John 10:1-21
“Notice what you notice.” These are not the words of one who is oppressed by a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind? (v. 21) The previous two verses pointed to a division among the Jews (the Jewish leaders) in their reaction to Jesus’ parable of the Good Shepherd. What’s interesting about the quote above is Jesus’ two-fold witness to those who might believe – His words and His actions.
First, Jesus’ words were not the same words being spoken by the Jewish leaders. My guess is that their focus was on preaching the Law and maintaining their adherence to the Law – and castigating others whom they might suspect of breaking their rules. Jesus’ words, however, were based in love, in protecting His own and in calling others to Himself. In His words He was not breaking the Law, but He was certainly putting a new twist on it, or speaking words completely outside any Law discussion, and the Jews had no answer for Him.
Second, Jesus’ actions — in this case healing a man born blind… I have already commented extensively on my own perspective on this miracle. Clearly some of the Jewish leaders and crowd followers were equally astonished at this outcome, with a beginning and an ending (“I was blind, but now I see”) that they could not refute. Powerful!
We also have the same two-fold witness, our words and our actions – our walk and our talk. I am proud to be connected with you folks for whom I see Jesus within.
Slava Bohu!