Wesley's Notes-Commentary: 1 Samuel 16:1-13
(Read all of 1 Samuel 16)
Verse 1
[1] And the LORD said unto Samuel, How long wilt thou mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? fill thine horn with oil, and go, I will send thee to Jesse the Bethlehemite: for I have provided me a king among his sons.
Mourn — And pray for his restitution, which the following words imply he did.
Oil — Which was used in the inauguration of kings. But here it is used in the designation of a king; for David was not actually made king by it, but still remained a subject. And the reason of this anticipation was the comfort of Samuel, and other good men, against their fears in case of Saul's death, and the assurance of David's title, which otherwise would have been doubtful.
I have provided — This phrase is very emphatical, and implies the difference between this and the former king. Saul was a king of the people's providing, he was the product of their sinful desires: but this is a king of my own providing, to fulfil all my will, and to serve my glory.
Verse 4
[4] And Samuel did that which the LORD spake, and came to Bethlehem. And the elders of the town trembled at his coming, and said, Comest thou peaceably?
Trembled — Because it was strange and unexpected to them, this being but an obscure town, and remote from Samuel, and therefore they justly thought there was some extraordinary reason for it.
Peaceable — The Hebrew phrase, comest thou in peace, is as much as to say (in our phrase) is all well?
Verse 5
[5] And he said, Peaceably: I am come to sacrifice unto the LORD: sanctify yourselves, and come with me to the sacrifice. And he sanctified Jesse and his sons, and called them to the sacrifice.
He sanctified — It seems evident that there was something peculiar in Jesse's invitation. For first, both he and his sons were invited, whereas the others were only invited for their own persons. Secondly, the different phrase here used, that he sanctified these, when he only bade the other sanctify themselves; argues a singular care of Samuel in their sanctification. Which makes it probable, that the rest were only to join with them in the act of sacrificing; but these, and only these, were invited to feast upon the remainders of the sacrifices.
Verse 6
[6] And it came to pass, when they were come, that he looked on Eliab, and said, Surely the LORD's anointed is before him.
Before him — That is, in this place where God is now present. For it is observable, that not only the sacrifice is said to be offered, but even the feast upon the remainders of it is said, to be eaten before the Lord, Deuteronomy 12:7, that is, before or near his altar, where God was present in a special manner. This I take to be the person I am sent to anoint: wherein yet be was mistaken, as other prophets sometimes were, when they hastily spake their own thoughts, before they had consulted God.
Verse 10
[10] Again, Jesse made seven of his sons to pass before Samuel. And Samuel said unto Jesse, The LORD hath not chosen these.
Seven — There are but seven named, 1 Chronicles 2:13-15, because one of them was either born of a concubine: or, died immediately after this time.
Verse 11
[11] And Samuel said unto Jesse, Are here all thy children? And he said, There remaineth yet the youngest, and, behold, he keepeth the sheep. And Samuel said unto Jesse, Send and fetch him: for we will not sit down till he come hither.
Keepeth sheep — And consequently is the most unfit of all my sons for that high employment. Either therefore he did not understand David's wisdom and valour, or he judged him unfit, by reason of his mean education. And God so ordered it by his providence, that David's choice might plainly appear to be God's work, and not Samuel's, or Jesse's. David signifies beloved: a fit name for so eminent a type of the Beloved Son. It is supposed, David was now about twenty years old. If so, his troubles by Saul lasted near ten years: for he was thirty years old when Saul died. Samuel having done this went to Ramah. He retired to die in peace, since his eyes had seen the salvation, even the sceptre brought into the tribe of Judah.
Verse 13
[13] Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah.
Anointed him — David's brethren saw David's unction, yet did not understand, that he was anointed to the kingdom; but were only told by Samuel, that he was anointed to some great service, which hereafter they should know. Thus Jesse only, and David, understood the whole business, and his brethren were able to attest to that act of Samuel's anointing him, which, with other collateral evidences, was abundantly sufficient to prove David's right to the kingdom, if need should be.
