Text: John 9: 13-34
Text verse: John 9: 31 & 32
This is the first account recorded by a disciple who was excluded because he decided to follow Jesus. It is why this man’s testimony is so valuable to us as believers.
First, we look at the Pharisees’ hardened hearts. In them we see four characteristics of a deliberate disbelief. Then we look at the blind man’s powerful faith and who saw Jesus with his own eyes.
Here are three characteristics that indicate the Pharisees’ hardened hearts.
1. They have false standards.
They had a long list of rules about what may and may not happen on the Sabbath. They saw the fact that Jesus made clay as work. And this while Jesus is doing something good for his fellow man! He does good, rather than ignoring the person’s need.
2. Disbelief always seeks more evidence, but never gets enough.
Even when this man is cornered, they ban him rather than believe. With deliberate disbelief, this is always the case. For the unbeliever, there will never be enough evidence.
3. They are biased.
They have already decided that Jesus is a sinner and are actually forcing the man to confess this (vs. 24). A person with these preconceived ideas will never want to change his mind.
4. They ignore the facts.
This man’s parents testify that it is their blind son who now can see, and yet they do not want to accept it. Likewise, the facts will never be enough for unbelievers.
Contrary to the Pharisees’ disbelief, we see this blind man proving in two separate arguments that the Pharisees’ inferences about Jesus are completely unfounded.
1. God listens to Jesus
In verse 31 this man says that they say they do not know where Jesus came from. The fact that Jesus healed his eyes is clear proof that He is from God. After all, the Jews believed that God listened to the righteous (Job 35:13; Ps. 66:18; Eccl. 15:29; Isa. 1:15).
From this the man deduces that Jesus could not have performed these miracles without God’s help. Therefore, the miracle is proof that Jesus is not a sinner. He enjoys God’s favour.
2. Only God can perform such a miracle
The second argument follows in verse 32. No one in history has healed anyone’s eyes. Psalm 146:8 states, “the Lord gives sight to the blind”. If Jesus healed his eyes, then he has the same power as God. If He were not of God, He would not be able to do so.
Because the Pharisees could not answer these two truths, they banished him.
For us as believers, these facts strengthen our faith. We must hold on to the clear evidence given to us in the Bible.
Jesus is the righteous Son of God. In Him there was no sin and therefore He is the perfect intercessor for us with God. God listens to Him because He came to earth and died for our sins. Based on His atonement, our sins are forgiven. We are healed! We receive life in Him!
Furthermore, Jesus’ miracles also show where He came from. He is God of god’s and the greatest proof is his resurrection. This is not something that happened just somewhere. Jesus appeared to many people after his death. Paul writes that He appeared to more than five hundred people at once and many of those people were still alive when Paul wrote these word (1 Cor. 15: 6). In front of so many witnesses, the truth is clear.
Therefore, as believers, we have abundant reason to believe in Christ.