What’s Your Attitude? Watch Your Attitude!

Introduction The Gospel of John presents an abridged version of Jesus’ ministry, focusing on select miracles and certain messages of the Lord Jesus, selected for the purpose of instilling faith in the readers (John 20:30-31).

Introduction John chapter 9 is significant in several ways. It records a notable miracle of the Lord, but also sheds light upon the differing attitudes of men. Studying this chapter, we recognize the importance of asking, “What’s Your Attitude?” and heeding the admonition, “Watch Your Attitude!”

The Disciples (vv. 1-2) The disciples, seeing a man blind from birth, asked, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he would be born blind?” In doing so, they expressed a commonly held misconception, held even today, that all suffering is directly caused by men or God, resulting from our evil choices, or God’s cruelty.

The Lord Jesus (vv. 3-5) First, Jesus addresses the misunderstanding: “It was neither that this man sinned, nor his parents; but it was so that the works of God might be displayed in him.”

The Lord Jesus (vv. 3-5) Secondly, He demonstrates a remarkable attitude toward the Messianic responsibilities that God placed upon Him: “We must work the works of Him who sent Me as long as it is day; night is coming when no one can work. While I am in the world, I am the Light of the world.”

The Blind Man (vv. 6-7) Despite being subjected to strange treatment, and having received instructions that he might not have fully understood, nevertheless, the blind man obeyed the Lord’s command.

The Neighbors & Others (vv. 8-12) His neighbors and other observers debated the meaning of this marvelous event, questioning the identity of the man, and asking about Jesus. The intent of miracles was to cause people to think, question their assumptions, and seriously reflect upon the implications of such marvelous events.

The Pharisees (vv. 13-17) Manifesting a perverse consistency, most Pharisees rejected the obvious implications of the miracle, denouncing Jesus because He did not conform to their human understanding of Scripture.

The Parents (vv. 18-23) The parents of the blind man demonstrate cowardice, being afraid of the Jews, because the corrupt religious hierarchy had let it be known that anyone who confessed Jesus to be the Christ would be put out of the synagogue.

The Pharisees (vv. 24-34) Not content with their initial skeptical response, the Pharisees compound their sin by maliciously berating the blind man, rejecting the truth clearly manifested by Jesus’ miracle, and, ultimately, casting the man out of their presence, and possibly, excommunicating him from the synagogue.

The Lord Jesus (vv. 35-41) Hearing of these events, Jesus found the man whom He had healed, and over the course of their discussion, led him to openly confess his faith and freely worship. The chapter concludes with Jesus’ statement regarding His mission: “For judgment I came into this world…” and his denunciation of human obstinacy and willful blindness (John 9:39-41).

Conclusion Having created mankind with a free will, God allows us to choose the path of obedience or rebellion, but will respond accordingly, with blessing or cursing, reward or punishment. Let us, therefore, choose life and the free gift of God (Deut. 30:19-20; Rom. 6:16-18, 20-23).