By David Faust
How could they miss it? How could the Pharisees interact so closely with Jesus but fail to recognize him as God’s Son?
His miracles weren’t done in a corner. Delighted wedding guests surely spread the word about how he changed water into wine. A man who couldn’t walk for 38 years couldn’t keep it a secret after Jesus healed his legs. Thousands with stomachs full of fish and bread must have told the news about Jesus multiplying a boy’s small lunch.
THE BLINDNESS OF UNBELIEF
But not everyone was pleased. When Jesus healed a man who had been born blind, his adversaries objected. In their opinion, by making mud and smearing it on the man’s eyes, Jesus violated their rules against working on the Sabbath. The Pharisees interrogated FBM (the Formerly Blind Man), and the conversation went something like this:
Pharisees: “How was your eyesight restored?”
FBM: “A man put mud on my eyes.”
Pharisees: “What is your opinion of him?”
FBM: “He must be a messenger of God.”
Next, they questioned FBM’s parents to make sure it wasn’t a case of mistaken identity.
Pharisees: “Is this man your son? Was he really born blind?”
FBM’s nervous mom and dad: “Yes, and yes.”
Pharisees: “Then why can he see now?”
FBM’s parents: “We don’t know, but leave us out of this. Our son can speak for himself. Ask him!”
So, then it was time for a follow-up interview with the Formerly Blind Man.
Pharisees: “The man who restored your sight—we think he’s bad.”
FBM: “That’s strange. Seeing is good! I once was blind, but now I see!”
Pharisees: “How exactly did he heal you?”
FBM: “I already explained that. Why are you so curious? Do you want to follow Jesus yourselves?”
Pharisees: “No! We are disciples of Moses.”
FBM: “Maybe so, but you must be blind if you can’t see God’s power enabled him to heal my eyes.”
Pharisees: “Get out of here! We don’t need lectures from sinners like you.”
Sadly, “Even after Jesus had performed so many signs in their presence, they still would not believe in him” (John 12:37).
ARE OUR EYES OPEN?
How could the Pharisees have such close proximity to Jesus, but reject him? Ironically, God’s Living Word “was in the world . . . [but] the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him” (John 1:10-11).
Before we pharisaically congratulate ourselves for being better than the Pharisees, we should ask, Do we always recognize God’s work? Do we consistently see his hand in nature and hear his voice in Scripture? At times, are we blind to our own faults? Do we overlook the needs of our neighbors? Do we ever try to find our own way through the darkness without walking in the light of God’s truth?
Jesus searched for the man whose eyes he had healed (John 9:35-38), and when he found him, the Lord made sure his spiritual eyes were open, too.
Jesus: “Do you believe in the Son of Man?”
FBM: “Who is he, sir?”
Jesus: “You have now seen him; in fact, he is the one speaking with you.”
FBM: “Lord, I believe.”
May our eyes always be open to see God at work. And may our confession always be, “Lord, I believe.”
Personal Challenge: Do you have some spiritual blind spots of your own? Join with the psalmists and pray, “Forgive my hidden faults” (Psalm 19:12) and “Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law” (Psalm 119:18).
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