Pharisees' Willful Unbelief

THE parents of the one blind beggar are afraid when they are called before the Pharisees. They know that it has been determined that anyone who expresses faith in Jesus will be expelled from the synagogue. Such cutting off of fellowship with others in the community can work a tremendous hardship, especially on a poor family so the parents are cautious. "Is this your son who you say was born blind?" The Pharisees ask: "How, then, is it he sees a present?" We know that this is our son and that he was born blind," the parents confirm. "But how is it he now sees we do not know, or who opened his eyes we do not know." Surely their son must have told them all that has occurred, but discreetly the parents say: "Ask him. He is of age. He must speak for himself.

Therefore, the Pharisees again call the man. This time they try to intimidate him by indicating that they have gathered discriminating evidence against Jesus. "Give glory to God," they demand. "We know that this man is a sinner. The once blind man does not deny their charge, observing: "Whether he is a sinner I do not know." But he adds: "One thing I do know, that, whereas I was blind, I see at present." Trying to find a flaw in his testimony, the Pharisees again ask: "What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?" "I told you already," the man complains, "and yet you did not listen. Why do you want to hear it again?" Sarcastically, he asks: "You do not want to become his disciples also, do you?"

This reply enrages the Pharisees. "You are a disciple of that man," they charge, "but we are disciples of Moses. We know that God has spoken to Moses; but as for this man, we do not know where he is from." Expressing surprise, the humble beggar responds: "This certainly is a marvel, that you do not know where he is from, and yet he opened my eyes." What conclusion should be drawn from this? The beggar points to the accepted premise: "We know that God does not listen to sinners, but if anyone is God-fearing and does his will, he listens to this one. From of old it has never been heard that anyone opened the eyes of one born blind." Thus, the conclusion should be obvious: "If this man were not from God, he could do nothing at all."

Next time: Conclusion of Pharisees' Willful Unbelief

The Greatest Man Who Ever Lived, 1991