Intro: The events of Ch.9 come right on the heals of the
events of Ch.8
A)Jesus
women adultery declaration of being the light of the World. { Stone him thru the midst
B) Now he is
going to give sight to a man living in darkness!
C)Every 20 minutes in the
1)It must be a horrible experience, but imagine the
person whos never seen at all
not a sunset
not a wave breaking
not a babys
smile or a childs giggle.
D)Such was the case with the
man in
RDV.1 2 Now as Jesus passed by, He
saw a man who was blind from birth. 2 And His disciples asked Him, saying,
"Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?"
Now it was the
common belief according to the rabbis that a person could sin in the womb
A)They believed this because of the story of Jacob and Esau
B) It was also
believed that sometimes Children were impacted by their parents sin
1)See today-
Crack babies / Aids babies
C)Imagine
the Condemnation this guy might have lived with thinking I did
something to cause this
D) Imagine
the potential for bitterness that was there thinking result of his
parents sin.
E)Imagine
what he carried with him in his heart his thoughts about God and his
fairness
1) Sat there each day at the steps of the temple begging
thinking is there really a god in there who cares
That is the idea that was being put forth by the Church
leaders
A)Sad today
when Church leaders promote those ideas Sick lack of faith / didnt tithe
stupid things
B) Its revealing that when Jesus first laid eyes on
this blind man He thought of alleviating His suffering
1) but His disciples first thought was on affixing
blame.
D)Jesus thought, How can I help? The disciples
Whos at fault?
1) What is
your attitude when run across a need?
Well Jesus reveals the fall in that whole type of
thinking. RD V.3-5
Jesus answered,
"Neither this man nor his parents sinned,/ but that the works of God should be revealed
in him. 4 I must work the works of Him who sent Me
while it is day;/ the night is coming when no one can work
The great
preacher G. Campbell Morgan suggest that there is a punctuation problem here. RD again
A)I agree that
I think that it reads better that way.
B) But either way Jesus reveals here that He is not
dealing with the cause of this mans suffering.
C) But rather
He is seizing the opportunity to do something that will bring glory to God.
We live in a fallen world where its residents are subject to
its fallout.
A)Birth
defects, terminal diseases, calamities of nature are not tragedies you can pin on a specific sin.
B) Part of the
fall We are all infected all dying
All
handicapped in someway.
Frank Anderson makes this statement, The Bible explains suffering, not so much in origins as in
goals. The purpose of pain is seen, not in its cause, but in its results. The
man was born blind so the works of God could be displayed in him.
C) This man
was born blind but the fact of the matter is we all
have our handicaps & defects
1) This man was healed God
was glorified
D) In your case God might be
glorified as His strength is revealed thru your weakness
1) Family
at
E) Our weakness / sickness/
handicap/ hang up can become an awesome opportunity for the work of God to be
revealed
1) That was definitely the
case here.
Neither he or his parents sinned Imagine the relief that
was to this mans ears
A)Question was asked I am
sure he thought oh no not again I know this tune
B) All the arguments all
the verses He is tired of this debate who sinned
C) Neither
. but that the works of God should be
revealed in him. 4 I must work the works of Him who sent Me
while it is day;/ the night is coming when no one can work
D) I am sure he was thinking
who is this man talking -
5
As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world."
Now
this is what He taught in
A)He wasnt the Physical light but He
was the spiritual light
B) This blind man that is going to be
healed is a sign of that truth
1)This is not a random healing
C) This guy has been there a long time
and the religious leaders knew him Jesus is going to use this!
1) Object lesson.
6 When He had said these
things, He spat on the ground and made clay with the saliva; and He anointed
the eyes of the blind man with the clay. 7 And He said to him, "Go, wash
in the pool of Siloam" (which is translated, Sent). So he went and washed,
and came back seeing.
Now lets notice a few things here: Why did Jesus use spit
Why make mud.
A)I dont know
really- Many opinions
B) One
commentator: - Man is made of clay Jesus was trying to show the reason for
spiritual blindness
1) Our Sinful
humanity
C) Some of the early Church Fathers interpreted this in
light of
1)Jesus was
making new eyes
D) Salvia was
used medicinally in Jesus day- thought to have healing powers
1) Some have suggested- Jesus was putting his stamp
of approval on the medical knowledge of the day.
E)Maybe it
was done to shake up the religious leaders Making mud on the Sabbath
1)Considered a
sin
F) To be
honest We dont know for sure not told only guess maybe all those reasons
/ maybe none
But I do know this: Jesus rarely did anything the same way
twice-Only time Mud-
No formulas {
Healing circuit Mud Smith Wigglesworth glasses and Crutches followers
A)Also note He often gave people something to do in order to
exercise their faith Go wash
B) Go to the
pool of the sent one ! You want to be
healed put feet to your faith
1)Believe
& follow my word
C) Always the
same with us the work of God is so often connected to our believing and
obeying.
