How can John 10:21 strengthen our faith in Jesus' miraculous works? Setting the Scene John 10 finds Jesus in Jerusalem during the Feast of Dedication. He has just declared Himself the Good Shepherd, sparking debate. Into that dispute comes John 10:21— “Others said, ‘These are not the words of a man possessed by a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?’” What the Crowd Recognized • They weighed Jesus’ words: spiritual clarity, authority, compassion—nothing like demonic ranting. • They weighed Jesus’ works: specifically the recent healing of the man born blind (John 9). • Conclusion: the supernatural evidence pointed to God, not evil. Why This One Verse Strengthens Our Faith in Miracles • Eyewitness logic: Even skeptics on the scene conceded that a genuine miracle had happened. • Link between word and work: the same mouth that spoke life-giving truth performed life-giving power, confirming both. • Immediate historical context: the healing was public (John 9:8-9) and investigated (John 9:13-34). It survived hostile cross-examination. • Affirmation of Jesus’ sinless character: demons deceive and destroy; Jesus restores sight—matching Isaiah 35:5. • Demonstration of messianic credentials: opening blind eyes was promised of the Messiah (Isaiah 42:6-7). Cross-Scripture Echoes • John 9:32-33 – “If this man were not from God, He could do no such thing.” • Acts 2:22 – “Jesus the Nazarene was a Man attested to you by God with miracles, wonders, and signs...” • Matthew 11:4-5 – Jesus points to miracles, including sight for the blind, as proof to John the Baptist. • John 20:30-31 – Miracles written “so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ... and by believing you may have life.” Faith-Building Takeaways for Today • Miracles are not myth: they were public, scrutinized events acknowledged even by opponents. • Reason and faith unite: logical people in the text used evidence to reach a faith-friendly verdict; so can we. • Scripture interprets experience: prophetic promises (Isaiah 35:5) and apostolic testimony (Acts 2:22) converge on Jesus. • Unchanging character: the One who opened physical eyes still opens spiritual eyes (2 Corinthians 4:6). Living It Out • Read John 9–10 together; notice how works and words intertwine. • Thank God for past recorded miracles; let them foster expectancy for His present power (Hebrews 13:8). • When doubts surface, revisit the crowd’s logic: “Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?” Let that rhetorical question steady your heart. |
    |