Introduction

Good morning, dear friends. It's always a joy to gather with you, to share in the warmth of fellowship, and to turn our hearts towards the Word of God. We are here, not because we are perfect, but because we are loved by a perfect God. And in His love, He has given us His Word, a lamp to our feet and a light to our path.

Today, we turn our attention to the Gospel of John, chapter 9, verses 1 through 41. A passage that brings us face to face with the Pharisees, a group of religious leaders who were so focused on the law that they missed the very essence of love. A passage that introduces us to a blind man, whose life was transformed by an encounter with Jesus. A passage that reveals the power of God's love, a love so profound that it can heal, restore, and give sight to the blind. A passage that holds a promise, a promise of restoration for all who believe.

Before we read, let's pause and reflect on the words of Charles Spurgeon who once said, "The Word of God is always most precious to the man who most lives upon it." As we live on this Word today, may it become precious to us, revealing the heart of our God and the depth of His love.

Let's read the passage together:

"As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him. As long as it is day, we must do the works 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.” After saying this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man’s eyes. “Go,” he told him, “wash in the Pool of Siloam” (this word means “Sent”). So the man went and washed, and came home seeing." (John 9:1-7)

And so on until verse 41.

Perception of the Pharisees

In the Gospel of John, we encounter the Pharisees, a group of religious leaders who were known for their strict adherence to the law. They were the spiritual elite, the ones who were supposed to guide the people in the ways of God. Yet, their understanding of God was limited by their focus on the law. They were so consumed by the rules and regulations that they failed to see the heart of God.

The Pharisees saw the man born blind and immediately jumped to conclusions. They saw his blindness as a result of sin, either his own or his parents'. They were quick to judge, quick to condemn. But Jesus saw something different. He saw an opportunity for God's work to be displayed. He saw a man in need of healing, a man in need of love.

This difference in perception is striking. The Pharisees saw a sinner, Jesus saw a child of God. The Pharisees saw a problem, Jesus saw a possibility. The Pharisees saw a curse, Jesus saw a chance for God's glory to be revealed. This difference in perception made all the difference in their actions. The Pharisees judged, Jesus healed.

The Pharisees' perception was shaped by their understanding of the law. They believed that sin was the cause of all suffering. They believed that if someone was suffering, it was because they or their parents had sinned. This belief was so ingrained in their minds that they couldn't see any other possibility. They couldn't see the man's blindness as anything other than a punishment for sin.

But Jesus challenged this perception. He declared that neither the man nor his parents had sinned. He declared that the man's blindness was not a punishment, but an opportunity for God's work to be displayed. This was a radical shift in perception, a shift that challenged the Pharisees' understanding of the law and of God.

The Pharisees' perception of the law was not just limited, it was also limiting. It limited their understanding of God. It limited their ability to love and to show compassion. It limited their ability to see the possibilities in the midst of problems. It limited their ability to see God's work in the world.

Jesus, on the other hand, had a perception that was not limited by the law. His perception was shaped by love. He saw the man's blindness not as a problem, but as a possibility. He saw it as an opportunity for God's love to be displayed, for God's glory to be revealed. His perception was not limiting, but liberating. It liberated him to love, to show compassion, to heal.

The Pharisees' perception was also shaped by their pride. They were proud of their knowledge of the law, proud of their status as religious leaders. This pride blinded them to the truth. It blinded them to the reality of the man's suffering. It blinded them to the love and compassion of Jesus. It blinded them to the work of God in their midst.

Jesus, on the other hand, was not blinded by pride. He was humble, willing to serve, willing to love. His humility allowed him to see the truth. It allowed him to see the man's suffering, to see the need for healing. It allowed him to see the work of God in the world.

The Pharisees' perception was shaped by their fear. They were afraid of breaking the law, afraid of losing their status, afraid of the unknown. This fear kept them from seeing the truth. It kept them from seeing the man's need for healing. It kept them from seeing the love and compassion of Jesus. It kept them from seeing the work of God in their midst.

Jesus, on the other hand, was not ruled by fear. He was courageous, willing to challenge the status quo, willing to love and heal even when it was risky. His courage allowed him to see the truth. It allowed him to see the man's need for healing. It allowed him to see the love and compassion of God. It allowed him to see the work of God in the world.

Power of God's Love

As we move forward, we find ourselves standing at the precipice of a grand revelation - the power of God's love ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO