How can Jesus cause you to see and become blind?
In this Chapter of John we see Jesus as he heals a man born blind to be an example to the man's neighbors and the Pharisees. We also witness how this man comes to know Christ through his miraculous healing.
It begins in the first 3 verses as the disciples question Jesus about the blind man’s sin. They assume that either it was the parents or the man's sin that caused his suffering but Jesus answers there was no sin. Jesus knew that the man was born blind specifically to be an example. The man would be used in God's plan at His timing to display His work. Jesus uses this moment to teach his followers that He is the light and he and his followers must do God’s will while the light is present. He goes on to place mud on the man's eyes and restore his site. This miracle sets off a series of events. In verses 8 through 12 we see the man's neighbors in astonishment question what had happened and the man takes the opportunity to tell them that the man they call Jesus heeled him.
Jesus reveals to us in this passage a key truth that all Christian must accept and find peace in. Believers have trials in life so that the work of God may be displayed. Although all of us are guilty on some level of causing our own suffering through poor choices, sometimes our suffering is not self induced. Suffering is not always the result of a person's sin. We have trials and we have triumphs. In both God wants us to honor Him, do His will and further His kingdom.
Do you honor God with praise and Glory for both the trials and the triumphs in your life… understanding that he has a purpose for both? Do others see the work of God born out in your life during both the good and the bad times?
In the next section of verses we see the Pharisees investigating the healing of the blind man. Read verses 13 through 34. In this section the blind man is brought twice before the Pharisees and each time answers them in truth. The first time that they bring the man before the Pharisees he is questioned because it was the Sabbath and he tells them how he was heeled. We see the Pharisees divided, some think Jesus a sinner while others wonder about his miracles. As they question him the blind man tells them that Jesus is a prophet and they send him away. These answers do not satisfy the Pharisees. It is an affront to their own belief system and authority within the Jewish community so they send for the parents, but they deny Christ for fear of excommunication. As the Jewish leaders revel in their disbelief, they summon the blind man again to question him. He can only tell the truth. He knows one thing… "I was blind and now can see!" As they rebuke him the blind man goes on further to tell them that "Jesus could do nothing if he was not from God." For this we see that he was thrown out of the synagogue.
In the last section we learned that suffering is not always a result of a person's sin. In this section we see how faith factors into a persons life. It allows us to witness and it also protects us from judgement. Those who refuse to see are under judgement just like the Pharisees. Lack of faith leads to a lack of witness just like we see with the blind man's parents. As the blind man is brought twice before the Pharisees he answers them in truth. Jesus gives true Christians words of truth to speak in witness to unbelievers.
What words is Jesus giving to you and who is he laying on your heart to speak with this week?
In the last verses of John 9 we see how Jesus brings the healed man to full faith in Him. Jesus finds the man and asks him if he believes in the Son of Man. Through this discussion, the blind man sees Christ, tells Him he believes in him and then worships him. Jesus goes on to tell us that he has come into the world for judgments sake so the blind may see and by seeing they may become blind. In their unbelief, the Pharisees ask if they are blind and Jesus answers that because they claim they can see they are guilty.
Out of this last section we learn several key truths. Jesus finds the blind man and is worshipped by him and then tells of his judgment on those who claim to see. We learn that Jesus has come so the spiritually blind may see and those who see will become blind. God causes suffering to work for His good. The blind man suffered. He was thrown out of the synagogue. He was disowned by his friends and neighbors. He suffered but in the end he came to truly know Christ as his lord and savior.
In the end, claiming you can see is not the same as being given site by Jesus. Do you believe in the Son of Man? Do you know that your guilt remains if you are merely claiming belief in Him?
Read through this passage again. Who do you identify with most. Who is your life most like... the neighbors of the blind man, the blind man's parents, the Jews and the Pharisees or perhaps the blind man himself? Jesus teaches us in this passage about suffering and judgement. Are you confused about Him? He does not want you to be. He yearns to know you on His terms through a change in your heart. Will you pray for the Holy Spirit to be at work in your heart this week and that you would have more incite into who Jesus is and what He wants for you in this life?
Amen
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