In John 9, we see one of the most lively discourse between a man who was a blind beggar and had his eyes opened by Jesus Christ, and Pharisees wanting to discredit the miracle. Through reading and studying the chapter, we can learn a little about the opposition that Christians may face, when Christ saves them.
The story starts off with Jesus leaving the temple, as the Pharisees decide to pick up stones to stone Him. As Jesus is walking out, He and His disciples pass a man who was a blind beggar. Jesus makes mud with His spit, applies it to the man’s eyes and tells him to go wash in the pool of Siloam. The man does as he is told, and he is able to see. People who had seen this man when he was blind marvel at what happened, they hardly recognized him and they wanted answers. They question him, “How did this happen?” The man simply states that Jesus healed him. He was blind, and now able to see because of Jesus.
The people get the Pharisees involved. They had not gotten over Jesus claiming to be God, and his claims that they, the Pharisees, were of the devil. They wanted to discredit the miracle. They try to get the man to tell them how the miracle happened. The man says Jesus made it happen. They get the parents involved, and out of fear of being kicked out of the synagogue, they washed their hands of their son, “He is of age; ask him”(v.23). The Pharisees try presenting false information to discredit Jesus, they tried intimidating the man, and they even hurled insults at him. The man still gave credit to Jesus, never wavering in his story. He was blind and could now see because of Jesus. He was then kicked out for not discrediting the miracle or person of Jesus.
In many ways, the story of the man born blind is a parable of those of us who have life in Christ. We once were blind in sin. Unable to see the state we were in and unable to see the danger that was ahead of us. Christ came and opened our eyes. Now, there is something different about us. We are not blind beggars anymore. We are able to move about doing the will of God, because we have spiritual sight. As it was obvious that a change took place in the blind man, it should be obvious in the way we live our lives. People should ask us and question us. We must take advantage of those opportunities and give credit to Jesus Christ. Tell them of what He did for you. Not everyone will welcome the fact that Jesus changed you, for the world hates Him. However, we are called to continue in our witness. Always sharing the truth of Jesus Christ. People will try to belittle us, call us names, try to incriminate us, and maybe even kick us out of their midst. Remember, it is all for God’s glory. No matter what happens, His name is to be proclaimed by your mouth, and your lives. You will face adversity in your walk with Christ. Share the truth of the Gospel, sharing the good news of Jesus Christ. It is all for Him.