* Remember, this man was born blind.
* Jesus’ disciples asked the current-day riddle, “what sin caused this man to be born blind?”
* Jesus said, “Not his sin nor his parents, but for the glory of God to be seen.”
* Then Jesus spit, applied and instructed.
* The man obeyed and could see.
* Those who knew him were amazed he could see.
* They asked him what happened. He told the simple truth.
* They asked him where the man was that healed him, “I don’t know”
Vss. 13-16 - They brought him who formerly was blind to the Pharisees. 14 Now it was a Sabbath when Jesus made the clay and opened his eyes. 15 Then the Pharisees also asked him again how he had received his sight. He said to them, “He put clay on my eyes, and I washed, and I see.” 16 Therefore some of the Pharisees said, “This Man is not from God, because He does not keep the Sabbath.” Others said, “How can a man who is a sinner do such signs?” And there was a division among them.
* Let’s not get lost in our amazement that these people could see a man healed and find fault.
* Some find fault with anything.
* It is easy to find fault. These found fault with Jesus Christ.
* They were not exceptional in their fault finding ability. Actually, they did the natural, fleshly thing.
* God call us to a higher life. The gossip, fault finding, criticizing, snipe shooting; that is for Satan and his crowd.
* We are called to better. Listen…. Which best describes how your friends would describe you?
* James 3:14-18 - 14 But if you have bitter envy and self–seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. 15 This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. 16 For where envy and self–seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. 17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. 18 Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
* Philippians 4:8 - 8Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.
* Things in this life are never going to be good enough. Why focus on the bad?
* Romans 12:18 - 18 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.
* The Christian life calls people to peace.
* That does not include stirring up everyone else and sitting back to watch like you are innocent.
* One has said: “The constant critic is a simple minded person, controlled by the flesh and unaffected by the Spirit of God.”
* That is exactly how these religious men could see a blind man healed and find fault.
Vs. 17 They said to the blind man again, “What do you say about Him because He opened your eyes?”
He said, “He is a prophet.”
* This is the blind man’s way of saying, “This is a man of God, no doubt.”
Vss. 18-23 - But the Jews did not believe concerning him, that he had been blind and received his sight, until they called the parents of him who had received his sight. 19 And they asked them, saying, “Is this your son, who you say was born blind? How then does he now see?” 20 His parents answered them and said, “We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind; 21 “but by what means he now sees we do not know, or who opened his eyes we do not know. He is of age; ask him. He will speak for himself.” 22 His parents said these things because they feared the Jews, for the Jews had agreed already that if anyone confessed that He was Christ, he would be put out of the synagogue. 23 Therefore his parents said, “He is of age; ask him.”
* The leaders of the Jews went to find the ones who knew the blind man best; his parents.
* Understand their society. He was disabled, and was still somewhat dependent upon his parents.
* But the parents verified only his identity and disability. For the rest, they said, “He is of age, ask him.”
* They feared being kicked out of the church, as it were.
Vs. 24 So they again called the man who was blind, and said to him, “Give God the glory! We know that this Man is a sinner.”
* Basically, they gave the blind man a choice. You can give God the glory and claim that the one who healed you is a sinner, or you can sin right here and now with your “false” testimony.
* Isn’t it interesting, we try to make the rules? We set the guidelines?
* We would like to say what is what, what makes what and what does what. But we are not God.
Vs. 25 He answered and said, “Whether He is a sinner or not I do not know. One thing I know: that though I was blind, now I see.”
* What a testimony! This man went back to the basic, simple fact. He testified truly of what he knew.
* He had not yet learned who Jesus was. But from what he knew, he would not retreat.
Vss. 26-27 - Then they said to him again, “What did He do to you? How did He open your eyes?” 27 He answered them, “I told you already, and you did not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you also want to become His disciples?”
* I believe God has this man’s response recorded so we could chuckle. Sometimes we need a laugh.
* Basically he said, “This man (Jesus Christ) is dominating your thoughts. You are becoming obsessed with him. Why? Do you want to follow Him too?”
* People are obsessed with Jesus Christ today, and not in a good way.
* Many have committed their lives to destroy Christianity and the claims of Christ.
* Ill. Sam Harris, Michael Martin, etc… commit their lives to sink Christianity.
Vss. 28-33 - Then they reviled him and said, “You are His disciple, but we are Moses’ disciples. 29 “We know that God spoke to Moses; as for this fellow, we do not know where He is from.”
30 The man answered and said to them, “Why, this is a marvelous thing, that you do not know where He is from; yet He has opened my eyes! 31 “Now we know that God does not hear sinners; but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does His will, He hears him. 32 “Since the world began it has been unheard of that anyone opened the eyes of one who was born blind. 33 “If this Man were not from God, He could do nothing.”
* The man, born blind, saw much clearer than the leaders of the Jews.
* He states the obvious. What Jesus did before their eyes should convince anyone.
* But those who refuse to see will continue to refuse to see.
Vs. 34 They answered and said to him, “You were completely born in sins, and are you teaching us?” And they cast him out.
* Let’s focus on three things this passage tells us.
I. The Divisive Communicator.
II. The Deadly Catalyst.
III. The Determining Choice.
I. The Divisive Communicator. Jesus always brings division. Therefore we can never expect peace.
* Matthew 10:34 - “Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword.
* That is His job, not ours.
* Ours is to be ambassadors of peace, love and unity.
* His Spirit does the separating. And HE will separate.
* Matthew 13 teaches that He will separate the wheat from the tares.
* Matthew 25 says that He will separate the sheep from the goats.
* For us who like peace and ache in the presence of division, Jesus is not always comfortable.
* He separates, divides, excludes.
* Do not be mistaken. Jesus came for all.
* 2 Peter 3:9 - The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.
* I believe the words, “Whosoever will.” I also understand that “Most won’t.”
* Jesus said, “…wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it.” Matthew 7:13.
* Romans 1:21 explains why. “…because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.”
* Jesus’ message draws a line in the sand; a clear line.
II. The Deadly Catalyst. Fear is not a noble motivator.
* The parents were afraid to speak truth they suspected.
* They feared loss of status as Jews.
* It was terrifying for a Jew to be banned from the Temple.
* This fear exceeded their commitment to the truth, God, and even their child, if you stop and evaluate it.
* This may have been a momentary lapse in judgment. It may have totally out of character.
* That is what fear does. It causes missed opportunities. Once missed, they are gone forever.
* Romans 8:15 states: “For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.”
* Christ promised freedom from paralyzing fear.
* I John 4:18 says: “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.”
* The question we must ask is, “How much do we change our behavior because of fear of what others may think?”
* Jesus taught that if we have a health respect for our God, we would fear no other man.
* Matthew 10:28 – ““And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.”
* You can make a commitment today that, regardless of what others may say or do, you are going to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.
* If you are afraid, you know where that fear is coming from.
* It is not self-preservation. It is spiritual and it is dark. Let go of your fear.
* Ill. Falling into the arms of your Father.
III. The Determining Choice. It comes down to your choice.
* These Jewish leaders saw enough to believe.
* Let’s focus on something again with this in mind.
* Romans 1:18-20 - 18For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse,
* Excuses, excuses. We can always blame someone or something.
* No one will take responsibility in this life.
* You are not responsible for what you have to face in this life, but you are responsible for your choices.
* You are responsible for how you respond to situations and persons.
* Jesus drew the line in the sand. Fear is trying to hold you back, but the decision is still yours.
* Will you choose Christ today, or will you reject Him?
* Romans 10:13 - For “whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.”
