January 31, 2023: Philippians 2:14-15 - Let Not Our Disputing Overshadow Our Light

“Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world.” - Philippians 2:14-15

Jesus and His disciples came upon a man who was blind from birth. Jesus’ disciples asked Him whether the man or his parents had sinned, causing the man to be blind. Jesus replied, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him. I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” Jesus then spat on the ground, made clay with the saliva, and anointed the eyes of the blind man, and then told him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam.” The Bible tells us that “Siloam” means “Sent.” The man did as Jesus told him to do, and his eyes were opened, he could see! Those who knew the man and that he had been blind asked him who had done this thing for him, and he told them, “A Man called Jesus.” They wanted to know where this Man was, and they brought the healed man to the Jewish religious leaders, the Pharisees. Instead of being amazed by the miracle that Jesus had performed, they were appalled that Jesus had done this on the Sabbath, saying, “This Man is not from God, because He does not keep the Sabbath.” Others said, “How can a man who is a sinner do such signs?” and the Bible tells us, “there was division among them.” The Pharisees questioned the healed man and his parents several times, asking them about the Man - Jesus - who had healed him, and they did not believe the man’s account. The Pharisees cast the man out (excommunicated him) from the temple. (John 9:1-34)

God the Father sent Jesus to the world to shine His light in the darkness, doing the Father’s good works while He walked the earth, so that the eyes of the blind, those in spiritual darkness, could be opened that we all could see that we need the Savior, Jesus the Christ, to redeem us of our sins. When Jesus found out that the man had been cast out by the Pharisees, Jesus went to him and found him. As the Bible tells us in John 9:35-41:

“He said to him, ‘Do you believe in the Son of God?’ He answered and said, ‘Who is He, Lord, that I may believe in Him?’ And Jesus said to him, “You have both seen Him and it is He who is talking with you.’ Then he said, “Lord, I believe!’ And he worshipped Him. And Jesus said, ‘For judgment I have come into this world, that those who do not see may see, and that those who see may be made blind.’ Then some of the Pharisees who were with Him heard these words, and said to Him, ‘Are we blind also?’ Jesus said to them, ‘If you were blind, you would have no sin; but now you say, ‘We see.’ Therefore your sin remains.’”

The Pharisees chose to remain in spiritual darkness, refusing to believe in the miracle that Jesus had performed and that He had done it as a work of God the Father who sent Him. Though they could see with their eyes, they could not see their own sin, thus they remained in in it.

At another time, Jesus told His disciples, “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lamp stand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14) May we not grumble and argue amongst ourselves, being filled with pride and ignoring the miracles that are happening right before our eyes when people turn to Jesus Christ and their eyes are opened for the first time to the truth of God. Are we shining Jesus’ light or are we blending in with the darkness? Can people feel the warmth of the light from us or the cold of the darkness? Do our disputes on Twitter and other forms of social media or in our conversations with unbelievers reflect Him or do they reflect the Pharisees within us? I must admit, I am guilty of having an attitude of the Pharisees, and this has been a convicting and eye-opening devotional for myself.

May I remember Jesus’ words when He was at the temple teaching the people, when the Pharisees brought to Him a woman who was caught in adultery. They wanted to know what Jesus thought her punishment should be - should she be stoned, per Jewish law. Before He answered them, Jesus stooped down and wrote something on the ground. They asked Him again, and then Jesus replied to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.” Then Jesus stooped down again and wrote something else on the ground. One by one, the woman’s accusers left, with no one casting a stone at her. Jesus then asked her where her accusers were and had any condemned her, and she answered that no one had condemned her. Jesus replied, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.” The Bible tells us, “Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, ‘I am the light of the world. He who follows me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.’” (John 8:1-12)

Heavenly Father, as Paul wrote, please help me to do all things without complaining and disputing, so that I may become blameless and harmless, Your child, without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, and with my brothers and sisters in Christ, may I shine as a light in the world. In Jesus’ holy and precious name I pray. Amen. ✝️