SCRIPTURE: JOHN 9
JESUS HEALS A MAN BORN BLIND (vs. 1-34)
There was a man who was blind from birth. When they saw him, the disciples of Jesus asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus answered: “Neither this man nor his parents sinned but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life. As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” (vs. 3-5). Then Jesus spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva and put it on the man’s yes. He told him to wash in the Pool of Siloam. So the man went and washed and came home seeing. His neighbors and those who had formerly seen him begging asked, “Isn’t this the same man who used to sit and beg?” (v. 8). Some claimed that he was while others said he only looks like him. But he himself insisted, “I am the man” (v. 9) They asked him: “How then were your eyes opened?” He replied, ”
The man they call Jesus made some mud and put it on my eyes. He told me to go to Siloam and wash. So I went and washed, and then i could see.” (v. 11). “Where is this man?” they asked him. He said, “I don’t know” (v.12)
THE PHARISEES INVESTIGATE THE HEALING (vs. 13-41)
They brought the man who had been blind to the Pharisees. But since Jesus healed him on the Sabbath day, some of the Pharisees said that this man is not from God, for he does not keep the Sabbath. But others asked, “How can a sinner do such miraculous signs?” (v. 16) And they turned to the blind man and asked him. The man replied, “He is a prophet.” (v. 17) The Jews still did not believe so they inquired his parents. The parents confirmed that he was their sons and was born blind but they do not know who opened his eyes. So they summoned for the second time the man who had been blind and said. “We know this man is a sinner.” (v. 24). He replied, “Whether he is a sinner or not, I don’t know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!”(v. 25). Then they asked him, “What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes>” (v. 26). He answered, :I have told you already and you did not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you want to become his disciples, too?” (v. 27). Then they hurled insults at him and said, “You are this fellow’s disciple! We are disciples of Moses! We know that God spoke to Moses, but as for this fellow, we don’t even know where he comes from.” (v. 29). Theo man answered, :”Now that is remarkable! You don’t know where he comes from, yet he opened my eyes. We know that God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the godly man who does his will. Nobody has ever heard of opening the eyes of a man born blind. If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.” (v. 33). To this they replied, “You were steeped in sin at birth; how dare you lecture us?” (v. 34) And so they threw him out.
SPIRITUAL BLINDNESS (vs. 33-41)
Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, and when he found him, he said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” (v. 33) the man asked, “Who is he, sir?” Tell me so that I may believe in him” (v. 36) Jesus said, “You have now seen him; in fact, he is the one speaking with you.” (v. 37) Then the man said, “:Lord, I believe” (v. 38) and he worshiped him. Jesus said, “For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind.” (v. 39).. Some Pharisees who were with him heard him say this and asked, “What? Are we blind too?” (v. 40). Jesus said, “If you were blind, you would not be guilty of sin; but now that you claim you can see, your guilt remains.” (v. 41)
THOUGHTS:
In Jewish culture,, they believe that calamity or suffering was the result of some great sin. but Jesus used this man’s suffering to teach ab out faith and to glorify God. In this fallen world, good behavior is not always rewarded and bad behavior not always punished. Therefore, innocent people sometimes suffer. Regardless of the reasons for our suffering, Jesus has the power to help us deal with it. When you are suffering from a disease, tragedy or disability, ask God to give you strength for the trial.
The Pharisees made a long list of specific dos ands don’ts regarding the Sabbath. Kneading the clay and healing the man were considered work and therefore forbidden. Jesus purposely made the clay in order to emphasize his teaching about the Sabbath – that it is right to care for other’s needs even if it involves working on a day of rest.
The blind man did not know why and how he was healed. But he knew that his life had miraculously changed and he was not afraid to tell the truth. You don’t know to know all the answers in order to share the Gospel. It is important to tell them how he has changed your life. Then trust that God will use your words to help others believe in Him also.
Because of the man’s new faith in Christ, he was cursed and evicted from the synagogue. Persecution may come when you follow Jesus. You may lose friends, but no one can ever take away the eternal life that Jesus gives you.
The Pharisees were shocked when Jesus considered them spiritually blinded. to those who remain open and recognize how sin had truly blinded them from knowing the truth, he gave spiritual understanding and insight. But he rejected those who had become complacent and self-satisfied.