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Previous Lesson -- Next Lesson JOHN - The Light Shines in the Darkness
A Bible Study Course on the Gospel of Christ according to John
PART 2 - Light Shines in the Darkness (John 5:1 - 11:54)
C - Jesus' Last Journey to Jerusalem (John 7:1 - 11:54) The Parting of Darkness and Light
2. Healing the man born blind (John 9:1-41)
b) The Jews interrogate the healed man (John 9:13–34)JOHN 9:24-25 The Pharisees were trying hard to find a weak point in Jesus to pass sentence on him. Again they brought the healed man before them and made him swear to speak against Jesus and charge him with some offence. They asserted as law experts that they knew Jesus to be a sinner; all they needed was clear proof. They put pressure on him to agree and accuse Jesus, and wished him to confess that his healing was not to the glory of the Nazarene. But he replied wisely, "I do not know if he is a sinner, only God knows. I know one thing – once I was blind but now I see." This fact cannot be denied. It implies a miracle, a divine energy and the grace of forgiveness. This young man’s witness is one that thousands of believers will confirm. They may not know the mysteries of heaven and hell, but they received rebirth. Each of them can claim, "Once I was blind but now I see." JOHN 9:26-27 Not content with this young man’s replies, the Pharisees tried to find contradictions in his report and asked him to repeat his story. He was angry and said, "Have you not understood the first time? Do you wish to hear the story once more, so as to become his disciples?" JOHN 9:28-34 After the young man had ridiculed the scribes and the scholars, they cried out and reviled him saying, "Not us, but you are the disciple of this deluder. We follow Moses, the man who spoke with God." Jesus had previously informed them that if they had understood Moses rightly, they would have listened to his words and grasped them. But since they had twisted Moses’ words and used them to justify themselves, they could not understand him either, nor could they recognize the Spirit through whom he spoke. At that the healed man responded, "He who opens the eyes of one born blind has creative powers. He is mighty and able. In his gentleness he did not blame me; he did not ask for money, but offered me loving service gratis. He did not even wait for me to thank him. I found no lack or blemish in him." The young man then confessed, "Every member of the Old Covenant knows that God does not respond to the prayers of the proud. Sin in man prevents the flow of blessing from God. But he who is broken before the Holy One, confessing sin, seeking faith and love with thanksgiving, for him God speaks in person." "None of you could open my eyes, no man can do this because all have sinned except Jesus. He was able to heal me, proof that he is sinless. God dwells in him." Having been compelled to think of Jesus during this enquiry made him know Jesus in his innocence and divinity. At that, the self-righteous pious folk cursed him saying, "No one is more corrupt than you, your parents too are likewise. Your depravity comes out in your blindness." These pious folk did not realize that they were more blind than that poor man. Jesus was using him as an apostle on his behalf to them, to show what he could do with them. But they rejected Christ’s teaching through the healed messenger. So they ejected him by force from the synagogue. This expulsion first took place in the Council chamber and then publicly when they called him a servant of Jesus. He was that day a healed one and yet rejected by his nation, evidence that their spirit could not endure Christ’s Spirit. QUESTION:
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