Newton’s 3rd Law of Motion: “To every action there is an equal and opposite reaction”
It not only fits science, but many things in life, huh? Every single decision we make is polarizing. It may not feel like a big deal, but every single choice we make—every action—will attract some and repel others. In short, decisions are magnetic.
Jesus wasn’t immune to this. In John 9:1-7 (last week’s passage), we saw Jesus heal a man born blind. That was the action. Starting today, we start seeing the reaction to this.
We read in John 9:8-12…
His neighbors and those who had formerly seen him begging asked, “Isn’t this the same man who used to sit and beg?” Some claimed that he was. Others said, “No, he only looks like him.” But he himself insisted, “I am the man.” “How then were your eyes opened?” they asked. He replied, “The man they call Jesus made some mud and put it on my eyes. He told me to go to Siloam and wash. So I went and washed, and then I could see.” “Where is this man?” they asked him. “I don’t know,” he said.
John 9:8-12
New International Version
Any healing is a sensational event and it’s bound to attract attention. This man’s cure for his blindness wasn’t any different. The man’s neighbors and those who knew of him were curious if this was really the same guy. After all, he was blind and now could see!
Once they started accepting his healing, the people continued to react by wondering how was he healed.
The man retold the story we read (in John 9:1-7). It seems the matter-of-fact way the man explained his healing made the miracle even more attractive to the crowd. He wasn’t doubtful—and why would he be? He was blind and now he could see!
Also notice: the man who had been blind didn’t bother getting to know Jesus before he listened to Him. The man said in verse 11 “this man they call Jesus…” Apparently, this man who was formerly blind didn’t know Jesus before this incident. Nevertheless, the power of God in Jesus obligated the man to listen to the voice of His Creator in obedience.
And now they wanted to see Jesus for themselves. Jesus healed this man; they were understandably curious. The people, however, were really trying to determine how this miracle was performed. It doesn’t seem they were trying to obtain healing themselves.
Perhaps they were thinking this was part of a scam. Perhaps they thought Jesus was an occultist. We don’t know.
But we can still pause and ask ourselves a question: how do we respond when faced with a miracle?
If you’re a Christian, you are a miracle. But when the Lord performs a miracle like redeeming someone from their sin, how do you respond?
Do you respond with the curiosity of the crowd or the one following the Lord’s commands?
Are you more interested in how the Lord did it or the fact that this life has now been changed?
This crowd was curious but their interest was not mainly about Jesus their Savior, but the methodology Jesus used.
And therein is a lesson for us today. Are we willing to get our eyes off the creation and onto the Creator? What’s your reaction?
Life Meets Theology 