Evidence of Divine Mission

Lesson #160

With this lesson we will finish the fifth section of chapter 9, which is defined by John 9:24 – 34. After a strong statement made by the man to the Jews, they now revile him: “And they reviled him, saying, “You are his disciple, but we are disciples of Moses. We know that God has spoken to Moses, but as for this man, we do not know where he comes from.”” (John 9:28 – 29 ESV). Since the man gives Jesus credit for his healing, the Jews then accuse him of being his disciple. In the minds of the Jews, you can’t be his disciple and also a disciple of Moses because they believe Jesus has broken the law. They believe they have kept the law and thus are disciples of Moses. The problem with the Jews is, even though they believe God commanded Moses to deliver the law, they think their interruption of that law to be infallible and hence Jesus broke the law by healing on the Sabbath. They continue to show contempt for Jesus by referring to him as “this man”. Concerning where he is from, they should know he was born in Bethlehem, but later came from Galilee. Later in John this will become an issue with the Jews. I think in their minds they have no knowledge of his calling so as to say he was from God. They cannot accept that he was from God as he says.

“The man answered brilliantly: “Why, this is an amazing thing! You do not know where he comes from, and yet he opened my eyes”” (John 9:30 ESV). The man stands before the Jews in amazement that they cannot accept the fact that Jesus performed a one of a kind miracle and that he must have some special connection with God. He thinks, “How can these Jews not know that he is from God after performing such an amazing miracle?”

The man continues: “We know that God does not listen to sinners, but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does his will, God listens to him” (John 9:31 ESV). The man may have had in mind verses like the following: “The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous and his ears toward their cry” (Psalm 34:15 ESV) and “If I had cherished iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have listened” (Psalm 66:18 ESV). The man’s conclusion is that God listened to Jesus and performed a great miracle and therefore he must be who he claims he is; the Son of God.

The man continues: “Never since the world began has it been heard that anyone opened the eyes of a man born blind” (John 9:32 ESV). If this be the case, then Jesus must be from God. Today sight can be restored, in many cases, by surgery. Even today it is extremely rare for a person born blind to be given sight.

The man concludes his statement to the Jews by saying: “If this man were not from God, he could do nothing” (John 9:33 ESV). In the man’s opinion, anyone who could perform such a miracle must be from God because if he was not this miracle would be an impossibility. Jesus performed many miracles, thus showing proof of his Divine mission. Not willing to see the logic of the man’s argument, they discredit him with their answer: ““You were born in utter sin, and would you teach us?” And they cast him out” (John 9 34 ESV). Their conclusion that he was born in sin comes from the established fact that he was born blind. In that culture, misfortune was believed the result of the person’s sin or in this case that of his parents. We see this belief clearly held by Jobs friends.

Prayer

Father, as I study the life of Jesus, I am amazed at how unique he was among men; the cultural norms he stood against, the traditions he challenged, the miracles he performed, the love he demonstrated, the humble attitude of heart that was always present, the authority of his teaching, his sinless life, and his willingness to die in our place are some things that come to mind. It must then follow, as Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Thank you for making it possible for me to believe and embrace this truth.