The spirit, etc., — That is, he was immediately endowed with extraordinary gifts of God's Spirit, as strength, and courage, and wisdom, and other excellent qualities which fitted him for, and put him upon noble attempts.
[8] For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:
Ye were once darkness — Total blindness and ignorance.
Walk as children of light — Suitably to your present knowledge.
Verse 9
[9] (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)
The fruit of the light — Opposite to " the unfruitful works of darkness," Ephesians 4:11.
Is in — That is, consists in.
Goodness and righteousness and truth — Opposite to the sins spoken of, Ephesians 4:25,etc.
Verse 11
[11] And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.
Reprove them — To avoid them is not enough.
Verse 12
[12] For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.
In secret — As flying the light.
Verse 13
[13] But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light.
But all things which are reproved, are thereby dragged out into the light, and made manifest - Shown in their proper colours, by the light. For whatsoever doth make manifest is light - That is, for nothing but light, yea, light from heaven, can make anything manifest.
Verse 14
[14] Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.
Wherefore he — God.
Saith — In the general tenor of his word, to all who are still in darkness.
Awake thou that steepest — In ignorance of God and thyself; in stupid insensibility.
And arise from the dead — From the death of sin.
And Christ shall give thee light — Knowledge, holiness, happiness.
Verse 3
[3] Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.
Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents — It was not the manner of our Lord to answer any questions that were of no use, but to gratify an idle curiosity. Therefore he determines nothing concerning this. The scope of his answer is, It was neither for any sins of his own, nor yet of his parents; but that the power of God might be displayed.
Verse 4
[4] I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.
The night is coming — Christ is the light. When the light is withdrawn night comes, when no man can work - No man can do any thing toward working out his salvation after this life is ended. Yet Christ can work always. But he was not to work upon earth, only during the day, or season which was appointed for him.
Verse 5
[5] As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.
I am the light of the world — I teach men inwardly by my Spirit, and outwardly by my preaching, what is the will of God; and I show them, by my example, how they must do it.
Verse 6
[6] When he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and he anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay,
He anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay — This might almost have blinded a man that had sight. But what could it do toward curing the blind? It reminds us that God is no farther from the event, when he works either with, or without means, and that all the creatures are only that which his almighty operation makes them.
Verse 7
[7] And said unto him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam, (which is by interpretation, Sent.) He went his way therefore, and washed, and came seeing.
Go, wash at the pool of Siloam — Perhaps our Lord intended to make the miracle more taken notice of. For a crowd of people would naturally gather round him to observe the event of so strange a prescription, and it is exceeding probable, the guide who must have led him in traversing a great part of the city, would mention the errand he was going upon, and so call all those who saw him to a greater attention. From the fountain of Siloam, which was without the walls of Jerusalem, a little stream flowed into the city, and was received in a kind of basin, near the temple, and called the pool of Siloam.
Which is, by interpretation, Sent — And so was a type of the Messiah, who was sent of God.
He went and washed, and came seeing — He believed, and obeyed, and found a blessing. Had he been wise in his own eyes, and reasoned, like Naaman, on the impropriety of the means, he had justly been left in darkness. Lord, may our proud hearts be subdued to the methods of thy recovering grace! May we leave thee to choose how thou wilt bestow favours, which it is our highest interest to receive on any terms.
Verse 11
[11] He answered and said, A man that is called Jesus made clay, and anointed mine eyes, and said unto me, Go to the pool of Siloam, and wash: and I went and washed, and I received sight.
A man called Jesus — He seems to have been before totally ignorant of him.
Verse 14
[14] And it was the sabbath day when Jesus made the clay, and opened his eyes.
Anointing the eyes — With any kind of medicine on the Sabbath, was particularly forbidden by the tradition of the elders.
Verse 16
[16] Therefore said some of the Pharisees, This man is not of God, because he keepeth not the sabbath day. Others said, How can a man that is a sinner do such miracles? And there was a division among them.
