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Today's Little Lift

    by Jim Bullington

There Was a Division (John 9:16)
Date Posted: August 26, 2020

“They brought him who formerly was blind to the Pharisees. Now it was a Sabbath when Jesus made the clay and opened his eyes. Then the Pharisees also asked him again how he had received his sight. He said to them, ‘He put clay on my eyes, and I washed, and I see.’ Therefore some of the Pharisees said, ‘This Man is not from God, because He does not keep the Sabbath.’ Others said, ‘How can a man who is a sinner do such signs?’ And there was a division among them." (John 9.13-16).

The previous paragraph is taken from one of the most dramatic, and at the same time humorous, chapters in the Bible. The drama unfolds as Jesus displays His unequalled power in healing a blind man, and the humor unfolds as spiritually-blind men attempt to explain away the miracle [If you have time, I would encourage you to read this chapter now, but if not now, make it a point to do so soon]. There was no question that a man had been made whole who could not previously see. Nor was there a real question as to who had made him whole. The diametrically opposed conclusions are the point of interest in today’s message.

Some people said, “This Man [Jesus] is not from God, because He does not keep the Sabbath.” Others said, “How can a man who is a sinner do such signs?” The first conclusion completely discounted the possibility that Jesus was from God and did so based on a flawed interpretation of scripture. The entire syllogism of thought went like this: All men who perform miracles on the Sabbath are men who are not from God [Major Premise]. This Man [Jesus] performs miracles on the Sabbath [Minor Premise]. Therefore, this Man is not from God [Conclusion].

The second conclusion which people reached was stated in the form of a question and it allowed that miracles were confirmatory in nature and that men who performed them were from God. The complete syllogism of thought went like this: All men who perform legitimate miracles are men from God [Major Premise]. This Man [Jesus] performed a legitimate miracle [Minor Premise]. Therefore, this Man is a Man from God [Conclusion].

Those who reached the first conclusion deemed a person’s interpretation of scripture to be of more evidentiary weight than a miracle. In other words, those who reached the first conclusion said, “I will not change my view of scripture regarding the Sabbath day even if a miracle is performed which shows my interpretation to be wrong!” Those who reached the conclusion that Jesus was not from God did so because they valued their own interpretation of scripture above what God declared and confirmed as true by miracle. To put it mildly, they were “stuck on themselves.”

Those who reached the second conclusion deemed a person’s interpretation of scripture, even though it may have been reached carefully and with sincerity of heart, to be potentially flawed. Furthermore, they understood that God had the final word and not man! His final word, of course, was delivered and confirmed by the signs and wonders performed by the first century apostles and prophets. When it comes to infallible interpretations of scripture, there is but one, and that is God’s. This does not relieve me from making the best judgments I know how, but it should also remind me that I must be open to rethink and restudy when circumstances warrant.

Only the spiritually-blind close their eyes to evidence and stop learning. The Pharisees who condemned Jesus had done just that! Never let it be said that we as Christians occupy that seat!

Questions:

1. Is it wrong to reason and draw conclusions from scripture? Must truth always be explicitly stated?

2. When we form conclusions such as the Pharisees formed, how can we guard against reaching incorrect conclusions and making incorrect applications?

3. What attribute was lacking in the Pharisees who condemned Jesus which would have prevented their reaching of incorrect and damning conclusions?

4. Are divisions such as we saw in today’s text necessary? Are divisions of God? How could the division spoken of in this passage have been avoided?

"'Winging It" from Stan Smith

The Word of God

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Biography Information:
Jim Bullington - A Christian writer whose insight into the scriptures is reflected in practical application lessons in every article. The reader will find that the Bible speaks directly to him/her through these articles. God is always exalted and His word is treated with the utmost respect in this column.
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