Jesus’ Confrontations with the Pharisees
So the Pharisees again asked him how he had received his sight. And he said to them, “He put mud on my eyes, and I washed, and I see.” Some of the Pharisees said, “This man is not from God, for he does not keep the Sabbath.” But others said, “How can a man who is a sinner do such signs?” And there was a division among them. John 9:15-16 (ESV)
Blind Separatists.The Pharisees were a group among the Jews who tried to live according to the Law of Moses. Unfortunately, the Law wasn’t enough, and they added to it by ‘interpreting’ and ‘defining’ the Law of God for themselves. They made every effort to ‘separate’ themselves, which is why they were called ‘Pharisees.’
The Gospel of John relates how Jesus corrected the vision of a man born blind in the most unorthodox of ways. He spit on the ground and made mud with the saliva and spread it in his eyes…an act that would temporarily render a seeing person blind. He sent him to wash in the pool of Siloam and when he returned, he could see for the first time. Incredible!
The Blind Pharisees were not impressed because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath Day. They confronted the formerly blind man. The man could see that the miracle proved Jesus was from God. The Blind man’s point gained traction with some, but not others, and there was a division among them.
There are still people who see and hear but are blind to the truth that Jesus is the Son of God. So that is where you come in. Jesus would have you tell others what Jesus has done for you, so that the eyes of others may be opened.
Faith He grants us to believe it, Grateful hearts His love to prize;
Want we wisdom? He must give it, Hearing ears and seeing eyes.
The Lutheran Hymnal 358:4