Jesus and the Blind Man
A. TWO THINGS GOING ON:
1. An Unbeliever becomes a Believer.
2. Believers of a sort become Unbelievers.
B. IRONY - IN THE SAME CIRCUMSTANCE, WHAT MAKES BELIEVERS OF
SOME MAKES UNBELIEVERS OF OTHERS.
A. LOVE FOR TRADITION( vs. 16 ).
1. Not the Pharisaic esteem for tradition( Matt. 15:3, 6 ).
2. Many observed prohibitions for the Sabbath were mere tradition.
3. Law did not prohibit acts of mercy( Mark 3:1-4; 2:24-29; Luke 13:10-17 ).
B. THEY REFUSED THE EVIDENCE( vs. 18 ).
1. God has provided sufficient evidence of his existence( Rom. 1:21 ).
2. Christ's approval( John 20:30-31; Acts 2:22-24 ).
3. Nobility not in blind acceptance( Acts 17:11 ).
C. FEAR OF REPRISAL( vs. 22 ). LASHED OUT AT TRUTH AND FAITHFUL.
1. Fear used on the blind man's parents.
2. Used on the rulers( John 12:42-43 ).
3. Demas( 2 Tim. 4:10 ).
4. A common tactic( Matt. 23:13 ).
5. Examples to follow( Acts 4:19-20; 5:29 ).
6. Not to fear men( Matt. 10:28; Heb. 13:5-6 ).
D. PREJUDICE - ALREADY MADE UP THEIR MINDS( vs. 24 ).
1. "We already know" - Did they? How did they answer Jesus( 8:46 ).
2. God's word is to teach, not confirm what we have already made up our minds
to believe( 2 Thess. 2:10-12 ).
E. PRIDE( vs. 28 ). "OF MOSES"( vs. 34, 40 ).
1. No conflict between Moses and Jesus( Deut. 18:18-19; John 5:39-46 ).
2. Attitude of superiority and strength( vs. 34, 40; 1 Cor. 3:18; 10:12 ).
"You teach us?"
A. HE SEES JESUS AS A MAN( vs. 11 ). UNDERSTANDING PROGRESSES.
B. THEN SAW HIM AS A PROPHET( vs. 17; 4:17-19 ).
C. FROM GOD( vs. 30-33; John 3:1-2; Prov. 15:29; Psa. 145:18-19 ).
D. ACCEPTED JESUS AS LORD( vs. 38 ). UNDERSTOOD NATURE & PLACE.
E. WORSHIPPED - GAVE REVERENCE DUE HIM( vs. 38 ).
A. WE MUST MAKE A DECISION.
B. IRONY OF JEWS DISBELIEF - THEY WERE THE BLIND ONES.
C. WE MAKE DECISIONS EVERYDAY.
