Christ is our Hope and Salvation forever

There was once a well-known, poor blind man in the community. He was stationed in the same area daily, begging. People assumed he was born blind as a result of his parents' sins. However, the man was born to serve a divine purpose. This is a true, beautiful biblical narrative about a blind man who gains his sight and sees God at first sight on the Holy Sabbath day - what a beautiful way to experience the Holy Sabbath day with healing and sight. (John 9)

Christ heals the blind man on the Sabbath day

God established the Sabbath day out of pure love in order to offer people rest. However, in ancient biblical times, religious rulers known as the pharisees perverted the Sabbath day by declaring it a "criminal offense" to undertake labor of any kind on the Sabbath day, some of which included helping the needy; hence, the law no longer represented and revealed God's compassion, mercy, and grace toward man as it became a burden and punishable.

During Jesus ministry on earth, He did not always adhere to the pharisees religious laws. Jesus' love for people was outrageous; the pharisees 'legalities' of the Sabbath day did not hold Jesus back from doing God's work.

Jesus defied the pharisees corrupt laws and healed the blind man. He not only restored his sight and gave him faith and hope, but he also revealed that disease is not necessarily the result of sin, as people in that century assumed. John 9:1-12). - (in our century people still think this way too)

Christ said that the Sabbath was created for man, meaning all people, including those in need, it was not intended to be a harsh law. (Mark 2:27).

The Sabbath must be devoted to God, not to ourselves, thus religious restrictions shouldn't hinder us from doing acts of love (Isaiah 58:13-14).

Christ did not come to abolish God's law, instead He came to fulfil it and rectify it. (Matthew 5:17)

Jesus changed the course of history

During Jesus's ministry "law" and "religious legalities" overpowered people. Faith, hope, forgiveness and mercy was almost nonexistent. Sinners were stoned to death without a chance. Jesus Christ came down to the earth and revealed that the pharisees corrupted God's laws. He exposed the fact that the pharisees were self-righteous hypocrites. Jesus Christ overthrew the 'corrupted' legalistic versions of the law, and began transforming lives with God's Love, Faith, Hope and Forgiveness, all of which was new to the people in that era.

Today we are saved from that 'legalism' or legalistic religious way of living

Thanks to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, today in this century, the love of God, faith, and hope are alive. His mercies are new every morning. He is a loving and forgiving God, and this was revealed through Christ.

It could only be God who sent His only son, Jesus Christ, over 2000 years ago to teach us the way and the truth of life. Jesus has revealed the power and love of God by giving us forgiveness, hope, love, mercy, and faith. (John 3:16).

Jesus opened a pathway for us that is readily accessible. Thanks to Jesus, now we know that we can use our faith instead of law-driven religious acts. With this knowledge, we can now pray in faith instead of struggling hopelessly. All we need to do is believe. Believe in the way we act, speak, and live. With God, all things are possible!

Thank you for taking the time to read. I pray God’s love, mercy and favour shines upon you. Amen!

Natlie Loots