Who Will You Listen To?

Jan. 16

Read; John 9:24-40

Who Will You Listen To?

“…If this man (Jesus) were not from God, he could do nothing.” They (the Pharisees) answered him, “You were born in utter sin, and would you teach us?” And they cast him out.” (v.33,34)

It is hard to fathom being so backwards that trusting in Jesus would be called a sin. I can grasp someone not believing for themselves, but being so against Christ that telling someone that trusting in Jesus is actually a BAD thing - a “sin” - is a different kind of twisted. The sad truth is, the Devil is consistently working to make this happen. (cf. John 8:39-45) After receiving his sight from Jesus, the blind beggar is grilled by everyone around him. They all doubt his miracle or his actual identity… they even try to claim he is not the same person. The opinions of the world around him are attacking him from all sides. This paints for us a powerful picture of the Christian journey at times.

How do we respond when the voices around us attack our identity in Christ? The Pharisees “revile” this man because he believes. (v.28) The darkness will always HATE the light. (cf. John 3:19-21) These Pharisees attack the blind man with accusations because, well, they are doing the work of “their father” the Devil who is a liar and accuser at his core. (cf. John 8 again) I wonder how that blind man felt when he was told that he “was born in utter sin”? (v.34) This is a jab at a newly healed wound for this man. He had spent so many years thinking his blindness was a sin issue, not a matter of being set apart to put God’s power on display. Jesus had just declared that his being born into blindness was not caused by his parent’s sin at all, and that he was being used for God’s larger plan and glory. Now he is faced with this accusation… this pressure… this rejection. How would he endure? Who would he listen to?

Each and every day, as God’s people, we must face competing voices making claims as to who we are… accusations as to our true identity and nature. In the midst of all those voices is the voice of Christ speaking truth to us. In the midst of accusations that come from every direction, Jesus is telling us that we are no longer slaves to sin (Rom. 6:15-19) He declares, you are a new creation. (Gal. 2:20, 2 Cor. 5:17, Rom. 6:4, EPh. 2:10) God is crafting your life like a poem, and you have a purpose… good works to do that are set aside for you. (Eph. 2:10) Your sin has been removed from you as far as the east is from the west. (Ps. 103:12) You are no longer a “sinner” but now you are a child of God. (Rom. 8:12-17) On and on… the “still small voice” of Christ whispers in our ears who we TRULY are as the world yells its accusations at us left and right. The darkness will ALWAYS hate the light, and the world will accuse those who follow Christ not simply of being “wrong” but of actually “sinning”… being immoral. Whose voice will you listen to?

For those who have experienced transformation in Christ, there is no going back. We may not always understand how God is working, but like the blind man we can declare our own experience: “once I was blind, and now I see!” (v.25) This sort of experience is the only think that will stand up under the pressure. It cannot be simply agreeing to a set of ideas… we must experience the power and presence of Christ for ourselves. We are the ones who know who we used to be and who we are now! Without genuine transformation, we will begin to doubt ourselves even.

Until the Lord “opens your ears”, you will not be able to hear his voice or trust what he says about you. Think of how many times the Pharisees ask the same question of this man and his parents. The response of the blind man makes this truth clear:

“(the previously blind man) answered, “Whether he is a sinner I do not know. One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see.” They (the Pharisees) said to him, “What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?” He 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?” (v.25-27)

Today, ask the Lord to give you ears to hear the testimony of his work that is all around you. When people share about his mighty power and transformation, are you willing to listen? Ask the Lord to show you haw you have been transformed… in what ways has he changed you? When the enemy challenges your identity today… when he calls you a “sinner” and ridicules you for following Christ… may the words of Jesus be louder and stronger. Let the people of God trust God’s purpose for them and their identity in Christ enough that we may withstand the “interrogations” of the world around us. The final stop for this blind man was WORSHIP. What else is there to do really? This man’s physical sight was restored, but more importantly his spiritual eyes were opened, and he recognized Christ! (v. 38) Once he heard the words of the Lord, “He said, “Lord, I believe,” and he worshiped him.” (v.38 ) Lord, we believe … let us worship. We once were blind but now we see. May the words of Christ ring louder in our ears than the accusations of the enemy! Love you guys. - JDP