How much evidence does it take for someone to believe that something has happened? Even with evidence right in front of their eyes, though, there are still some people who are so stubborn, hard-headed, and close-minded to accept what is presented right in front of them. Our Scripture from the Gospel of John gives us the account of one of Jesus’ great miracles, and how it was received by the public, especially by one group who would not believe. Are we sometimes equally close-minded to God’s work? Let’s look into this Scripture passage.
Jesus and His disciples happened to pass by a young man who was blind from birth. The disciples saw this unfortunate young man, and asked Jesus whose fault it was that he was born blind - was it his fault or his parents’ fault (vs. 1-2). The people of that day believed that if something bad happened to someone or their family, it was due to some sin that was committed. They believed that they deserved their problems, and that sickness was always related to sin.
The response that Jesus gave left no doubt as to what was the truth regarding this man, setting them straight. Jesus said that in this case, the man was blind so that God could show forth His power and work through him (vs. 3). We should not always assume that sin is to blame for a physical ailment. Sometimes it is, but many times it is not. There is no such thing as “Christian karma”. Regardless of the reason for our suffering, Jesus has the power to help us deal with it.
Jesus then took the young man, put clay on his eyes, and told him to go wash in the pool of Siloam (vs. 6-7). When he obeyed Jesus, his eyes were healed. Had the man not obeyed the orders Jesus gave, had he just wiped the clay off after a moment or two, I don’t believe his sight would have been restored. He had to go to that certain pool and wash his eyes there. Obedience to God brought this man healing.
Then came the controversy. People began to notice that this man, whom they had seen blind for many years, was now walking around with his sight restored. At first, some doubted that he was the same man (vs. 8-9). When he assured them that he was the same man, they wanted to know how he was healed. This gave the man the opportunity to give a witness for Jesus. Though he didn’t know Jesus’ Name, or exactly Who He was, the man told them exactly what He had done (vs. 10-12). Because this healing took place on the Sabbath, some people were concerned, so they brought the man to the Pharisees to see what they would say.
Throughout the country the Pharisees had set themselves up as the arbitrators of what was good and right, especially when it came to religious laws. In their mind, healing on the Sabbath, including the eyesight of a man born blind, was definitely not right.
There were four different reactions to Jesus’ healing of the blind man. The neighbors showed surprise and skepticism. The man’s parents believed, but kept quiet due to fear of the Pharisees. The Pharisees did not believe, and were jealous. And then the healed man showed consistent, growing faith.
Restoring the sight of a blind person back then, especially someone born blind, was a great miracle. Though the Pharisees couldn’t really deny it, they didn’t like it. At first they tried to deny it, but when they saw they really couldn’t deny the fact, then they tried to tear Jesus down, calling Him a sinner for doing this on the Sabbath (s. 28-34). The formerly blind man may not have had any formal education, but he was still a bright man with common sense. He debated with the Pharisees, asking how a sinner could bring about such an obvious miracle. He asked why God would answer the prayers of a sinner, as it was obvious that God did hear Jesus’ prayers, and answered Him.
The Pharisees did not want to see or acknowledge what was right in front of their eyes. To do so would be to have to acknowledge that sometimes their prejudices and judgments were wrong, and they never wanted to do that. They were blinded by their pride, jealousy, and sin. Their anger prevented them from seeing the truth. We, today, need to be careful that we don’t ever fall into such stubbornness. We do not know better than God.
We don’t know the name of the man healed of blindness, and after this account, he is not mentioned again. This man made a profession of faith in Jesus, and told those around him who would listen what Jesus did for him, even to the point of getting kicked out of the synagogue (vs. 34-38). This healed man showed more spiritual insight and common sense than the Pharisees and religious leaders who sat in judgment on Jesus.
What about you? Are you open to the workings of the Lord around you, or are you stubborn, hard-headed, and blind? As an old-time hymn says, “Open my eyes that I may see glimpses of truth Thou hast for me!”
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