2 things give this guy the incentive to go!
A)One the
gracious words neither
sinned
B) Necessity
He has mud all over him.
C) So He goes
to the pool and washes eyes are opened
Again Imagine His reaction: WOW! Yelling
A)Glimmer of
light/ - Never seen water
1) His own
fingers / his reflection in the water
2) Flowers
3) Sparrow
heard so thats what looked like
B) I picture
this guy cruising down the street looking at everyone everything
1) Face full
of Joy - That is when his neighbors see
him
8 Therefore the neighbors and those who previously had
seen that he was blind said, "Is not this he who sat and begged?"
9 Some said, "This is he." Others said, "He is like him." [while they are debating] He said, "I am he."
How Crazy is
this this guy can finally see and no one recognizes him.
Now if you have ever seen those make over shows it is
interesting People ask who is that?
A)Thru all the
surgeries they make a person look completely different not the same person.
B) Like
married to someone else at least on the outside.
Family
Like the Beverly Hillbillies 1st time in a
city Elevator Dad let out in walks old lady out comes a super model- Dad says go get your mama
Man is
obsessed with the outside God inside
So in this guys case This guy looked the same but now He
is seeing.
A)Good picture
of what happens when someone is born again
B) They look the same on the outside but now they are
seeing/ Life is seen from a whole new perspective
1) How they
now see affects their behavior
C) New
Priorities are the result New passions / pursuits
1) A whole new
way of conducting ourselves.
D) So He is
seeing putting faces to voices so that is what Frank looks like I had
better pray for him
10
Therefore they said to him, "How were your eyes opened?"
The Disciples asked Why was the man born blind ?
The crowd asked How did this happen?
A)Both groups
missed the most important question Who?
B) Now we are
going to get closer V.11
11
He answered and said,"A Man called
Jesus made clay and anointed my eyes and said to me, 'Go to the pool of
Siloam and wash.' So I went and washed, and I received sight."
Now I want you to notice how this mans perception of Jesus
GROWS in this story.
A)Here he
calls Jesus simply a man called Jesus
B) Also interesting
to note this man omitted part of the story.
1)He
said Jesus made clay but failed to say how He did it. Why?
C)Because, he was blind when
Jesus spat in the ground, he didnt see it.
1)In
other words, he didnt see exactly how the miracle took place. He just knew it
did.
D)So, too, we have felt the
Lords touch on our lives. Exactly how it happened,
we are at a loss to explain.
1)We
only know that, after walking in darkness from birth, like the blind man, we
received sight
12
Then they said to him, "Where is He?" He said, "I do not
know."
C) This is again hilarious I dont know I was blind
when He sent me dont know what He looks like
D) Again imagine the questioning they are throwing all
these questions at him
1) He cant
stop looking at them looking around
SENSORY
OVERLOAD HERE
13 They brought him who
formerly was blind to the Pharisees. 14 Now it was a Sabbath when Jesus
made the clay and opened his eyes.
It was against the Sabbath day traditions to make mud. {
Spit only on a Rock
A)Remember
Sabbath was made for man day of rest / reflection/ refreshing
B) Sabbath was
made for man not man for the Sabbath.
C) So once
again instead of being excited that a man born blind was healed the Pharisees
are angry that their Sabbath rule was broken.
APP Now it is interesting to me that Jesus keeps doing this
healing on the Sabbath
A)Make note of
this: whenever God repeats himself in your life-- Realize He is trying to teach
you something
B) Same
message from different people.
1) Same trial
different person or venue
C) Often what
that means is you didnt get it the first time and because God is committed
to your growth
1) He is going
to bring you thru that again.
15 Then the Pharisees also
asked him again how he had received his sight. He said to them, "He put
clay on my eyes, and I washed, and I see."
16
Therefore some of the Pharisees said, "This Man is not from God, because
He does not keep the Sabbath."
Others
said,"How can a man who is a sinner do such
signs?" And there was a division among them.
Hopefully
Nic / Joseph of Ari. But for the majority of them they cant
recognize the work of God because they are blind by the traditions they hold
sacred.
This man has
received his sight all they can think about is that Jesus made mud on the
Sabbath
17
They said to the blind man again, "What do you say about Him because He
opened your eyes?"
He
said,"He is a prophet." [Growing]
What happens next is hilariously sad it is comical and
tragic v.18
18 But the Jews did not
believe concerning him, that he had been blind and received his sight, until
they called the parents of him who had received his sight.
Not
only do we think that Jesus is not a prophet we dont even believe this guy
was really born blind.
A)Go and get
his parents
B) Those who
are against Jesus the work of God will do anything to explain away the
miraculous
C) Once again I want you to picture the scene he is seeing
his parents for the first time
1) Moms touch
and voice for decades now he is seeing her face his dads
D)Must have
been quite emotional at first they forget all about the Pharisees
1) Hugs /
tears / shouts
E) The
celebration is interrupted when the religious leaders ask
19 And they asked them,
saying, "Is this your son, who you say was born blind? How then does he
now see?"
