John 9 THE WORKS OF GOD The Lord Jesus Christ was always "about His Father's business" wherever He was found. His eyes were always open to display the grace of God and the interest of God in the needs of men. Even though a blind beggar had never seen any evidence of God in creation through his sightless eyes, God saw him through Jesus' eyes. "The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good." It wasn't the sins of the blind man nor his parents that caused his blindness, although many then, and now, think the difficulties of life and sickness are the result of some specific sinful act. Sin and its consequences do cause death, but this man's blindness was a result of the sin principle that is part of our humanity, not necessarily some particular action we might have done. Taking advantage of the opportunity, the Lord Jesus was able to make the works of God to be seen in doing this healing work as a sign of His deity. He gave physical and spiritual sight to this man who was born blind.
In the course of human life innocent people may suffer. But when God in His grace allows us to hear the Gospel and understand not only who Jesus is but what He has done for us, we follow Him. The motivation for following Him is not for convenience and comfort, but because of love and devotion for Him. Good behavior in a person's life is not always rewarded, and bad behavior is not always punished. The Lord Jesus used this sightless man to testify that the Creator who made the world, was able to use the original material He made, when mixed with His spittle, to bring blessing - again we are given another sign of His divine power. Jesus saw the man and met His need.
When God works there are varying reactions among people. Sometimes we may be surprised at how people respond to a blessing from God that cannot be explained by our normal limited experience. Strangely the neighbors who would have know the blind man all his life, were not only surprised by his healing, but were skeptical about the whole matter. His answer to them was simple and to the point as he spoke of "A man that is called Jesus...," and he told of his simple faith. "I went and washed, and I received sight." Little faith brought great blessing. Not satisfied, those neighbors in unbelief brought the now-seeing man who had been given sight by the Lord, to the Pharisees. Again, in simple, pointed words he repeated what had happened to those prejudiced, unbelieving and antagonistic Pharisees. Even the Pharisees were divided in their opinions. In spite of obvious evidence of a work of God in the lives of people, many willfully reject the Savior because of mans' natural enmity against the holiness and power of the One who is far greater than any man.
Another reaction to this sign came from the parents of this now seeing, healed man. They knew he was their son who was born blind, but either did not know what had happened or were afraid of excommunication from the synagogue. History does repeat itself at times. It is not uncommon for a person who accepts Christ as Savior and Lord to be no longer welcome in some religious groups. Light that shines into darkness makes those who dwell in the darkness uncomfortable, afraid and angry. The healed man however, rapidly grew in faith from knowing Jesus as a man, to a Man with power, then a Man (Lord) to be respected, to finally knowing Jesus as the Son of God to be worshipped, and he did worship Him.
The Pharisees' jealousy led to an investigation and condemnation because of good being done on the Sabbath day. Their list of do's and don'ts included their opinion that making a small mixture of dirt and water to make clay was breaking the Sabbath day laws. When there is jealousy, malice and guilt, there follows bitterness against that which is good. Also, there is reviling against the one who does good and the one who is benefitted by the good that is done.
Because of one act of blessing, many people were affected that day. The work of God has a tendency to polarize some people in their own mindset and it enlightens others as to what they had never known before. Spiritual light can bring life to one, and that same light when it is rejected brings greater darkness then was there before. "If that light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness." When the blind man who was given sight was put out of the synagogue, that did not hinder his growth in faith. In one way he excommunicated the religion from him rather than the other way around. A person being brought into fellowship with God is what the Lord Jesus Christ came to accomplish. "Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God."
There will always be those who will not accept the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Savior, because they want their religion now, more than eternal life now and forever. No matter what is taught from the scriptures, the spiritual eyesight of most people will remain in blindness and darkness. But God does see and know those who will respond to His grace, and so we must keep moving forward in presenting the truth as the Lord did in order to find those few who will enter the door to the narrow way.
John.9:4. “I must work the works of Him that sent Me while it is day. The night cometh when no man can work.” THE WORK. The day is here, wait not for light; For in the brightness of the day the plight Of men, looks stark, dark and fearful; Awaiting the relief that makes us hopeful.
A work is here; at hand, close by; To be done by one willing to try The impossible – to men at least, But not to Him who knows the best.
For Him, no obstacle is too great, Nor daunting – that He cannot make, To fly away the problems that fill The life of him that wants to do God’s will.
But night is coming as sure as day is here. And in the darkness of that time is fear; Invading the heart and soul of each and every one, Whose daytime was filled with frivolous games.
When night descends, no work is done, time’s past, For changes to be made that can be blest By God, from whom we now receive All blessings true, to those who do believe.
Without the light, the darkness that fills the land, Overwhelms the fearful; leaves no doubt the hand Of God that brings such benefits in the past; Has been removed, and man is on his own.
“My hands seem full Father, but the work seems so much greater than these aging hands can grasp. Is there some area of imparted grace where I should be giving more attention to? If so, I’m ready (I think) to grab it with God-empowered strength and take
it to the end of what Thou hast in mind for me. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.”