“A JOURNEY THROUGH THE GOSPEL OF JOHN” ST. JOHN 9:24-41

The Testimony of the Once Blind Beggar

We have come to the conclusion of this very inspiring account of the awesome healing of the once blind poor beggar.  In the account, the grand and awesome Sovereign grace of God was demonstrated toward a man who didn’t even appeal to the mercy of God nor did he elicit any cry for help.  He was certainly in a helpless and hopeless condition, but as the Lord was passing by He had compassion for this grace victim.  Although the Lord exhibited compassion, the Pharisees exhibited their heartless disdain for the person of Christ, displaying their cruel refusal to believe that Christ had wrought a miracle on the man despite the man’s convincing testimony.

Arriving at verse 24, we see that the once blind victim is still under strict examination after the Pharisees had questioned his parents in an effort to discredit the miracle performed by Christ.  Under cross-examination, the grace victim remained firm in his testimony; thus, he was not intimidated by the vile words of the Pharisees.  He did not join the Pharisees in their effort to speak evil of Christ’s person.  Unable to get God’s grace victim to relent his testimony, the Pharisees became more intense in their efforts to discredit the person of Christ, thus displaying that they were in spiritual darkness.  Under strict interrogation in verse 25, the man on whom God’s grace was manifested continued to tell what the Lord has done for him!

In verse 27, the man being questioned continued to answer forth rightly the questions being posed; however, he began to display anger in the utter unbelief exhibited by his inquisitors.  Not able to attack the credibility of this man’s testimony, his inquisitors in verse 28 resorted to name calling which evidenced that they were being defeated.  It is apparent from verse 29, that the testimony of both the once blind man and his parents did not result in the Pharisees being convinced that Jesus wrought a miracle of mercy on this man.  Thus, the Pharisees continued to dwell in the sphere of moral darkness and unbelief.

Continuing to remain resolve in his testimony, the grace victim on trial maintained that Christ opened his eyes (v. 30), and that Christ was not an impostor (v. 31).  In verse 32, God’s grace victim gives an interesting argument stating that in previous times no one had ever given sight to one who was born blind.  The man was testifying that Moses or any of the other prophets had not even given sight to a victim born blind; yet, the Lord Jesus did so!  The awesome wisdom of the once blind victim is evident, for he testifies that Jesus was a man of God (v. 33).  In verse 34, the utter arrogance and unbelief of the Pharisees are exhibited in their refusal to accept the credibility of the man’s testimony.  Having given a simple and frank testimony, the victim on trial was excommunicated – forced out of the synagogue (v. 34).  Having been force out of the synagogue, we find the gracious Master seeking this once blind victim (v. 35).

In His coming, Christ raised a most piercing question to the man when He said – “Dost thou believe on the Son of God?”  The man’s reply is evidence that the light of his understanding has increased for he addresses the Saviour as Lord (v. 36).  In verse 37, the great healer of this once blind beggar is revealed, for Christ revealed that He is deity – the Son of God.  After being severely tested by his religious enemies, the supreme faith of the man is displayed – “He believed and worshipped” (v. 38).  Verse 39 must be understood in the light that the purpose of Christ’s mission was to “seek and to save that which was lost (Luke 19:10).  However, because of man’s refusal to accept the Light (Jesus Christ), the effect of Christ’s person brought judgment.

As we come to the conclusion of this chapter, it is tragic that the Pharisees are still dwelling in the region of unbelief, despite the convincing testimony by God’s grace victim, the once blind beggar.  In their pride and self-sufficiency, they stood condemned, being hardened in their unbelief (v. 40-41).  May God bless!