This man is not of God — Not sent of God.
How can a man that is a sinner — That is, one living in wilful sin, do such miracles?
Verse 17
[17] They say unto the blind man again, What sayest thou of him, that he hath opened thine eyes? He said, He is a prophet.
What sayest thou of him, for that he hath opened thine eyes? — What inference dost thou draw herefrom?
Verse 22
[22] These words spake his parents, because they feared the Jews: for the Jews had agreed already, that if any man did confess that he was Christ, he should be put out of the synagogue.
He should be put out of the synagogue — That is be excommunicated.
Verse 27
[27] He answered them, I have told you already, and ye did not hear: wherefore would ye hear it again? will ye also be his disciples?
Are ye also — As well as I, at length convinced and willing to be his disciples?
Verse 29
[29] We know that God spake unto Moses: as for this fellow, we know not from whence he is.
We know not whence he is — By what power and authority he does these things.
Verse 30
[30] The man answered and said unto them, Why herein is a marvellous thing, that ye know not from whence he is, and yet he hath opened mine eyes.
The man answered — Utterly illiterate as he was. And with what strength and clearness of reason! So had God opened the eyes of his understanding, as well as his bodily eyes.
Why, herein is a marvellous thing, that ye — The teachers and guides of the people, should not know, that a man who has wrought a miracle, the like of which was never heard of before, must be from heaven, sent by God.
Verse 31
[31] Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth.
We — Even we of the populace, know that God heareth not sinners - Not impenitent sinners, so as to answer their prayers in this manner. The honest courage of this man in adhering to the truth, though he knew the consequence, John 9:22, gives him claim to the title of a confessor.
Verse 33
[33] If this man were not of God, he could do nothing.
He could do nothing — Of this kind; nothing miraculous.
Verse 34
[34] They answered and said unto him, Thou wast altogether born in sins, and dost thou teach us? And they cast him out.
Born in sin — And therefore, they supposed, born blind.
They cast him out — Of the synagogue; excommunicated him.
Verse 35
[35] Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when he had found him, he said unto him, Dost thou believe on the Son of God?
Having found him — For he had sought him.
Verse 36
[36] He answered and said, Who is he, Lord, that I might believe on him?
Who is he, that I may believe? — This implies some degree of faith already. He was ready to receive whatever Jesus said.
Verse 37
[37] And Jesus said unto him, Thou hast both seen him, and it is he that talketh with thee.
Lord, I believe — What an excellent spirit was this man of! Of so deep and strong an understanding; (as he had just shown to the confusion of the Pharisees,) and yet of so teachable a temper!
Verse 39
[39] And Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind.
For judgment am I come into the world — That is, the consequence of my coming will be, that by the just judgment of God, while the blind in body and soul receive their sight, they who boast they see, will be given up to still greater blindness than before.
Verse 41
[41] Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth.
If ye had been blind — Invincibly ignorant; if ye had not had so many means of knowing: ye would have had no sin - Comparatively to what ye have now.
But now ye say — Ye yourselves acknowledge, Ye see, therefore your sin remaineth - Without excuse, without remedy.
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The Upper Room Ministries ®. Copyright © 2017
(Read all of 1 Samuel 16)
Verse 1
[1] And the LORD said unto Samuel, How long wilt thou mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? fill thine horn with oil, and go, I will send thee to Jesse the Bethlehemite: for I have provided me a king among his sons.
Mourn — And pray for his restitution, which the following words imply he did.
Oil — Which was used in the inauguration of kings. But here it is used in the designation of a king; for David was not actually made king by it, but still remained a subject. And the reason of this anticipation was the comfort of Samuel, and other good men, against their fears in case of Saul's death, and the assurance of David's title, which otherwise would have been doubtful.
I have provided — This phrase is very emphatical, and implies the difference between this and the former king. Saul was a king of the people's providing, he was the product of their sinful desires: but this is a king of my own providing, to fulfil all my will, and to serve my glory.
