Mahalia Jackson sings “What a Friend We Have in Jesus”

What a Friend We Have In Jesus!

 

What a friend we have in Jesus! We are told that Jesus is: “Holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners and made higher than the heavens.” (Hebrews 7:26)
The healing of the blind man in the book of John is an example of the holiness, harmlessness and undefiled nature of Jesus. We who deal so harshly with our fellow men and women, sometimes doing so in the name of Jesus, should take note.

John 9: 1-12 (NIV)

Jesus Heals a Man Born Blind

1 As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. 2 His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”
3 “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him. 4 As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. 5 While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”
6 After saying this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man’s eyes. 7 “Go,” he told him, “wash in the Pool of Siloam” (this word means “Sent”). So the man went and washed, and came home seeing.
8 His neighbors and those who had formerly seen him begging asked, “Isn’t this the same man who used to sit and beg?” 9 Some claimed that he was.
Others said, “No, he only looks like him.”
But he himself insisted, “I am the man.”
10 “How then were your eyes opened?” they asked.
11 He replied, “The man they call Jesus made some mud and put it on my eyes. He told me to go to Siloam and wash. So I went and washed, and then I could see.”
12 “Where is this man?” they asked him.
“I don’t know,” he said.

The people marveled at this event. The religious men heard about it, and brought in the man’s parents to inquire. The parents were afraid because the pharisees had made it known that supporters of Jesus would be cast out of the synagogue. The parents then said that they should inquire of their son. When the blind man was brought in and testified as to what happened, he was reviled, and cast out of the synagogue. Then something wonderful happens. Jesus heard about what had happened to the man he healed, and went looking for him:

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? 36 He answered and said, Who is he, Lord, that I might believe on him? 37 And Jesus said unto him, Thou hast both seen him, and it is he that talketh with thee. 38 And he said, Lord, I believe. And he worshipped him.
John 9:35-38 (KJV)

With great gentleness, grace and mercy, the Savior asks the man: Dost thou believe on the Son of God? The man who had been healed is receptive and asks further instruction that he might know who the Son of God is. I can almost hear the wonderful, inviting voice of the Lord as He said to the man: Thou hast both seen him, and it is he that talketh with thee. Seed had been planted on good soil, and the man worshipped Jesus.

We see what great peace, understanding and willingness the man who was born blind had. We see his gratitude, humility and appreciation for the magnitude of the gift he had been given. He was not consumed with anger, and he did not seek retribution for having been unjustly excommunicated. The Savior also had no need to try and stoke the man’s awareness that he had been slighted in order to make Himself look great. No, His power and mercy were already evident. Jesus, the King of kings and Lord of lords had no need to kindle the fire of insurrection in the hearts of rebellious men. His adornment, His grace, His honor and power and majesty were not of this world and could not be bestowed upon Him by this world.

How different is the approach of Jesus, from the approach of man! How full of kindness and mercy! How gentle and how meek, yet powerful is His presence and touch. Would that I could bask in this knowledge for every waking and sleeping moment. Indeed, “in His presence is fullness of joy.” May we all, like the blind man, embrace the knowledge of the Savior of mankind, and rejoice at the marvelous vision He has given us.

 

Reflection:

Having learned of the story of the blind man who was made to see by Jesus, what then is my prayer? My prayer is this: Heavenly Father, forgive me for my blindness, for many are the days and ways I have been blinded by sin. Thou hast opened my eyes, open Thou the eyes, O Lord of those whose remain blind. May all men, women and children see, adore and worship Jesus. Help me everyday to worship you Father, in spirit and in truth. By the power of the Holy Spirit, grant me the strength to worship you in all circumstances. In Jesus’ matchless name I pray and say, Amen, and Amen, and Amen.

 

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Video of Mahalia Jackson singing “What a Friend We Have in Jesus” was uploaded and posted on Youtube.com by buterfriedegg on May 4, 2007