Jerusalem- The Blind Series

Series: Biblical Cities- Jerusalem [#29]

JERUSALEM- THE BLIND

Matthew 23:37

Introduction:

We are continuing in our Series about the most mentioned City in the Bible- Jerusalem.

Matthew 23:37

While Jesus was still in Jerusalem, He once again taught the people things that were very controversial. Tonight, we are going to look at Jesus’ encounter with a blind man. This story is personal to me. When Tharon lost his sight, we had these very questions that Jesus answered. As Tharon has always said, “Everyone has a disability, mine is just more noticeable than most”.

John 9:1-3

1. When Jesus passes by.

As Jesus passed by, He saw a man who had been blind since birth. The Disciples wondered if this man’s blindness was his fault or his families’ fault. It was a common belief that a man suffered because of sin, either his own sin or his parents’ sin. The Disciples were attracted to the man and wondered about him. Was he suffering because of some great sin committed by his parents, or because God had foreseen that the man would be a great sinner before he was born? The question is often asked- How can a man who is not yet born be punished for sin he has not yet committed? Apparently, Jewish belief was that a person’s sin was foreseen; therefore, the person was “born in sins” and thereby punished.

Jesus told them that this man’s blindness was not because of his or his families’ sinfulness. It was so that the power of God would be seen in his life. The sufferer has a very special opportunity to show the works of God in his life. He can allow the Spirit of God to be demonstrated in a much more powerful way than a healthy person. The sufferer can show that the grace and power of God are sufficient much more than a healthy person can. Very often a person suffers not because of sin, but to give God a unique opportunity to show His works.

John 9:4

2. When Jesus works.

Jesus came to do the work of God. Who sent Jesus? God sent Him into this world to complete His mission. What was His mission? He came to seek and save the lost. He came to care for the needs of people. He came with love and compassion. He came to deliver mankind from darkness and give us spiritual sight.

Jesus’ mission was urgent. Jesus said, “We must…”. There was no option given here. Jesus also said that night was coming. Time is limited.

We must also notice that Jesus said, “We…”. We are also supposed to lead people to Jesus, who can give spiritual sight and we must do it now!

John 9:5

3. When Jesus is present.

Jesus came to be the Light of the World. If someone wants to be delivered from the darkness, they must come to Jesus. Jesus is the only One who can give sight to the blind.

John 9:6-7

4. When Jesus gives sight.

Jesus came to demonstrate the power to give sight. Notice that Jesus did not just speak the word of healing to the man. His Word alone was the method He often used in healing, but this was not the case with this man.

He did much more, and by His act He demonstrated 2 things to the world:

* Jesus will do everything He can to deliver a person from darkness and give them sight.

* Jesus has the power to deliver a person from darkness and give them sight.

Jesus used 2 things to awaken the man’s faith:

* Jesus used a point of contact, the touch of His hands upon the man’s eyes.

Note that He used clay made moist by spittle. People of that day believed spittle had some curing qualities, and perhaps Jesus used spittle because of this. The man’s faith would certainly be helped by thinking of its healing qualities. However, Jesus would not want the man thinking that it was spittle that cured him. The man must know beyond question that Jesus was the One who healed him. So, at most the spittle would be used to stir the thoughts of healing in the man’s mind.

* Jesus sent the man to wash in the pool of Siloam.

Note the parenthesis “which is by interpretation, sent”. Jesus was using the pool as a symbol of the Messiah who was sent by God to give sight to the world. The blind man, by obeying Jesus and going to the pool, would receive his sight. His obedience would demonstrate to the blind of the world that they, too, could receive their sight by coming to Jesus and obeying Him. The man washed and “came seeing.” He received his sight because He did exactly what Jesus said.

Conclusion:

Man’s eyes can be opened; and he can be delivered from the darkness of sin and shame, death and corruption, hell and destruction by coming to Jesus Christ and by obeying Him.