Humble Hero

The Miracle Could Not Be Denied

The Pharisees’ questioning and prejudice, their unbelief in the facts of the case, were opening the eyes of the people. The question in many minds was, Would God do such mighty works through an impostor, as the Pharisees insisted that Jesus was? HH 221.1

The Pharisees could not deny the miracle. The blind man, filled with joy and gratitude, freely told his experience. Again the Pharisees tried to silence him. “Give God the glory! We know that this Man is a sinner.” That is, Do not say again that this Man gave you sight. It is God who has done this. HH 221.2

The blind man answered, “Whether He is a sinner or not I do not know. One thing I know: that though I was blind, now I see.” HH 221.3

As these hypocrites tried to make him disbelieve, God helped him to show, by the vigor and pointedness of his replies, that he would not be caught in any trap of theirs. He answered, “‘I told you already, and you did not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you also want to become His disciples?’ HH 221.4

“Then they reviled him and said, ‘You are His disciple; but we are Moses’ disciples. We know that God spoke to Moses; as for this fellow, we do not know where He is from.’” HH 221.5

The Lord gave the man grace and clarity so that he became a witness for Christ in words that were a cutting rebuke to his questioners. Here was One performing miracles, and they were admittedly ignorant about the source of His power. “Why, this is a marvelous thing, that you do not know where He is from; yet He has opened my eyes! Now we know that God does not hear sinners; but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does His will, He hears him. Since the world began it has been unheard of that anyone opened the eyes of one who was born blind. If this Man were not from God, He could do nothing.” HH 221.6

The man’s reasoning was unanswerable. The Pharisees were spellbound at his pointed, determined words. For a few moments there was silence. Then the frowning priests and rabbis gathered their robes about them, as though they feared contamination from contact with him. “You were completely born in sins, and are you teaching us?” And they excommunicated him. HH 221.7

Jesus heard what had happened, and finding him soon afterward, said, “Do you believe in the Son of God?” HH 221.8

For the first time, the blind man looked on the face of his Restorer. He had seen his parents troubled and perplexed; he had looked on the frowning faces of the rabbis; now his eyes rested on the loving, peaceful face of Jesus. Already, at great cost to himself, he had acknowledged Him as One entrusted with divine power. Now a higher revelation was granted him. HH 221.9

To the Savior’s question, the blind man replied by asking, “Who is He, Lord, that I may believe in Him?” And Jesus said, “You have both seen Him and it is He who is talking with you.” The man threw himself at the Savior’s feet in worship. Christ had been revealed to his heart, and he received Him as the One sent by God. HH 221.10

A group of Pharisees had gathered near, and the sight of them brought to Jesus’ mind the contrast always evident in the effect of His words and works. “For judgment I have come into this world, that those who do not see may see, and that those who see may be made blind.” At the Savior’s advent, the people had the privilege of a fuller revelation of the divine presence than the world had ever enjoyed before. But in this very revelation, judgment was passing on men and women. Their character was tested, their destiny determined. HH 221.11

Feeling that Christ’s words applied to them, some of His hearers inquired, “Are we blind also?” Jesus answered, “If you were blind, you would have no sin.” If God had made it impossible for you to see the truth, your ignorance would involve no guilt. “But now you say, ‘We see.’” You believe yourselves able to see, and you reject the only means through which you could receive sight. The Pharisees refused to come to Christ, and so they were left in blindness. Jesus said, “Therefore your sin remains.” HH 222.1