Verse 4
[4] And Samuel did that which the LORD spake, and came to Bethlehem. And the elders of the town trembled at his coming, and said, Comest thou peaceably?
Trembled — Because it was strange and unexpected to them, this being but an obscure town, and remote from Samuel, and therefore they justly thought there was some extraordinary reason for it.
Peaceable — The Hebrew phrase, comest thou in peace, is as much as to say (in our phrase) is all well?
Verse 5
[5] And he said, Peaceably: I am come to sacrifice unto the LORD: sanctify yourselves, and come with me to the sacrifice. And he sanctified Jesse and his sons, and called them to the sacrifice.
He sanctified — It seems evident that there was something peculiar in Jesse's invitation. For first, both he and his sons were invited, whereas the others were only invited for their own persons. Secondly, the different phrase here used, that he sanctified these, when he only bade the other sanctify themselves; argues a singular care of Samuel in their sanctification. Which makes it probable, that the rest were only to join with them in the act of sacrificing; but these, and only these, were invited to feast upon the remainders of the sacrifices.
Verse 6
[6] And it came to pass, when they were come, that he looked on Eliab, and said, Surely the LORD's anointed is before him.
Before him — That is, in this place where God is now present. For it is observable, that not only the sacrifice is said to be offered, but even the feast upon the remainders of it is said, to be eaten before the Lord, Deuteronomy 12:7, that is, before or near his altar, where God was present in a special manner. This I take to be the person I am sent to anoint: wherein yet be was mistaken, as other prophets sometimes were, when they hastily spake their own thoughts, before they had consulted God.
Verse 10
[10] Again, Jesse made seven of his sons to pass before Samuel. And Samuel said unto Jesse, The LORD hath not chosen these.
Seven — There are but seven named, 1 Chronicles 2:13-15, because one of them was either born of a concubine: or, died immediately after this time.
Verse 11
[11] And Samuel said unto Jesse, Are here all thy children? And he said, There remaineth yet the youngest, and, behold, he keepeth the sheep. And Samuel said unto Jesse, Send and fetch him: for we will not sit down till he come hither.
Keepeth sheep — And consequently is the most unfit of all my sons for that high employment. Either therefore he did not understand David's wisdom and valour, or he judged him unfit, by reason of his mean education. And God so ordered it by his providence, that David's choice might plainly appear to be God's work, and not Samuel's, or Jesse's. David signifies beloved: a fit name for so eminent a type of the Beloved Son. It is supposed, David was now about twenty years old. If so, his troubles by Saul lasted near ten years: for he was thirty years old when Saul died. Samuel having done this went to Ramah. He retired to die in peace, since his eyes had seen the salvation, even the sceptre brought into the tribe of Judah.
Verse 13
[13] Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah.
Anointed him — David's brethren saw David's unction, yet did not understand, that he was anointed to the kingdom; but were only told by Samuel, that he was anointed to some great service, which hereafter they should know. Thus Jesse only, and David, understood the whole business, and his brethren were able to attest to that act of Samuel's anointing him, which, with other collateral evidences, was abundantly sufficient to prove David's right to the kingdom, if need should be.
The spirit, etc., — That is, he was immediately endowed with extraordinary gifts of God's Spirit, as strength, and courage, and wisdom, and other excellent qualities which fitted him for, and put him upon noble attempts.
Psalm 23
(Read all of Psalm 23)
Verse 2
[2] He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
Lie down — To repose myself at noon, as the manner was in those hot countries.
Green — Where there is both delight and plenty of provisions.
Verse 3
[3] He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
Restoreth — Heb. He bringeth it back; from its errors and wandering.
For — Not for any worth in me, but for the glory of his justice, and faithfulness, and goodness.
Verse 4
[4] Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Thy rod and thy staff — Two words denoting the same thing, and both designing God's pastoral care over him.
Verse 5
[5] Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
A table — Thou furnishest me with plenty of provisions and comforts.
Oil — With aromatic ointments, which were then used at great feasts; thy comforts delight my soul.
