The Lord Jesus heals a blind man. An interesting dialogue occurs with the religious hierarchy. Praise God our Lord is the same yesterday, today and forever. May the blind continue to receive their sight.
John 9: Jesus Heals a Man Born Blind
1 As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth.
2 And his disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?"
3 Jesus answered, "It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him.
4 We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work.
5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world."
6 Having said these things, he spat on the ground and made mud with the saliva. Then he anointed the man's eyes with the mud
7 and said to him, "Go, wash in the pool of Siloam" (which means Sent). So he went and washed and came back seeing.
8 The neighbours and those who had seen him before as a beggar were saying, "Is this not the man who used to sit and beg?"
9 Some said, "It is he." Others said, "No, but he is like him." He kept saying, "I am the man."
10 So they said to him, "Then how were your eyes opened?"
11 He answered, "The man called Jesus made mud and anointed my eyes and said to me, 'Go to Siloam and wash.' So I went and washed and received my sight."
12 They said to him, "Where is he?" He said, "I do not know."
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.
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."
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.
17 So they said again to the blind man, "What do you say about him, since he has opened your eyes?" He said, "He is a prophet."
18 The Jews did not believe that he had been blind and had received his sight, until they called the parents of the man who had received his sight
19 and asked them, "Is this your son, who you say was born blind? How then does he now see?"
20 His parents answered, "We know that this is our son and that he was born blind.
21 But how he now sees we do not know, nor do we know who opened his eyes. Ask him; he is of age. He will speak for himself."
22 (His parents said these things because they feared the Jews, for the Jews had already agreed that if anyone should confess Jesus to be Christ, he was to be put out of the synagogue.)
23 Therefore his parents said, "He is of age; ask him."
24 So for the second time they called the man who had been blind and said to him, "Give glory to God. We know that this man is a sinner."
25 He answered, "Whether he is a sinner I do not know. One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see."
26 They said to him, "What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?"
27 He answered them, "I have told you already, and you would not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you also want to become his disciples?"
28 And they reviled him, saying, "You are his disciple, but we are disciples of Moses.
29 We know that God has spoken to Moses, but as for this man, we do not know where he comes from."
30 The man answered, "Why, this is an amazing thing! You do not know where he comes from, and yet he opened my eyes.
31 We know that God does not listen to sinners, but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does his will, God listens to him.
32 Never since the world began has it been heard that anyone opened the eyes of a man born blind.
33 If this man were not from God, he could do nothing."
34 They answered him, "You were born in utter sin, and would you teach us?" And they cast him out.
35 Jesus heard that they had cast him out, and having found him he said, "Do you believe in the Son of Man?"
36 He answered, "And who is he, sir, that I may believe in him?"
37 Jesus said to him, "You have seen him, and it is he who is speaking to you."
38 He said, "Lord, I believe," and he worshiped him.
39 Jesus said, "For judgment I came into this world, that those who do not see may see, and those who see may become blind."
40 Some of the Pharisees near him heard these things, and said to him, "Are we also blind?"
41 Jesus said to them, "If you were blind, you would have no guilt; but now that you say, 'We see,' your guilt remains.
Things to think about…
The question is still asked today, “Who sinned, this man or his parents…” In all likelihood this man heard their question as he would have had more acute hearing and the conversation happens while Jesus immediately applies the saliva and mud mix to the blind man’s eyes. No doubt the blind man would have been burdened by guilt and depressed having heard the same question or variants of it his whole life. He is not healed straight away but is obedient to do to the Pool of Siloam and wash. He has nothing to lose. We often want to put blame on someone for a tragedy. Jesus says no-one sinned, but simply responds by saying, “but that the works of God might be displayed in him,” vs 3. Why do all things happen, including things that are difficult to accept or understand? Eg the invasion and murder of civilians in Ukraine, the murder of Syrian and Assyrian Christians by ISIS a few years ago for example, or even accidents where it ends in tragedy. Why are women losing their lives in Iran, why must people suffer and die before their time? I believe Jesus’ answer would still be the same for us. These things happen for the Lord’s glory. He will do right. We take Him at His word. Though this is a difficult truth at times, the truth remains. One day our Lord will wipe away every tear, Rev 21:4.
The Pharisees ask this man twice how he got healed, vs 17. The miracle was more extraordinary because it happened on the Sabbath, vs 14. He says that he has already told them and then he says (I believe sarcastically), “do you also want to be His disciples”, Jn 9:27. They then tell him, that he was born in ‘utter’ sin and that the man who healed him is a sinner because He fails to keep the Sabbath. They are calling what was good, evil. The man who was healed knew the truth about his blindness – he once was blind, but now he sees. Once we have a testimony in Christ no-one can convince us otherwise. John Newton’s famous hymn, Amazing Grace takes from this story in John 9:25 and applies it to the fact that our eyes are opened spiritually to see Jesus as our Lord and Saviour.
Do you blame this man’s parents for their response, Jn 9:21, 22? The blind man was cast out vs 34, this involved a physical and social rejection. There was now no more acceptance for this man from the religious hierarchy and came at great personal cost. His parents were not prepared to take that step. Their son had received his sight – he knew what he was saved from. He told the truth about Jesus and was cast out. May we continue to have this man’s faith. We know what we are saved from and the world no longer has any attraction for us. We now see clearly.
We see this man’s testimony to the religious hierarchy in John 9:27-34. He is both bold and direct as he schools the Pharisees on the clear power and truth of what happened to him and power of the One who healed him. Christ’s healing power should also be evident in our lives through our testimony. The man is cast out of the synagogue for his troubles. He is then not to be greeted by people. He is an outcast, vs 22. But what is this loss in the light of such great gain!
Jesus introduces Himself formally to the blind man and he accepts Jesus as the Son of Man (the Messiah), Jn 9:35, 36. Some Pharisees overhear his confession – Jesus tells them that they are the ones who remain blind even though they see in an earthly sense. Jesus says “your guilt remains”, Jn 9:41. Pride never allows us to fully see who Christ truly is. When this condition persists, we have a false image of ourselves while earthly pride remains. Pray this may be completely removed from our eyes and that we may be faithful guides to others.
Vision Point for cell groups
CBC’s Vision :- To be a growing biblical church community, significantly influencing our city and beyond, through intentional outreach, fulfilling our mission.
Title was “Who would want to be an elder” – Reading Ezekiel 14:1-11
1. Judgement had come upon Jerusalem. The year was 592BC. But further judgement was about to happen in 587/6BC. This was due to corrupt leadership. What was the problem that Ezekiel’s vision (the Lord) is addressing?
2. What idols do we see in the religious and secular world today? What idols do we have personally?
3. God gives life. The people of God rise up from death to life, similar to the vision Ezekiel had of Israel and the valley of the dry bones in Ezek 37. Israel would be restored. We are also restored even after rebellion and idol worship. Discuss how this has happened for Israel, but also for the church in the west.
4. Pray for each other and the outreach of the gospel
Prayer Points
1. Pray for the people of Iran. There is horrible oppression of women who are being beaten and killed by a corrupt government, simply for refusing to wear a head covering.
2. Pray for safety as people go on holidays and return.
3. The right choice for a full time Youth and Young Adults Pastor to start Jan 2023 and the finances to support them.
4. More young families and youth into the church.
5. Ministry leaders within the church.
6. Our One for Israel ministry.
7. Pray for other building projects – café roof, the repair of the house roof.
8. Growth, conversions, joy in the Word and Spirit to remain and increase.
Praise Points
1. Doug’s message and the gospel faithfully given on Sunday.
2. Some returning back to church after a while away.
3. Worship on Sunday – thankyou Paul, Suzy, Zac. Dan on Words and Tim on sound. Thankyou. Fiona and Maddison in café always do a stellar job. Thankyou for those who welcomed at the door.
4. All those who faithfully serve in ministries, Worship, Sound/Technical/Kids Church/ Cell Groups/Admin - Bulletins/Finances/Property/Welcoming/Spiritual Leadership/Cafe
5. Joy, peace and grace we see at CBC. Thankyou Lord
Announcements
1. Remember to check your duty rosters.
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Catechism question for September...
Q. 8. What will happen to the righteous in the day of judgment? A. They shall live with Jesus Christ forever, in a new heaven and a new earth.
