Willingly Ignorant

John 9:24-41

“Then again called they the man that was blind, and said unto him, Give God the praise: we know that this man is a sinner.

He answered and said, Whether he be a sinner or no, I know not: one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see.” (John 9:24-25)

They called the man back in and told him to recant and give God the glory, denying Christ had any part in it because they did not believe Jesus came from God.  The man said it didn’t matter whether Jesus was a sinner like they said or not, he still knew that where he had been blind he now could see.  Their opinion didn’t change anything. 

“Then said they to him again, What did he to thee? how opened he thine eyes?

He answered them, I have told you already, and ye did not hear: wherefore would ye hear it again? will ye also be his disciples?

Then they reviled him, and said, Thou art his disciple; but we are Moses' disciples.  We know that God spake unto Moses: as for this fellow, we know not from whence he is.” (John 9:26-29)

In an effort to trick the man into changing his story, like lawyers today, the Pharisee lawyers demanded he tell the story again.  The man said he had already told them the truth several times and there was no use repeating it unless they were thinking about becoming Jesus disciples.    That made them mad and they accused him of Being Jesus disciple because he was ignorant.  They knew where Moses got his law but they didn’t know where Jesus got his teaching. 

“The man answered and said unto them, Why herein is a marvellous thing, that ye know not from whence he is, and yet he hath opened mine eyes.  Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth.  Since the world began was it not heard that any man opened the eyes of one that was born blind.  If this man were not of God, he could do nothing.” (John 9:30-33)

The man said he was amazed they were so much smarter than he was and could ignore the evidence that Jesus was from God.   At no other time in history had anyone been able to make a person who had never seen able to see.    They knew God didn’t act on behalf of wicked people, but did act on that of those who worshipped Him.  Clearly their own teachings implied Jesus had to be from God or he could not have performed such a miracle. 

“They answered and said unto him, Thou wast altogether born in sins, and dost thou teach us? And they cast him out.” (John 9:34)

When facts and logic make their position indefensible, people who refuse to consider any other viewpoint often impugn the intelligence and moral character of those who question their position, rather than admit they don’t have a leg to stand on.    The Pharisees accused the man of being an illegitimate child and thinking he knew more than they did.  They threw the man out. 

“Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when he had found him, he said unto him, Dost thou believe on the Son of God?

He answered and said, Who is he, Lord, that I might believe on him?

And Jesus said unto him, Thou hast both seen him, and it is he that talketh with thee.

And he said, Lord, I believe. And he worshipped him.” (John 9:35-38)

After the man had been thrown out, Jesus asked him if he believed in the Messiah, the man asked who he was so he could believe.  When he learned it was Jesus himself he had no doubt that it was true.  He worshipped him. 

“And Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind.

And some of the Pharisees which were with him heard these words, and said unto him, Are we blind also?

Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth.” (John 9:39-41)

Jesus said he had come into the world for the purpose of enabling those who had no idea the truth to understand it and showing that those who thought they knew it all knew nothing.  Some of the Pharisees challenged his statement, asking if he thought they were blind to the truth.  Jesus said if they were truly ignorant, they would be open to learn the truth.  Because they were convinced they knew the truth, they would not listen to the truth and they were thus guilty.  A person can be excused for not knowing, but there is no excuse for a person who refuses to even consider the facts.    They have chosen to remain ignorant.