Runneth over — Thou hast given me a plentiful portions, signified by the cup, given to the guests by the master of the feast.
(Read all of Psalm 23)
Verse 2
[2] He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
Lie down — To repose myself at noon, as the manner was in those hot countries.
Green — Where there is both delight and plenty of provisions.
Verse 3
[3] He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
Restoreth — Heb. He bringeth it back; from its errors and wandering.
For — Not for any worth in me, but for the glory of his justice, and faithfulness, and goodness.
Verse 4
[4] Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Thy rod and thy staff — Two words denoting the same thing, and both designing God's pastoral care over him.
Verse 5
[5] Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
A table — Thou furnishest me with plenty of provisions and comforts.
Oil — With aromatic ointments, which were then used at great feasts; thy comforts delight my soul.
Runneth over — Thou hast given me a plentiful portions, signified by the cup, given to the guests by the master of the feast.
Ephesians 5:8-14
Verse 8[8] For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:
Ye were once darkness — Total blindness and ignorance.
Walk as children of light — Suitably to your present knowledge.
Verse 9
[9] (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)
The fruit of the light — Opposite to " the unfruitful works of darkness," Ephesians 4:11.
Is in — That is, consists in.
Goodness and righteousness and truth — Opposite to the sins spoken of, Ephesians 4:25,etc.
Verse 11
[11] And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.
Reprove them — To avoid them is not enough.
Verse 12
[12] For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.
In secret — As flying the light.
Verse 13
[13] But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light.
But all things which are reproved, are thereby dragged out into the light, and made manifest - Shown in their proper colours, by the light. For whatsoever doth make manifest is light - That is, for nothing but light, yea, light from heaven, can make anything manifest.
Verse 14
[14] Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.
Wherefore he — God.
Saith — In the general tenor of his word, to all who are still in darkness.
Awake thou that steepest — In ignorance of God and thyself; in stupid insensibility.
And arise from the dead — From the death of sin.
And Christ shall give thee light — Knowledge, holiness, happiness.
John 9:1-41
(Read all of John 9)Verse 3
[3] Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.
Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents — It was not the manner of our Lord to answer any questions that were of no use, but to gratify an idle curiosity. Therefore he determines nothing concerning this. The scope of his answer is, It was neither for any sins of his own, nor yet of his parents; but that the power of God might be displayed.
Verse 4
[4] I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.
The night is coming — Christ is the light. When the light is withdrawn night comes, when no man can work - No man can do any thing toward working out his salvation after this life is ended. Yet Christ can work always. But he was not to work upon earth, only during the day, or season which was appointed for him.
Verse 5
[5] As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.
I am the light of the world — I teach men inwardly by my Spirit, and outwardly by my preaching, what is the will of God; and I show them, by my example, how they must do it.
Verse 6
[6] When he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and he anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay,
He anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay — This might almost have blinded a man that had sight. But what could it do toward curing the blind? It reminds us that God is no farther from the event, when he works either with, or without means, and that all the creatures are only that which his almighty operation makes them.
Verse 7
[7] And said unto him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam, (which is by interpretation, Sent.) He went his way therefore, and washed, and came seeing.
Go, wash at the pool of Siloam — Perhaps our Lord intended to make the miracle more taken notice of. For a crowd of people would naturally gather round him to observe the event of so strange a prescription, and it is exceeding probable, the guide who must have led him in traversing a great part of the city, would mention the errand he was going upon, and so call all those who saw him to a greater attention. From the fountain of Siloam, which was without the walls of Jerusalem, a little stream flowed into the city, and was received in a kind of basin, near the temple, and called the pool of Siloam.
Which is, by interpretation, Sent — And so was a type of the Messiah, who was sent of God.
He went and washed, and came seeing — He believed, and obeyed, and found a blessing. Had he been wise in his own eyes, and reasoned, like Naaman, on the impropriety of the means, he had justly been left in darkness. Lord, may our proud hearts be subdued to the methods of thy recovering grace! May we leave thee to choose how thou wilt bestow favours, which it is our highest interest to receive on any terms.
