Courageous testimony

John 9:24~34

24A second time they summoned the man who had been blind. "Give glory to God," they said. "We know this man is a sinner."

25He replied, "Whether he is a sinner or not, I don't know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!"

26Then they asked him, "What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?"

27He answered, "I have told you already and you did not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you want to become his disciples, too?"

28Then they hurled insults at him and said, "You are this fellow's disciple! We are disciples of Moses! 29We know that God spoke to Moses, but as for this fellow, we don't even know where he comes from."

30The man answered, "Now that is remarkable! You don't know where he comes from, yet he opened my eyes. 31We know that God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the godly man who does his will. 32Nobody has ever heard of opening the eyes of a man born blind. 33If this man were not from God, he could do nothing."

34To this they replied, "You were steeped in sin at birth; how dare you lecture us!" And they threw him out.

I. Message:

Content:

1. The Pharisees summoned the man that had been blind a second time and gave orders. (v. 24)
2. A lively conversation, where the position of the teaching and the taught were switched, between the Pharisees and the blind man that was healed. (v. 25~33)
3. The Pharisees were really mad and drove the blind man that was healed out of the synagogue (excommunication). (v. 34)

Themes:

1. I was blind but now I see
2. Courageous testimony
3. the position of the teaching and the taught were switched

II. Who is God, Jesus Christ or the Holy Spirit?

1. God that is worthy of glory (v. 24)
2. Jesus Christ was wrongfully identified as a sinner (v. 24)
3. Jesus Christ has the authority to heal the blind man (v. 25, 30)
4. God that does not listen to evil people’s prayer (v. 31)
5. Jesus Christ is sent by God (v. 33)

III. What does the passage teach us (about commands, promises, examples, exhortations and warnings)?

1. Continuous interrogation

“A second time they summoned the man who had been blind. "Give glory to God," they said. "We know this man is a sinner."” (v. 24)

The Pharisees have already asked the blind man that was healed about the healing. He told them everything but the Pharisees refused to believe and spoke to his parents to find out the truth. Since the parents were worried about their potential excommunication, they refused to take any responsibility and put all burden of proving the healing back to their son. Therefore the Pharisees summoned again the blind man that healed.

However this time around, there were no more questions on the event but a direct order was given: "Give glory to God," they said. "We know this man is a sinner." Clearly, the Pharisees came to a point where they don’t care about the truth or about discerning right from wrong anymore.

Reflections: do I always strive to find out the truth, to discern right from wrong or to uphold principles?

2. Fearless testimony

Though the Pharisees kept questioning and threatened him, the blind that was healed was not afraid. He met Jesus personally and exclaimed, “I was blind but now I see!” It is a truth that cannot be erased. Therefore, when the Pharisees gave him orders to give glory to God for they knew this man was a sinner, he insisted on telling the truth, “"Whether he is a sinner or not, I don't know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!"”

Clearly, this formerly blind man that lived on begging has a pure faith and moral courage, providing an example to all. “Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.” Matthew 5:37

Reflections: can I uphold my principles without wavering when I am tempted by corrupt but powerful authorities?

3. A switch between the teaching and the taught

When they asked him, "What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?" He answered without hesitation, taking on the position of a teacher, "I have told you already and you did not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you want to become his disciples, too?" (v. 26-27) He is truly brave and can overcome all challenges as he holds the truth.

Facing such a fearless reply, they then hurled insults at him and said, "You are this fellow's disciple! We are disciples of Moses! We know that God spoke to Moses, but as for this fellow, we don't even know where he comes from." (v. 28-29)

The man became more brave and firm and answered, "Now that is remarkable! You don't know where he comes from, yet he opened my eyes. We know that God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the godly man who does his will. Nobody has ever heard of opening the eyes of a man born blind. 33If this man were not from God, he could do nothing." (v. 30-33)

This kind of conversation amazes everyone. A formerly blind beggar gave teachings to the religious leaders that symbolize authority and teach the population. This confirms a switch in the role of the teaching and the taught. It also shows that the man was blind physically but not spiritually.

Reflections: what lesson can I learn from this beggar? What inspiration did I draw from this story?

4. Gradual increase and downfall

There is a strong contrast between the relationships they had with Jesus: the Pharisees and the blind that was healed have taken opposite direction in their spiritual life.

1. The blind that was healed: concerning his understanding of Jesus, it started as a man, then a prophet, then sent from God and finally the Son of God;
2. The Pharisees: their attitude towards Jesus, it started as doubtful, then jealous, then oppressive, then crucifixion on the cross and eventually exclusion from salvation.

Reflections: my relationship with Jesus and my spiritual life are closer to which type?

5. Who is actually driven out?

“To this they replied, "You were steeped in sin at birth; how dare you lecture us!" And they threw him out.” (v. 34)

This blind that was healed spoke for the truth because he had a pure faith and moral courage. However he was excommunicated due his opposition against the Pharisees. Ceremonially, this person seems to have lost his portion in God’s kingdom as he was excommunicated. However the reality is quite the opposite. Since this formerly blind man gradually came to know Jesus, he was saved and blessed. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law put themselves outside of the salvation.

Reflections: am I lost in a mind where I’m self-righteous, ready to execute rules of law on God’s behalf but eventually kept myself out of salvation?

Translated by 顏偉哲