“‘Is this your son?’ they asked. ‘Is this the one you say was born blind? How is it that now he can see?’ ‘We know he is our son,’ the parents answered, ‘and we know he was born blind. But how he can see now, or who opened his eyes, we don’t know’” (John 9:19-21a).

How could such wonderful news bring about such suspicion? Why weren’t people celebrating? An awesome breakthrough had just happened. Why weren’t these people praising God for the breakthrough?

I remember years ago someone began attending our church from another church in the area. He reported that people in his previous church were complaining about New Hope. “Any church that grows that fast has got to be doing something wrong. Good churches just don’t grow like that!” they were saying. Other churches were suspicious of our growth and the excitement within. Other pastors were also saying negative things about our church and kept the pot stirred.

Perhaps there is more than one way to do something. And if the old way doesn’t work anymore, perhaps we should try something different. The Jews were critical of this new result that made them look inept. But who was rejoicing that someone was healed? Jesus said, “Do not forbid him, for he who is not against us is on our side” (Luke 9:50). In this dark world, let’s rejoice in any spiritual breakthrough, regardless of the source.