Cast Out!

Unbelievable! The religious leaders cast out the blind man! Why? After being healed by Jesus, and giving the glory to God, he was rejected from the Jewish synagogue.

30 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.
31 Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth.
32 Since the world began was it not heard that any man opened the eyes of one that was born blind.
33 If this man were not of God, he could do nothing.
34 They answered and said unto him, Thou wast altogether born in sins, and dost thou teach us? And they cast him out.
(John 9:30-34, King James Version)

Cast Out

Have you ever heard the saying, "The answer was as plain as the nose on his face."? I cannot think of a more apt description for the religious leaders questioning the blind man in John 9. Look at verses 30-33, again.

30The 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.
31Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth.
32Since the world began was it not heard that any man opened the eyes of one that was born blind.
33If this man were not of God, he could do nothing.

Look at the haughty reply of the Jewish leaders. They answered and said unto him, Thou wast altogether born in sins, and dost thou teach us? And they cast him out. Imagine being cast out for giving glory to God for the healing of his eyes by Jesus!

Through such experiences as this, the early church was born. I find it interesting that, though the Jewish leaders opposed Jesus, He still attended the synagogues and spoke when He was able. It was a practice that the Apostle Paul also continued when he traveled on his missionary journeys.

We must remember, though Bible believing churches are scattered among many denominations, we have one God, and their is one church consisting of all true believers. In my younger days, I was staunchly a member of one group, believing that there were no Christians in any other types of churches. Imagine my surprise as I came upon more and more people throughout my life, who were real Christians, as was obvious by their faith in Christ, and yet they were not of that one denomination.

I believe in Biblical integrity, and am a member of a church which is faithful to the Bible, but I no longer believe that there are no Christians elsewhere. Just that one thought is a great liberty. I have wonderful fellowship with believers from many different types of churches.

Let us pray, today, that God would help us to live faithfully before Him, seeking to do His will, and not spend wasted time wrangling with other professing believers.

Oh, how I long for heaven, when all believers will be united before God!

Next: Are We Blind? John 9:35-41