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 devote 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.

Have a Christ Centered Day!

Steve Troxel
God's Daily Word Ministries

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Scripture references: The Holy Bible: New International Version.
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