What kind of judgment does Jesus bring?

In this chapter, Jesus tells us that it is for judgment He came into this world and that those who think they see will become blind. But what does Jesus mean by judgment?

The judgment that He is speaking of means to separate, to seek those who are lost and to bring division. Jesus' mission is to make clear who is saved and who isn't, those who need Christ and those who have Him.

When the blind man’s eyes were opened, this angered the religious leaders. According to the Sadducees, there were 3 violations of the law in what Jesus did. It wasn’t the healing itself, but the fact that it was done on the Sabbath and the method by which it was done. We can imagine 3 mini-courtroom scenes in the flow of this passage.

Courtroom Scene #1 (John 9:13-17)

The Pharisees were asking the former blind man again, “How?” How did he come to be able to see? There were 39 stipulations the leaders had added on to the original law given from God about the keeping of the Sabbath. When they were asking how, it was simply to analyze if one of the stipulations had been violated. When the blind man told them how Jesus put the clay on his eyes and told him to go wash, there came a division among the Pharisees. Some said Jesus must be a sinner to do this, while others said no one could do such signs and not be from God.

This situation begins to show how Jesus brings judgment. Jesus brought a separation even among the Pharisees.

Then they questioned the former blind man about “what?” Creating mud on the Sabbath was a violation of their own stipulations. Putting it on the eyes was another violation; and Jesus’ telling the man to get up and go wash was a third.

Courtroom Scene #2 (John 9:18-23)

Next, the Pharisees called for the parent's testimony. The response they gave in verse 20 verifies that he was born blind and that now he sees. But the parents only answered in part and directed the leaders to ask the man himself about how this happened. They said this because they were afraid of being removed from the synagogue. Being put out of the synagogue was like losing their societal identity.

Many people have been brought up in a religious environment where the fear of man governed what they did and thought and how they served God. The Bible teaches that the fear of man is a snare (Proverbs 29:25). This is especially so when religious people insist on their own convictions that are not actual biblical truth.

Courtroom Scene #3 (John 9:24-34)

Next, the Pharisees called the man again. They commanded that he give glory to God by stating that Jesus is a sinner and is in violation of God and the Sabbath. This man wasn’t saved yet, but he gained boldness as the Pharisees kept pushing him.

The formerly blind man said he already told them the what and the how of his healing. Then he asked a revealing question that wasn't just sarcasm. “Do you also want to become his disciples?”

Although the Pharisees proclaimed themselves disciples of Moses, they were not. They didn’t follow strictly what Moses said, but instead lived according to the 39 things they added. Their strict adherence to these man-made laws covered convictions that had deteriorated into abuse. In this way, they were actually fulfilling the division that the Father has sent Jesus in the world to do.

In verse 30-33, the formerly blind man said powerful words: “Well, here is the amazing thing, that you do not know where He is from, and yet He opened my eyes! We know that God does not listen to sinners; but if someone is God-fearing and does His will, He listens to him. Since the beginning of time it has never been heard that anyone opened the eyes of a person born blind. If this man were not from God, He could do nothing.”

This man knew something about prayer, perhaps from the Psalms, and his statements show the transformation of thought he was undergoing.

Post-Courtroom Scene (John 9:35-39)

At the end of the passage, we see the man come to salvation. Jesus found the man and asked if he believed. Jesus was drawing a line in the sand between those who believe and those who don’t. The man believes and worships Christ.

Application Points

Let’s analyze these scenes and give an application for each.

• Scene 1 - There have always been sincerely motivated people who gather for Christian worship who are not saved. Through their own convictions and using the parts of God’s Word they want, they become abusive in their treatment of others. Perhaps they become oppressive because they see others who aren't living their own beliefs. But this is not of God. These individuals still need Christ.
• Scene 2 - The fear of man can be a mighty deterrent to doing the right thing. In Galatians 2, even Peter and Barnabas were caught up in this snare - the fear of man. Peter had to step in and direct them to do the right thing. We have to think about whether an issue is actually prohibited scripturally, not if it breaks our personal convictions. Be careful not to make your convictions into scripture, and don’t cave to someone else’s convictions merely because of the fear of man.
• Scene 3 - Never try to push your personal convictions on others. Convictions on issues like music, dress, and certain ecclesiastical convictions are often personal application, not actual biblical truth. Hold these strongly for your own family and household, but allow others to form their own convictions even if they are different. Always be searching the Scriptures for truth.
• Post Scene - Let’s learn tactically from what Jesus does with this formerly blind man. Use questions to get to know others and allow God to lead them to Him. Ask for wisdom on how to be kind to them and continue your relationship. You will have an opportunity to share Christ with them.