When Jesus healed a blind man you’d think the community would celebrate his good fortune. But instead the religious zealots of the day immediately turned on this man and his family. Alistair Begg describes this dramatic controversy and its implications for us today.
24So for the second time they called the man who had been blind and said to him, “Give glory to God. We know that this man is a sinner.” 25He answered, “Whether he is a sinner I do not know. One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see.” 26They said to him, “What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?” 27He answered them, “I have told you already, and you would not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you also want to become his disciples?” 28And they reviled him, saying, “You are his disciple, but we are disciples of Moses. 29We know that God has spoken to Moses, but as for this man, we do not know where he comes from.” 30The man answered, “Why, this is an amazing thing! You do not know where he comes from, and yet he opened my eyes. 31We know that God does not listen to sinners, but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does his will, God listens to him. 32Never since the world began has it been heard that anyone opened the eyes of a man born blind. 33If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.” 34They answered him, “You were born in utter sin, and would you teach us?” And they cast him out.
35Jesus heard that they had cast him out, and having found him he said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?”3 36He answered, “And who is he, sir, that I may believe in him?” 37Jesus said to him, “You have seen him, and it is he who is speaking to you.” 38He said, “Lord, I believe,” and he worshiped him.
Series: A Light in the Darkness
Other messages in: A Light in the Darkness
In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.
John 1:4-5
The Church is often confronted with the challenge of losing the centrality of the gospel in its mission – of becoming a marina instead of a lifeboat station. Primarily it exists to introduce unbelieving men and women to the saving power of Jesus Christ. The Gospel records tell us that Jesus repeatedly talked about doing the work of His Father, which was to provide payment for sin and breathe spiritual life in all who believe. As a result, those who are spiritually blind and live in darkness might have their eyes opened and become witnesses to His powerful light. Jesus performed great signs, ultimately, not so people would be amazed, but rather so they might believe and in believing they might have eternal life.
But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
John 20:31
In this series Alistair Begg leads us through several unique and transforming encounters that people had with Jesus – the Light of the World. He exposed their real problem: the darkness of their sin and their need for forgiveness and a Savior. As you listen you will discover that their problem is universal and Jesus provides the only solution that brings conversion. How can the Church remember her mission and point people to the penetrating searchlight of Jesus Christ so that all may find life in His name? Find out when you listen to “A Light in the Darkness”.
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
1 Peter 2:9
