24. John 9:24-41 Jesus, the just judge of the world

March 25th, 2025
by Randy Eliason

1. SCRIPTURE

SCRIPTURE READING: JOHN 9:24-41
SCRIPTURE HIGHLIGHTS:
Vs. 34-38 “You were born a total sinner!” they answered. “Are you trying to teach us?” And they threw him out of the synagogue. When Jesus heard what had happened, he found the man and asked, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” The man answered, “Who is he, sir? I want to believe in him.” “You have seen him,” Jesus said, “and he is speaking to you!” “Yes, Lord, I believe!” the man said. And he worshiped Jesus.

2. OBSERVATIONS :

We already read in 9:18 that the Pharisees were desperate to find evidence that Jesus did not actually heal the man who was blind since birth. Once they realized that they could not deny that this blind man had received a miracle at the hands of Jesus, they demonstrated a determined effort to persuade the healed man that Jesus was not the source of his healing. When they questioned him the first time the man who was healed of blindness offered his judgment that Jesus was a prophet. The Pharisees tried to pressure him to change his opinion and agree with their judgment that Jesus was a sinner.
The healed man did not yield to their pressure and boldly asserted that Jesus must be a man sent from God for him to be able to perform such a miracle as he had.

When the Pharisees realized that they could not refute this man’s testimony and he refused to stop giving Jesus’ glory for it, their last resort was to excommunicate him from the synagogue. Their action would have cut the man off from the religious and social life of the community.

The Pharisees unjustified and unmerciful cruel treatment of this man is set in stark, dramatic contrast to the mercy, love and acceptance that he is offered by Jesus. “They threw him out” but Jesus “found the man”. They treated this man like trash but Jesus treated him like a treasure.

3. APPLICATION:

What does this passage tell me about Jesus?
Jesus’ love is an initiating love. Jesus came to “seek and save the lost”. Jesus goes after the marginalized, the ostracized, and the stigmatized. The Devil shames, but Jesus reclaims.
This story reminds me that salvation is not the result of man seeking God, but God seeking man. All other religions tell a story of how man ought to make himself fit for God or achieve a state of spiritual perfection, but the good news of Christianity is that Jesus has reached down to rescue us while we were sinners. Other religions emphasize what we must do, but Christianity tells us what God has done!

What does this passage teach me about myself/mankind?
It would be easy to imagine the Pharisees as “those evil people” and myself as somehow altogether different. The reality is that without the grace of God and the power of the Holy Spirit operating in my life, I am vulnerable to jealousy, envy, and hatred just like them.

What does this passage impact my affections, attitudes and actions?
My affections for Jesus are deepened by this beautiful picture of his love for man who others had discarded. He hearing how the man had been treated, he went looking for him and he found him. He didn’t sit back and wait for the man to come find him. This is what Jesus did for me as well. This passage also impacts my attitude towards those the world has discarded. I must see them through the eyes of Jesus. As I do, I will find myself being compelled to go out of my way to find them and reclaim them for the kingdom.

4. PRAYER:

Dear Jesus, thank you that you found me and reclaimed me even while I was walking away from you. Help me to see people the way you see them and use me to be your hands and feet to reach those who are lost.

In Your name, Amen.

Posted in The Gospel of John Part 2 (21-40)