John 9:15-16 -- So the Pharisees again asked him how he had received his sight. And he said to them, “He put mud on my eyes, and I washed, and I see.” 16 Some of the Pharisees said, “This man is not from God, for he does not keep the Sabbath.” But others said, “How can a man who is a sinner do such signs?” And there was a division among them.
Let's do a location check on where we are in the Journey. Jesus is leaving the temple area as the Feast of Booths celebration closes on a Sabbath day of rest. He heals a man blind from birth. The man's neighbors can hardly believe it's him. Now they've taken him to the Pharisees and religious leaders.
We find the religious leaders are interrogating the man formerly blind from birth and take notice the word "again".
Why are we taking notice of this, you ask?
I'm so glad you asked! It shows a pattern of how the religious leaders handle anything that doesn't line up with their knowledge and traditions. We saw in chapter eight their entire strategy was to trap Jesus through questions. It also allows them to redirect and not deal with the truth themselves or consider the possibility they could be wrong. Just keep bouncing it back in question form until you break them, trap them, or make them run.
Christian, I've said it before, questions and even healthy doubts can be good, if you're willing to genuinely seek and be open to learning God's truth, not mans. It comes down to the heart behind the questions and doubts. Is it to draw closer to God, to get to know Him, to build up? OR is it to deflect, to hide, to criticize, and tear down?
One thing I so love about the 'man who sees since meeting Jesus' (I had to name him something that didn't make me think of Prince! LOL.. I'm weird)... Okay, so look how this man responds to these highly educated men, who could shred you to pieces with their knowledge. I love the simplicity of it.
"He put mud on my eyes, and I washed, and I see."
We find this simple statement of truth has caused division among the Pharisees. The truth of Jesus will ALWAYS bring confrontation to lies and deceit. His light will ALWAYS bring confrontation to the darkness.
We quickly find those who want to label Jesus as demon possessed are specific in their reasoning. "for he does not keep the Sabbath.". This was something the religious leaders over hundreds of years had built traditions, which turned into man made laws, based on the foundation of God's direction to Moses. So, the offense wasn't against God, it was against man's pride in their traditions and laws.
Sadly, just like when Nicodemus stood up for Jesus back in John 7:50-53, we'll see the wooden religious leaders drown out those whose opinions differ from their own. Those who questioned the majority's view on the situation, quickly disappear.
Beloved, ALWAYS stand on the truth of God's Word, even when it makes you unpopular, hated, or even persecuted and lied about.
Now hear me say this, it isn't about walking around with a ten-pound oversized bible and hitting people over the head. That's not how Jesus did it and we're to walk as He walked (1 John 2:6). If you want to know how to stand on the Truth of God's Word, spend time right here in the Gospels and learn directly from our Savior. There is a powerful place of standing rooted in His word, in His love, peace, and joy. It's not about beating anyone up or tearing them down, it's about simply letting God's truth and love fight the battle, while we simply hold to Him and stand firm.
Well, this is where today's journey with the Lord ended. Oh, please I beg you don't take my word on anything. Be the Berean. Hear man's opinion, interpretation, preaching, teaching, then take it straight to God, in prayer and in His Word. Let His Word always be your foundation and final truth. It's why it's vital to walk with God every day in prayer and the Word.
You are loved. You are prayed over. You are not alone.
Comments