John 9: So that the works of God might be displayed....

John 9:

Jesus heals a blind man. This man had been blind from birth and OF COURSE Jesus does it on the Sabbath 😉 because when else would it most enrage the religious leaders? and also, it’s is HIS day after all! But seriously let’s look at the exchange between this poor guy and the religious leaders for a minute. They call him in to talk not once, but twice to go over what has happened and he is over it. These leaders look like complete idiots at this point and our prior blind man is left using outright sarcasm with them (I think, knowing myself, I would too). The leaders assume that Jesus is a sinner - (that's not good) which in their eyes meant that there was no way he could do such a miracle. At this point the healed man defends Jesus which would mean (in the leaders eyes) that he was one of the disciples when all he really wanted to do was be happy he could see! This man shows more spiritual insight than all the authorities put together. His logic is such that this kind of miracle could only indicate that Jesus was of God. This is because the Jewish belief system is that God responds in direct proportion to the righteousness of the one praying. (OT references at the end of my notes) This kind of miracle could only indicate then that Jesus had to be from God! But the leaders anger prevented them from seeing this logic that the uneducated man so clearly pointed out. This angers them even more. It’s as if by bringing physical sight to this man - Jesus is also bringing spiritual sight to him as well so he can throw it at the leaders. (Jesus after all says in vs 3”it was not that this man sinned or his parents but that the works of God might be displayed in him”). The sad part is that since the leaders were faced with the truth, they are held responsible and are no longer guiltless.

When you have been given the truth, when the gospel is presented to you, held out on a platter and grace is offered, you can’t hide anymore in your sin. You are faced with a choice. It’s a turning point. Do you follow Jesus or Satan? Who do you follow? Where do you want to spend eternity? If you aren’t sure where you stand, hit me up. I’m happy to talk, night or day.

(OT references to Gods response in direct proportion to righteousness: Job 27:9, 35:13; PS 66:18, 109:7; Prov. 15:29; Isa. 1:15.

NT references - John 14:13-14, 16:23-27; 1 John 3:21-22)