John 9:26-34 - Lesson #98

In a way, I kind of feel sorry for the religious leaders during the time of Jesus. I am often quite condemning as I read of their love for their religious system and their inability to see God in all Jesus did and said. I want to believe I would never be so foolish, but then I am reminded of the blinding power of tradition. The tradition of the Pharisees began with a desire to honor God and follow His commands; but in the end, their tradition kept them from seeing the One sent to be "the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person" (Hebrews 1:3). I try to guard against it, but I know my own traditions have a tendency to cloud my view of Jesus. Father, forgive me!

John 9:26-34
"Then they said to him again, 'What did He do to you? How did He open your eyes?' 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?' Then they reviled him and said, 'You are His disciple, but we are Moses' disciples. We know that God spoke to Moses; as for this fellow, we do not know where He is from.' 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! Now we know that God does not hear sinners; but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does His will, He hears him. Since the world began it has been unheard of that anyone opened the eyes of one who was born blind. If this Man were not from God, He could do nothing.' They answered and said to him, 'You were completely born in sins, and are you teaching us?' And they cast him out."

The man had already explained how Jesus had healed his eyes, so when the Pharisees asked him again he became annoyed and sarcastic. The reply of the Pharisees revealed the nature of the problem.

By claiming to be disciples of Moses, the Pharisees were saying they were devoted followers of the Law and the system of interpretations which surrounded the Law. This much was true. But what they had failed to see was that Jesus was and is the supreme exalted focus, even in the words of Moses; "if you believed Moses, you would believe Me; for he wrote about Me" (John 5:46). But to the man who, perhaps due to his physical blindness, was not attached to the religious system the identity of Jesus was clear.

When the man tried to explain the simple logic which ought to have led to belief in Jesus, the Pharisees raised the barrier of high education and training - How dare you try to teach us! The solution? Cast him out!

Our nature craves systems with lists of things to do and not do. We want to be able to somehow measure our relationship with God - measure our spiritual growth. But God's Word speaks only in terms of faith and trust, love and hope. These are impossible to quantify, but they are true! Let's remember that it always has been and always will be about Jesus Christ and Him crucified for the forgiveness of sin. If this is not our focus then our focus is being dimmed and will eventually fade to blindness.