A Line In The Sand Series

* Remember, this man was born blind.

* Jesus’ disciples asked the current-day riddle, “what sin caused this man to be born blind?”

* Jesus said, “Not his sin nor his parents, but for the glory of God to be seen.”

* Then Jesus spit, applied and instructed.

* The man obeyed and could see.

* Those who knew him were amazed he could see.

* They asked him what happened. He told the simple truth.

* They asked him where the man was that healed him, “I don’t know”

Vss. 13-16 - They brought him who formerly was blind to the Pharisees. 14 Now it was a Sabbath when Jesus made the clay and opened his eyes. 15 Then the Pharisees also asked him again how he had received his sight. He said to them, “He put clay on my eyes, and I washed, and I see.” 16 Therefore some of the Pharisees said, “This Man is not from God, because He does not keep the Sabbath.” Others said, “How can a man who is a sinner do such signs?” And there was a division among them.

* Let’s not get lost in our amazement that these people could see a man healed and find fault.

* Some find fault with anything.

* It is easy to find fault. These found fault with Jesus Christ.

* They were not exceptional in their fault finding ability. Actually, they did the natural, fleshly thing.

* God call us to a higher life. The gossip, fault finding, criticizing, snipe shooting; that is for Satan and his crowd.

* We are called to better. Listen…. Which best describes how your friends would describe you?

* James 3:14-18 - 14 But if you have bitter envy and self–seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. 15 This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. 16 For where envy and self–seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. 17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. 18 Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

* Philippians 4:8 - 8Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.

* Things in this life are never going to be good enough. Why focus on the bad?

* Romans 12:18 - 18 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.

* The Christian life calls people to peace.

* That does not include stirring up everyone else and sitting back to watch like you are innocent.

* One has said: “The constant critic is a simple minded person, controlled by the flesh and unaffected by the Spirit of God.”

* That is exactly how these religious men could see a blind man healed and find fault.

Vs. 17 They said to the blind man again, “What do you say about Him because He opened your eyes?”

He said, “He is a prophet.”

* This is the blind man’s way of saying, “This is a man of God, no doubt.”

Vss. 18-23 - But the Jews did not believe concerning him, that he had been blind and received his sight, until they called the parents of him who had received his sight. 19 And they asked them, saying, “Is this your son, who you say was born blind? How then does he now see?” 20 His parents answered them and said, “We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind; 21 “but by what means he now sees we do not know, or who opened his eyes we do not know. He is of age; ask him. He will speak for himself.” 22 His parents said these things because they feared the Jews, for the Jews had agreed already that if anyone confessed that He was Christ, he would be put out of the synagogue. 23 Therefore his parents said, “He is of age; ask him.”

* The leaders of the Jews went to find the ones who knew the blind man best; his parents.

* Understand their society. He was disabled, and was still somewhat dependent upon his parents.

* But the parents verified only his identity and disability. For the rest, they said, “He is of age, ask him.”

* They feared being kicked out of the church, as it were.

Vs. 24 So they again called the man who was blind, and said to him, “Give God the glory! We know that this Man is a sinner.”