Blind Man Receives Sight

April 29, 2012 Background Scripture: John 9 Lesson Passage: John 9:1 – 17 The Gospel of John gives many details surrounding the incident of Jesus healing a blind man and his subsequent excommunication from the synagogue by the religious leaders. According to John’s account, as Jesus was passing by he observed the blind man. It is worth noting that all of us start out in the same predicament as this man. Jesus looked upon a man who could not see him. Likewise, Jesus was watching us although we were spiritually blind and could not see him. Whereas Jesus looked upon the man with pity, Jesus’ disciples blamed the sinful actions of either the man or his parents for the situation he was in. Again, people often give us too much credit for being able to completely control our own circumstances. We cause plenty of trouble for ourselves but some situations are set-ups for the glory of God to be openly displayed in our lives and for the benefit of others. Jesus explained this to his disciples and then he healed the man. When those who had previously known him saw him, they debated as to whether this was indeed the same person. Some were only persuaded after the man testified for himself that he was the one who was previously a blind beggar. Some of those who marveled at the change in the man’s condition took him to the Pharisees. It seems as though the Pharisees and Sadducees were often challenged to prove the validity of their doctrine against that of Jesus who they constantly criticized. Yet the people could readily see that Jesus supplemented his teaching with action. Rather than trying to learn more about Jesus, the religious leaders erred by continuously looking for ways to condemn him. They could not accept that this man, Jesus, who had not been taught by them, could do such things. They went about their customary evidence gathering activities of interviewing all involved so that they could point out the error of the people in following one such as Jesus. Fear fell upon those who suddenly found themselves in the Pharisees’ crosshairs. Unfortunately, fear prevents many of us from celebrating God’s work in this world. So rather than testify to what we know, many seek to deflect the attention away from themselves to others. The man’s parents were afraid because the Pharisees had made it known to the people that they would excommunicate from the synagogue anyone who believed in and followed Jesus. The cured man was still relishing God’s work and did not mind giving his testimony. (A testimony is better than an opinion because it is based on facts whether others choose to accept it or not.) The Pharisees excommunicated the man from the synagogue because of his testimony which he refused to change to suit them. Even here we see that others will sometimes be offended (convicted) by our testimony. However, after they kicked him out, Jesus came to him again and fully accepted him. This is wonderful news to anyone who has ever been concerned about sharing a personal testimony about what God has done in their life. Even though others may reject you, Jesus still reaches out and pulls us closer to him. Whereas the Pharisees persisted in their spiritual blindness in not accepting Jesus, the cured man readily accepted Jesus and received both physical sight and spiritual insight. Robert C. Hudson April 20, 2012