20 His parents answered
them and said, "We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind;
21 but by what means he now sees we do not know, or who opened his eyes we do
not know. He is of age; ask him.
He will speak for
himself." 22 His parents said these things because they feared the Jews,
for the Jews had agreed already that if anyone confessed that He was Christ, he
would be put out of the synagogue. [Excommunicated]
C) Again this is hilarious Yea this is our son He is old
enough ask him
1) What is sad is why they reacted this way: Not so
much as to stand up for their son but because of fear
D)Sad when Men with Power Cause the people of God to react
in fear so not the Lord
23 Therefore his parents said, "He is of
age; ask him." 24 So they again called the man who was blind, and said to him,"Give God the glory! [Putting him under oath here- anathema for lying under oath this is
the idea here]
We know that this Man is a
sinner." 25 He answered and said,
"Whether He is a sinner or not I do not know. One thing I know: that
though I was blind, now I see." Great so
simple the power of a personal testimony A CHANGED life!
You have a
testimony Saved out of the pit
Some saved
from the pit A story Me angry
People can argue theology
& interpretations but are speechless when confronted w/the reality of a
changed life.
Live
in such a way that ones life would not make sense if God didnt exist!
Cardinal Suhard
Chuck
Swindoll asks, Is your
life a cold monument to religious duty, or is it a living mystery?
26 Then they said to him
again, "What did He do to you? How did He open your eyes?"
27 He answered them,
"I told you already, and you did not listen. Why do you want to hear it
again? Do you also want to become His disciples?"
[Again growing also
a disciple implying he had
decided to become a disciple of Jesus]
He opened my
eyes maybe he can open your ears
28
Then they reviled him and said, "You are His disciple, but we are
Moses' disciples. 29 We know that God spoke to Moses; as for this fellow, we do
not know where He is from."
The Disciple becomes the teacher!
30
The man answered and said to them,"Why, this is
a marvelous thing, that you do not know where He is from; yet He has opened my
eyes!
[Who cares
where He is from]
31 Now we know that God
does not hear sinners; but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does His will,
He hears him. 32 Since the world began it has been unheard of that anyone
opened the eyes of one who was born blind. 33 If this Man were not from God, He
could do nothing."
I am blind and
I know enough to know that this has never happened before. Someone opened the
eyes of a person who was BORN BLIND!
This
is perhaps the greatest miracle the nation has ever seen.
Jesus has to
be from God or else He could do nothing.
This is like giving someone a diamond and having them reject
it because the Box it came in was plastic
34
They answered and said to him,"You were
completely born in sins, and are you teaching us?" And they cast him out.
- Excommunicated
Now this is my Favorite part of this story:
Jesus finds the man The man finds the Messiah
V.35
Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when He had found him,
A)The idea here
is that Jesus heard that the guy had been cast out He went looking for Him
until He found him.
He said to him, "Do
you believe in the Son of God?"
36 He answered and said,
"Who is He, Lord, that I may believe in Him?"
37 And Jesus said to him,
"You have both seen Him and it is He who is talking with you." 38 Then he said, "Lord, I believe!"
And he worshiped Him.
The
Old axiom goes, Seeing is Believing, but
here we read that Believing is Seeing!
B) Truth is
revealed he responds in Faith and worship
C) Final mark of His growth Calls Jesus Lord believes and Worships
1)Doesnt get
any better than that!
The Chapter
ends in Contrast On the one hand you have the man born blind who is now
seeing in more ways than one. - Physically
& spiritually
And on the
other hand you have the religious leaders who though seeing physically they
were still blind spiritually.
.
Here we are given four features of spiritual blindness
1)Spiritual
blindness receives Judgment
39 And Jesus said,
"For judgment I have come into this world, that those who do not see may
see, and that those who see may be made blind."
Those who
admit their spiritual blindness can find sight in Jesus. But, those who falsely
claim to have spiritual sight will be made blind.
2)Spiritual
blindness refuses to see its condition.
40 Then some of the
Pharisees who were with Him heard these words, and said to Him, "Are we
blind also?"
Spurgeon
It is not our littleness that
hinders Christ; but our bigness. It is not our weakness that hinders Christ; it is our
strength. It is not our darkness that hinders Christ; it is our supposed light that holds back His hand.
These guys were too big and too smart in their own eyes
to really see
3)Spiritual
blindness rejects spiritual sight.
41 Jesus said to them,
"If you were blind, you would have no sin
Jesus point?
if the Pharisees were to confess that they were really blind they could be set
free from their sin.
4)Spiritual
Blindness results in doom.
; but now you say, 'We
see.' Therefore your sin remains