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…
1. The question is still asked today “Who sinned, this man or his parents…” We often want to put blame on someone for a tragedy. Jesus says no-one sinned, but simply responds with “this happened for the glory of God”. Why do all things happen, including things that are difficult to accept or understand? We are in Napier in New Zealand at the moment and in 1931 there was a terrible earthquake that killed many ‘innocent’ people. Why? I believe Jesus’ answer would still be the same for us. These things happen ultimately for the Lord’s glory, even though they are difficult, almost impossible to understand. He will do right. We take Him at His word. Though this is a difficult truth at times, especially in the current season, the truth remains.
2. The Pharisees ask this man twice how he got healed. He says that he has already told them and then 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 is good, evil. The man who was healed knows 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 song Amazing Grace takes from this story in John 9 and applies it to the fact that our eyes are opened spiritually to see Jesus as Lord and Saviour.
3. 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, no more acceptance 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 focus. We know what we are saved from and the world no longer has any attraction for us.
4. 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. We have a false image of Him and ourselves while any earthly pride remains. Pray this may be completely removed from our eyes and that we may be faithful guides to others.
Vision statement for CBC
CBC’s Vision :- To be a growing biblical church community, significantly influencing our city and beyond, through intentional outreach, fulfilling our mission.
Cell groups are encouraged to do alpha at church on Wednesday night 6:30pm at church. Be encouraged and join us.
Prayer Points
1. Pray for Ric Benson’s ministry as the Church Health and Communities pastor.
2. Pray for alpha course session Wed 6:30pm at Church. Invite non-Christians.
3. Pray about Sunday’s message for Father’s day that it would change lives.
4. That those who are new to the church are encouraged and settle in well into the church.
5. That we be bold in our witnessing for Christ. Pray for a heart to see those around you saved.
6. Pray for Rosie and Kids@church, pray for continued growth of this ministry.
7. Growth, conversions, joy in the Word and Spirit to remain and increase.
Praise Points
1. Praise God for the discussion and unanimous vote and support for Pastor Ric Benson as Church Health and Communities pastor at our meeting last Sunday.
2. Praise God for the ministry of Pr Ric Benson on Sunday. Worship team did an amazing job. Thankyou guys. Great hearing stories of healing, hope and life.
3. Great fifth session at alpha course last week.
4. Give thanks for Sally who has consistently been able to come to church with Richard.
5. Some encouraging signs of those wanting to consider who Jesus was. People asking about baptism.
6. Joy, peace and grace we see at CBC. Thankyou Lord
Announcements
1. Alpha Course 6th session on Wed 24th Aug – 6:30pm – invite non Christians to this course.
2. Church bank details bsb:- 704 913 and Acc number:- 4000 4388 1
3. Tune in again this week on our YouTube page. Subscribe to the CBC channel Chuwar Baptist YouTube channel.
Catechism questions for August...
Q. 11. Can you see God? A. No; I cannot see God, but he always sees me.
