INTIMIDATION. The hostile section sought to overbear the man’s judgment by their superior knowledge and position. They, the heaven-appointed leaders of the people and guardians of morality, were satisfied that Christ was a sinner. He had broken the Sabbath by manufacturing clay and spreading it over the man’s eyes as an artizan might have plastered it upon a wall. Consequently there could have been no such thing as a miracle; and he had better confess himself a deceiver and Christ an impostor (Joh_9:24). To all this the man opposes his personal experience (Joh_9:25).
II. ENTANGLEMENT. By cross-examination they hoped to make him contradict himself (Joh_9:26). But the man, too clever to be caught by such an artifice (Pro_1:17), declined their invitation, reminding them that he had supplied all the information he possessed, and inquiring, with fine irony, if they desired to become Christ’s disciples (Joh_9:27).
III. REPROACH. They reviled Him as the follower, not of Moses, the great commissioner of Jehovah, but of a nameless fellow about whom no one knew anything (Joh_9:29). To this the man replied with crushing logic how no honest mind could evade the conclusion that Christ must at least be a prophet no less than Moses (Joh_9:30-33).
IV. EXPULSION. They could not answer the man’s syllogism, but they could do what foiled controversialists commonly do (Joh_9:34). Lessons:
1. The danger of approaching religious questions with pro-conceived notions.
2. The power Christianity has to convince all sincere inquirers of its heavenly origin.
3. The duty of standing true to Christ in the face of all opposition.
4. The certainty that Christ’s witnesses will suffer persecution.
5. The helplessness of man’s wisdom in opposing the truth. (T. Whitelaw, D. D.)
Types of character in relation to Christ’s work--Those who are consciously restored by it
We find the man doing two things which are done by all who are spiritually restored by Christ.
I. MAINTAINING TRUTH IN THE FACE OF FIERCE OPPOSITION. See how he holds his own.
1. In a noble spirit. His conduct stands in sublime contrast to that of his parents and others concerned. Mark
(1) His candour. Hearing men disputing, without hesitation he says “I am he.” Outspokenness is the ring of a great nature.
(2) His courage. In defiance of the Sanhedrim he declares that the hated Jesus was his Healer. The genuine alone are brave; honest souls dread a lie more than the frowns of a thousand despots.
(3) His consistency. In spite of all questions and browbeating, he never varies in his statements. Truth is that subtle element which alone gives unity to all the varied parts of a man’s life. Error makes man contradict himself. The whole subject shows us that there may be grandeur of soul where there is social obscurity and physical infirmity.
2. By sound argument.
(1) His answer was built upon consciousness (verse 25). The logic of a school of Aristotle’s could not disturb his conviction. It is so with a true Christian: he feels the change and no argument can touch it.
3. His argument was formulated by common sense. When his judges pressed him (verse 26) he reproves them for repeating questions already answered and with withering irony asks (verse 27). He states his argument thus: that his cure, of which he was conscious, was a miracle (verse 30), which they could not deny. Is it not a doctrine with you that no one without Divine authority can perform miracles? Why ask such questions? And not only has the Healer Divine authority but a holy character (verse 31).
II. FOLLOWING CHRIST WHEN CAST OUT FROM MEN. The best men in every age are “cast out” by the ungodly. But, when cast out, what became of him?
1. Christ sought him (verse 35), and found him out. Sometimes men have found Christ out by their own searching, e.g., Zacchaeus and Bartimaeus. But here Christ finds the man out, as He did the woman of Samaria, irrespective of His search.
2. Christ revealed Himself to him (verse 35-37).
3. Christ was followed by him (verse 38). (D. Thomas, D. D.)
Carping criticism
My hearers, this was a wretched business, was it not? It was a very poor business to go to the house of God to criticize a fellow mortal who is sincerely trying to do us good. Was it Carlyle who spoke of the cricket as chirping amid the crack of doom? I am apt to think that many people are like that cricket; they go on with their idle chit-chat when Christ Himself is set before them on the cross. Assuredly this is poor work. I am hungry; I come to a banquet; but instead of feasting upon the viands I begin to criticize the dress of the waiters, abuse the arrangements of the banqueting-hall, and vilify the provisions. I shall go home as hungry as I came; and who will be blamed for it? The best criticism that you can possibly give of your friend’s entertainment is to be hearty in partaking of it. The greatest honour that we can do to Christ Jesus is to feed upon Him, to receive Him, to trust Him, to live upon Him. Merely to carp and to question will bring no good to the most clever of you. How can it? It is a pitiful waste of time for yourself, and a trial of temper to others. (C. H.Spurgeon.)
