"The blind will see and those who see will become blind" (v39). Some of the Pharisees said, "This man is not from God, for he does not keep the Sabbath." Really?? It is amazing to me that the Pharisees could be so blind. As if restoring sight to the blind is not a work of God? The Pharisees setup a system of rules and belief that kept them from the salvation that Jesus offered. Including this one: "for already the Jews had decided that anyone who acknowledged that Jesus was the Christ would be put out of the synagogue" (v22). If they had come to believe in Jesus based on this miracle, they would have put themselves out of community. They prevented themselves from coming to saving faith in Jesus and tried to prevent others. They tried to dictate to the blind man how he must respond to the miracle (v24). They attempted to find out more about how Jesus opened his eyes (v26), perhaps to try to show that they could do the same. They insulted the man born blind (v28). And they held to their tradition and system of belief rather than believe in Jesus (v34). This is all reminiscent of Pharaoh's obstinacy to the miraculous plagues sent on Egypt.
At the end, Jesus seeks out the man healed of blindness. Jesus heard that he had been thrown out of the synagogue and goes to ensure that the man knows the truth - the truth that saves. The man confessed to the Pharisees that Jesus was a prophet. Jesus tells him that he is the Son of Man, the Savior, and the man believes. Amen!
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I felt convicted as I read this passage. How many times have I judge people by my stupid little "systems of rules". (v16) reminds me about looking for the fruit (Matt 7:16-20) of people before I "pass judgement" or more importantly draw conclusions.
ReplyDelete(v20-23) might amaze me more than the Pharisees denial.... in that here are parents that have seen a miracle, on their very own son, and yet will not speak up for Jesus. Lord never let me become more worried of peoples opinion or rules as to deny You.