“Some of the Pharisees said, ‘This man Jesus is not from God, for He is working on the Sabbath.’ Others said, ‘But how could an ordinary sinner do such miraculous signs?’ So there was a deep division of opinion among them.” (John 9:16 NLT)
One of the people I most want to meet when I get to heaven is the “star” of John chapter 9. His name isn’t given, so, I only know him as the “blind beggar.” Of course, he isn’t blind now, and won’t be blind in heaven, but he impressed me so much because He was brand new as a Jesus follower, yet he stood toe to toe with the Pro-Pharisees and wouldn’t back down.
You may recall the scene: Jesus and His disciples seem to be passing by this blind man, so the disciples ask Jesus: “Rabbi, why was this man born blind? Was it because of his own sin or his parents’ sin?” What’s the implication of their question? “Someone must be responsible for his blindness.” But Jesus, who saw this moment before the beginning of time, turned their attention to the real issue when He said: “It was not because of his sins or his parents’ sins. This happened so the power of God could be seen in him.”
What’s happened in your life so the power of God could be seen in you? As seasoned, “veteran” Christ followers we’re all about blame, and far too often we become the victim of our own difficult circumstances. When all else fails, we blame ourselves. And understand, we’re all sinners and each of us has had a hand in where we each now stand, for good or ill, but ultimately, God allows circumstances in our lives to enable us to become willing vessels through whom His Spirit can freely flow.
This young blind man hasn’t simply been pining away feeling sorry for himself. Yes, of course, he’s been begging, but what real option did he have in those days. But the way he stood up to the Pharisees shows he’s got a sharp mind, and sharp minds don’t just happen. Perhaps he engaged learned men who knew the Scriptures, asking them questions, training his mind to reason and to draw logical conclusions.
The Pharisees, because of their blindness, tried to paint a picture of Jesus that didn’t square with this young, formerly blind man. He explained how Jesus healed him, but when these scholarly veterans of the Jewish Faith drew conclusions that were clearly wrong in his mind, he called them on it.
The Pharisees made the mistake of asking this young man his opinion, to which he responded: “I think He must be a prophet.” How would he have known that unless he’s been listening to others speak about the Prophets, or, perhaps, even of Jesus? So, they called in his parents, but when that fizzled out, they said to him: “God should get the glory for this (his healing), because we know this man is a sinner.”
Now, think about this for a second. In that culture, what respectable Jewish person would dare stand up to the Pharisees? Most would have kept quiet or responded with something lame, but not this “rookie!” No, he says what’s been on his mind all along: “I don’t know whether He is a sinner, but I know this: I was blind, and now I can see!”
Would to God that we could all become “rookies at heart” in standing up to anyone who will listen and simply explain: “Once I was blind, but now I see!”
Food for thought.
Blessings, Ed 😊
Walking With Jesus 