Verse 11
[11] He answered and said, A man that is called Jesus made clay, and anointed mine eyes, and said unto me, Go to the pool of Siloam, and wash: and I went and washed, and I received sight.
A man called Jesus — He seems to have been before totally ignorant of him.
Verse 14
[14] And it was the sabbath day when Jesus made the clay, and opened his eyes.
Anointing the eyes — With any kind of medicine on the Sabbath, was particularly forbidden by the tradition of the elders.
Verse 16
[16] Therefore said some of the Pharisees, This man is not of God, because he keepeth not the sabbath day. Others said, How can a man that is a sinner do such miracles? And there was a division among them.
This man is not of God — Not sent of God.
How can a man that is a sinner — That is, one living in wilful sin, do such miracles?
Verse 17
[17] They say unto the blind man again, What sayest thou of him, that he hath opened thine eyes? He said, He is a prophet.
What sayest thou of him, for that he hath opened thine eyes? — What inference dost thou draw herefrom?
Verse 22
[22] These words spake his parents, because they feared the Jews: for the Jews had agreed already, that if any man did confess that he was Christ, he should be put out of the synagogue.
He should be put out of the synagogue — That is be excommunicated.
Verse 27
[27] He answered them, I have told you already, and ye did not hear: wherefore would ye hear it again? will ye also be his disciples?
Are ye also — As well as I, at length convinced and willing to be his disciples?
Verse 29
[29] We know that God spake unto Moses: as for this fellow, we know not from whence he is.
We know not whence he is — By what power and authority he does these things.
Verse 30
[30] The man answered and said unto them, Why herein is a marvellous thing, that ye know not from whence he is, and yet he hath opened mine eyes.
The man answered — Utterly illiterate as he was. And with what strength and clearness of reason! So had God opened the eyes of his understanding, as well as his bodily eyes.
Why, herein is a marvellous thing, that ye — The teachers and guides of the people, should not know, that a man who has wrought a miracle, the like of which was never heard of before, must be from heaven, sent by God.
Verse 31
[31] Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth.
We — Even we of the populace, know that God heareth not sinners - Not impenitent sinners, so as to answer their prayers in this manner. The honest courage of this man in adhering to the truth, though he knew the consequence, John 9:22, gives him claim to the title of a confessor.
Verse 33
[33] If this man were not of God, he could do nothing.
He could do nothing — Of this kind; nothing miraculous.
Verse 34
[34] They answered and said unto him, Thou wast altogether born in sins, and dost thou teach us? And they cast him out.
Born in sin — And therefore, they supposed, born blind.
They cast him out — Of the synagogue; excommunicated him.
Verse 35
[35] Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when he had found him, he said unto him, Dost thou believe on the Son of God?
Having found him — For he had sought him.
Verse 36
[36] He answered and said, Who is he, Lord, that I might believe on him?
Who is he, that I may believe? — This implies some degree of faith already. He was ready to receive whatever Jesus said.
Verse 37
[37] And Jesus said unto him, Thou hast both seen him, and it is he that talketh with thee.
Lord, I believe — What an excellent spirit was this man of! Of so deep and strong an understanding; (as he had just shown to the confusion of the Pharisees,) and yet of so teachable a temper!
Verse 39
[39] And Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind.
For judgment am I come into the world — That is, the consequence of my coming will be, that by the just judgment of God, while the blind in body and soul receive their sight, they who boast they see, will be given up to still greater blindness than before.
Verse 41
[41] Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth.
If ye had been blind — Invincibly ignorant; if ye had not had so many means of knowing: ye would have had no sin - Comparatively to what ye have now.
But now ye say — Ye yourselves acknowledge, Ye see, therefore your sin remaineth - Without excuse, without remedy.
The Upper Room Ministries ®. Copyright © 2017
PO Box 340004
Nashville, Tennessee 37203-0004, United States
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