Nougat 14

I’m a dedicated sleep lover. This has been my stance for years, but there’s something these days about sleeping in that pulls at me when I ought to be rising for work. Oh yes, that’s when my love of sleep kicks in, and, some days, despite my age, it is a struggle. In general, however, I’ll remember that I need to be at work, and adrenaline kicks in, just in time. Sounds familiar?

Well, if it doesn’t, it is a reality for some of us. Yes , the struggle is real. Moreover, it often puts Today’s Holy Nougat in perspective.

John 9:4-5 ASV

[4] We must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.

[5] When I am in the world, I am the light of the world.

Work While there’s Time

It was another phenomenal day in the earthly life of Y’shua, aka Jesus. He and His disciples were simply walking in the road when they noticed the familiar blind man. No, according to John, this wasn’t ‘Blind Bartimaeus’, rather, this was just a man who was sightless at birth. As they were wont to from time to time, the disciples asked Him a question.

Some would say it was a foolish question, but I find the root of their question very reasonable, it’s a refrain many of us. In those days it was assumed that retribution for parental sin was passed on to children as disabilities (perhaps due to interpretation of scripture such as parents eating sour grapes, and sins passing to 3rd and 4th generation). For, the real issue at hand was, ‘why do bad things happen to innocent (i.e., good) people?’ I suspect you’ve been down that road before.

Y’shua’s response was astounding (as usual). He indicated that the case of the sightless male was for the revelation of God’s glory. He then continued with our Nougat, ‘work while the ‘Light’ is here, for there will be a season when it’s not possible. Y’shua punctuated His statement by healing the man.

On one level, I easily relate to Y’shua’s admonition. For, even as a dedicated morning-sleep lover, I can appreciate the need to earn – and, except on vacation – earning power usually trumps sleep. So, working in the day (the common transliteration of Y’shua’s words) makes sense. But, placed in the perspective of Him as the Light, it gets a bit murky. Almost as unclear as hereditary retribution. For many of us would argue that the disciples were apprentices at the time, and Y’shua would soon be gone.

Unless the statement was self-directed. Thus, it would be incumbent on Y’shua to heal the man, revealing God’s glory. Of course, this miracle would incite the Pharisees because the man was healed was on the Sabbath. Y’shua’s response suggests that He was prepared to face the consequences of ‘healing on the Sabbath’, because He was doing the will of God.

Siblings, Y’shua did the analysis. He was aware of the opportunity cost, both literally and spiritually. Hence His comment, ‘I am the Light of this world. ‘ Y’shua was prepared to be punished for doing ‘the works of Him who sent’ Him, than passing the gatekeepers of the Law.

Therein lies the message for us. We must understand where our loyalties, and by extension, our priorities lie. Sometimes, it goes against the grain of the status quo. Ask Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. They understood that and proved God time and time again.

I close with two questions

Do we calculate the cost when we follow Y’shua?

Whose glory do we seek to have revealed through our lives?

Selah

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May all we seek be found in Christ