“The Jews still did not believe that he had been blind and had received his sight until they sent for the man’s parents” (John 9:18). This whole thing seems like a bit of overkill on the part of the Jews. A miracle had occurred that set a blind man free, and they had to have this big investigation to get to the bottom of it all. It sounds like Washington in the aftermath of some simple incident. We spend billions on researching something that really makes no difference for the future.
The man born blind had no clue who or how he was healed. Certainly his parents will have even less information, but the impromptu hearing insisted in gathering all the clues. They had to find the culprit that made this mess.
We don’t know what Jesus was doing or thinking while this fiasco was going on, but He must have been smiling as He went about His business.
Sometimes its better just to let things go without getting to the bottom of them. Some things are to be rejoiced in and not scrutinized. I cannot explain what happened in my spirit the day I met Christ, and no one can explain how this blind man received His sight. Its all part of the mystery of God. And I like how the mystery still works today.
The man born blind who had been healed by Jesus was really an innocent by-stander in what was becoming a tense argument. “Finally they turned again to the blind man, “What have you to say about Him? It was your eyes he opened.’ The man replied, ‘He is a prophet’” (John 9:17). Now, the blind man whose eyes were now opened didn’t know anything about Jesus. But when he was pressured to say something about Him, he stood up for Him.
“He’s a prophet” was a significant declaration. We would disagree theologically and say He was more than a prophet, but this man was taking a risk in this crowd to make such a statement. A prophet was one who speaks on behalf of another. In this case he was saying that Jesus was a spokesman for God the Father. Prophets were sent and anointed by God. So, the formerly blind man was clearly endorsing Jesus as a representative of God.
What would you say in your everyday environment if someone pressured you to declare something about Jesus Christ? Would you take a risk and say something positive, or would you take the safe route and be silent? God has healed our spiritual eyes for a reason…let’s speak up.
There was much confusion over the healing of the man born blind. A religious connection arose when it was revealed that Jesus did this healing act on the Sabbath Day. “Some of the Pharisees said, ‘This man is not from God, for He does not keep the Sabbath’ But others asked, ‘How can a sinner do such miraculous signs?’ So they were divided” (John 9:16).
Jesus always brought division. He always stirred up strife. People either responded to His good news or they were offended by it. Its the same today. If a person does not have a relationship with God through Jesus Christ, they tend to accumulate rules for themselves, then extend them to others. Instead of pulling people to Christ, these rules repel people. Rules bind people up, not set them free. Rules are often used by church people to control others’ behavior.
When we have a genuine relationship with Christ, we want to please Him. His commandments are not grievous when we love Him. We choose to follow His desires for us. Let’s act like we love Him.
After the blind man told the story of how Jesus healed him, the others said, “‘Where is this man?’ they asked him. “I don’t know,’ he said” (John 9:12). I want us to note that Jesus healed the blind man and disappeared. He didn’t try to disciple him or get him to join His church. He just healed him and left. So, the blind man couldn’t answer any questions about what had happened. It was a mystery to him, as well.
But anything that impacts lives like this gets people’s attention. Whether they meant Jesus good or ill, they wanted to know more about a man who could give sight to the blind. Someone with this kind of power could change the world. They wanted to know more.
And so should we. I am on an unending, devoted search for more of Jesus, and I want you to join me. He reveals Himself little by little to those few who will search Him out. “Seek and you shall find,” Jesus said. Tomorrow we’ll find another clue.
A man healed of his blindness was asked how such a thing could happen: “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’” (John 9:11). They asked the question and the man answered to the best of his ability.
Notice that the man did not start preaching to the others. Neither did he use language they couldn’t understand. He didn’t talk “down” to them. And he didn’t try to explain how it all happened. He just told the story the way he remembered. And he left the mystery in the story. Your testimony is simply your story; the story of how your eyes were opened.
If you attempt to uncover the mystery of spiritual awakening, you will confuse them, because people in today’s world have to have a cause for the effect. Just leave the mystery of it all just as it is. Because they’re awakening will not be like yours, anyway. I love to tell the story.
“‘How then were your eyes opened?’ they demanded” (John 9:10). People who have not been born again cannot see with spiritual eyes. They do not believe in fairy tales and they want an explanation for everything. But, spiritual birth cannot be explained, it can only be experienced. This blind man had his eyes opened and now he saw clearly. It made the others search for answers.
When you begin to act like you have spiritual sight, it makes others around you ask questions. “How can you have such peace at a time like this?” “That would have made me furious, how come you stay so calm?” “How do you do it?” Eyes of faith see what can be, not what is.
I suggest we stop acting so defensively and start acting like Jesus, like we believe God is in control after all. Then people begin to take notice of something greater going on. Let your light shine.
Last week we looked at the healing of the man born blind. This week we’ll look at people’s reactions to conversion. People observing the change were wondering if this was really the blind man. “Some claimed that he was. Others said, ‘No, he only looks like him.’ But he himself insisted, ‘I am the man’.” (John 9:9).
Everyone responds to a changed life differently. When I came to Christ, there were a host of Christians that had been praying for me; they rejoiced. However, my social network had been non-Christians, and they were unhappy about my decision. “No one changes over night!” one man shouted. “We’ll see how long this lasts,” said another.
But, only the one who has been converted knows what has happened in his/her inner being. It really doesn’t matter what others are saying about your Christianity. What matters is what you say about it…or don’t.