Jesus on the Sabbath – Part 11 – An Interrogation

jesus-the-grain-field Recently I penned a series of post on the Ten Commandments and as I was writing it, found that the Sabbath day was the only commandment not reapplied to believers in the New Testament.

In writing that series of posts, I was reminded that the Sabbath day was one of the main irritants between the Lord Jesus and the Pharisees.

Our last post described the seeing mans response to his neighbors. In this post, things heat up for this man, being brought in from on the religious leadership of the nation of Israel.

Hint – this guy is awesome!!

Interrogation

13 They brought to the Pharisees the man who had formerly been blind.

14 Now it was a Sabbath day when Jesus made the mud and opened his eyes.

It is interesting that John, the author of this gospel, links the Sabbath with the Pharisees. Up until now, the Sabbath hadn’t been a concern.

Not so now. Sabbath breaking was the expertise of the Pharisees. They would get to the bottom of it.

15 So the Pharisees again asked him how he had received his sight. And he said to them, “He put mud on my eyes, and I washed, and I see.”

Same story as to the neighbors. That is the beauty of telling the truth. No effort at repeating a story. Just repeat the facts.

16 Some of the Pharisees said, “This man is not from God, for he does not keep the Sabbath.” But others said, “How can a man who is a sinner do such signs?” And there was a division among them.

How does the keeping of the Sabbath become an issue with this miracle?

mud Mud production!

I couldn’t find anything directly related to this specific method of work being declared unlawful prior to this miracle. You see, I am not well read in the traditions of the elders.

I assume they saw this act of mercy upon the blind man, (but more importantly, a clear sign of Jesus as their Messiah – see previous post!) found some loop hole in the volumes of laws they had, and built an accusation.

Whoa Carl – Are you saying the Jewish leadership knew He was claiming to be the Messiah?

YES

And are you saying they sought to destroy Him because He was fulfilling the Messianic prophecies?

YES

How could they not?

Jesus was becoming more and more popular and divisive every day. If He succeeded in convincing the nation of His Messianic status, the Pharisees would loose all power prestige and honor. They ain’t gonna put up with that!

Divisive?

Yes, even amongst the Jewish leadership, there were a minority who considered the claims Jesus was making, and were opening their eyes.

Others within the leadership had to build a case against Him. This group saw His claims and the strength of His teaching and miracles, and could not allow it.

Seeing, they became blind. (John 9: 39)

As a side note, it is interesting that after the ministry of Christ, it appears that the Mishnah does forbid the healing of a blind man by this very method.

rules

“To heal a blind man on the Sabbath it is prohibited to inject wine in his eyes. It is also prohibited to make mud with spittle and smear it on his eyes” (Shabbat 108:20)

Gotta make them rules!!!

Our next post will enter into Luke 13:10-17. Hope to visit with you then.