Conflict Revolution: I Once Was Blind But Now I See

2023-03-26

Pastor Jonathan Falwell

John 9:6-7 (CSB): After he said these things he spit on the ground, made some mud from the saliva, and spread the mud on his eyes. 7 “Go,” he told him, “wash in the pool of Siloam” (which means “Sent”). So he left, washed, and came back seeing.

1. Conflict with sin

Vs 2 (CSB): His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”

  • The expectation was that clearly this man, or his parents, must have done something wrong
  • The presumption was always fixed on the problem not the power of God

2. Conflict with friends

Vss 8–11 (CSB): His neighbors and those who had seen him before as a beggar said, “Isn’t this the one who used to sit begging?” 9 Some said, “He’s the one.” Others were saying, “No, but he looks like him.” He kept saying, “I’m the one.” 10 So they asked him, “Then how were your eyes opened?” 11 He answered, “The man called Jesus made mud, spread it on my eyes, and told me, ‘Go to Siloam and wash.’ So when I went and washed I received my sight.”

3. Conflict with leaders

Vss 13–15 (CSB) They brought the man who used to be blind to the Pharisees. 14 The day that Jesus made the mud and opened his eyes was a Sabbath. 15 Then the Pharisees asked him again how he received his sight. “He put mud on my eyes,” he told them. “I washed and I can see.”

  • Rather than celebrating the gift of healing, they were arguing its very existence
  • The man, whom they clearly knew, was desperately wanting to rejoice with them
  • Isn’t this a picture of how often we focus on the sin of man rather than the grace and mercy of God?

4. Conflict with family

Vss 18–21 (CSB) The Jews did not believe this about him—that he was blind and received sight—until they summoned the parents of the one who had received his sight. 19 They asked them, “Is this your son, the one you say was born blind? How then does he now see?” 20 “We know this is our son and that he was born blind,” his parents answered. 21 “But we don’t know how he now sees, and we don’t know who opened his eyes. Ask him; he’s of age. He will speak for himself.

  • Once again, the legalism of the Pharisees took precedent over the clear miracle before them
  • They would rather do away with Jesus than embrace the miraculous works of Jesus

5. Revolution in Christ

Vss 35–38 (CSB) Jesus heard that they had thrown the man out, and when he found him, he asked, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?”, 36 “Who is he, Sir, that I may believe in him?” he asked. 37 Jesus answered, “You have seen him; in fact, he is the one speaking with you.”

38 “I believe, Lord!” he said, and he worshiped him.

  • Regardless of the opposition and disbelief he had experienced from those around him, he now recognizes that Jesus was the source of this miraculous gift
  • He would not allow fear of criticism or retribution keep him from worshiping the One who had given him what he has never had
  • He once was blind, but now he sees

Application:

  • Even today, people refuse to believe the miraculous grace and mercy found in Christ, celebrate it anyway
  • Do not allow fear of man to interfere with our faith in God
  • Continue to worship Him even when it is clear you may worship alone

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