How does John 9:19 challenge us to recognize God's work in our lives? Setting the Scene “and they asked them, ‘Is this your son, the one you say was born blind? So how is it that he can now see?’” (John 9:19) In one short question the Pharisees reveal more about themselves than about the miracle. Instead of marveling at a life-changing act of God, they focus on doubting, dissecting, and discrediting it. Spiritual Blindness Exposed • The religious leaders possessed the Scriptures yet could not see the Messiah standing before them. • They demanded an explanation that fit their preconceived framework rather than adjusting that framework to God’s unmistakable intervention. • By interrogating the parents, they shifted attention from divine mercy to human testimony, hoping to undermine the miracle’s credibility. The Challenge to Recognize God’s Work Today • Examine the fruit, not just the form – A blind man now sees; a sinner becomes a saint; peace replaces turmoil (Matthew 7:17-20). • Guard against hardened presuppositions – “Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts” (Hebrews 3:15). • Acknowledge God’s sovereignty in unexpected places – “The wind blows where it wishes… so it is with everyone born of the Spirit” (John 3:8). • Refuse the pressure of popular skepticism – The parents feared expulsion (John 9:22); we may fear ridicule, yet truth remains unshaken. • Celebrate transformed lives as living evidence – “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation” (2 Corinthians 5:17). Practical Steps for This Week • Keep a daily record of moments where God answers prayer or guides decisions. • Share one recent instance of God’s provision with a friend or family member. • When confronted with skepticism, calmly state the facts of God’s work instead of arguing hypotheticals. • Ask the Lord to open spiritual eyes—your own and those around you—whenever you read His Word (Psalm 119:18). • Rejoice aloud in worship for specific acts of deliverance, just as the healed man did (John 9:25). Scriptural Echoes • Psalm 66:5—“Come and see what God has done.” • Isaiah 42:16—God leads the blind by a way they did not know. • James 1:17—“Every good and perfect gift is from above.” • 1 Peter 2:9—We are called “to proclaim the excellencies” of the One who brought us out of darkness into light. Living the Lesson John 9:19 exposes the temptation to analyze miracles instead of honoring the Miracle-Worker. Let it prod hearts to swap suspicion for celebration, critique for confession, and disbelief for doxology. Open eyes see God’s fingerprints everywhere—and gladly give Him the glory. |
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