The Light of the World
John 9: 1-11
As a boy Robert Louis Stevenson was intrigued by the work of the old lamplighter who went about with a ladder and a torch, setting the street lights ablaze for the night. One evening in Edinburgh, Scotland, as young Robert stood watching with childish fascination, his parents heard him exclaim, “Look, look! There is a man out there, punching holes in the darkness!” (i)
As we continue to examine the I AM statements of Jesus, we come to His proclamation of being the Light of the world. Like the man setting the street lights ablaze, Jesus came to punch an eternal hole in the darkness. We all were born in sin, separated from God, being blind spiritually and unable to comprehend the things of God. Our only hope was for one to open our eyes and deliver us from blindness.
Jesus encountered a man who needed His touch and used this as an opportunity to reveal that He was in fact the Light of the world. Those who walk about in darkness need His touch. This man received much more than His sight that day. All who come to Christ in salvation are delivered from the blindness of sin and our eyes are opened to the blessings and benefits of being in Christ. As we discuss the realities within the text, I want to consider Jesus as: The Light of the World.
I. The Predicament of the Man – As we begin to examine this passage, we first need to consider the predicament in which this man found himself. We discover:
A. He was Blind (1) – And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth. As Jesus departed from the temple and those who sought to do Him harm, He passed by a man who was blind from his birth. We don’t know how old the man was, but we do know he had dealt with blindness his entire life. He had never experienced the beauty of sight, being able to see his surroundings and experience the beauty of God’s creation. Utter darkness is all he had known.
I know of no other description in the Bible that describes our situation better than the predicament in which this man found himself. While we all can’t relate to physical blindness, we all were born spiritually blind. Our eyes had not been opened to the truth of the Gospel. The darkness of sin is all we knew, not knowing the beauty of God’s grace in salvation. We were unable to do anything about our condition and stood in need of one to open our eyes!
B. He was a Beggar (8) – The neighbours therefore, and they which before had seen him that he was blind, said, Is not this he that sat and begged? Those who lived around the man were familiar with him and the great predicament in which he lived. Being blind he was unable to provide for himself, having to resort to the kindness of others. Respectfully, but simply – he was a beggar.
We may not like to admit it, but we were all beggars prior to salvation in Christ. Our eyes were blinded by sin and we were unable to provide for ourselves spiritually. I remember the great burden of sin and realizing my inability to change my condition. Others recognized my need, knowing where to find help, and they pointed me to Jesus. I was simply a lost beggar in need of salvation. It has been rightly said that sharing the Gospel with another is simply one beggar telling another where to find bread.
C. He was Blessed (1, 3) – And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth. [3] Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him. The man was blind and he was a beggar, but he was also blessed. Some might wonder how a blind man could be considered blessed, but it is evident to see when we consider the text. He had been blind from birth, but one day he had an encounter with Jesus. He was unable to see the Lord, but Jesus saw him! The Lord was well aware of the man’s condition and had compassion on him. When the disciples wondered who had sinned, the man or his parents, to cause his blindness, Jesus responded neither. The man’s condition was not the result of his sin or his parents’ sin, but that the works of God could be made manifest in him. His condition was allowed so that God could be glorified and Jesus was about to perform a miracle for the man.
I am thankful for the day that Jesus passed by my way! I wasn’t looking for Him; in fact, I was unable to see Him, but I rejoice that He came looking for me. Like this man, my spiritual blindness was not the result of my parents’ sin or even the result of sin I had committed. Like him, I was born blind. I inherited the sin nature of my father Adam. Although I was sinful, I was also loved of the Lord. Through salvation in Him I was given my sight and brought glory to God. I had not committed particular sins that many consider gross sin, but I was a sinner nonetheless. If the Lord could save me, He can save anyone!
II. The Power of the Master (3-7) – We also discover the miraculous power Jesus possessed. Consider:
A. His Sovereignty (3-4) – Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him. [4] I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work. Jesus knew He had come to earth with purpose – to redeem fallen humanity from their sin. He came to provide atonement and reconciliation from sin. His works of grace and power in the life of this man and others like him would reveal His deity to those He encountered. Jesus had come to reveal Himself as the Christ, Savior of mankind, and provide for their salvation as He offered Himself the sacrificial atonement for sin.
B. His Sufficiency (5) – As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world. Jesus revealed that He was the light of the world. He came to shine light within the darkness of sin, revealing the lost condition of men and drawing them unto the Light. He came to break the bondage and darkness of sin through deliverance in salvation. He was able to bring light to this blind man and the entire world. Jesus was the Light the world needed to see and receive.
His power has not diminished over the years. His light still shines as brightly today as it ever has. He continues to deliver from the darkness of sin into the glorious light of salvation. Jesus fully satisfied the righteous demands of the Father, and His sacrificial atonement continues to be sufficient to save. He alone has the power to redeem and reconcile to God.
C. His Ability (6-7) – When he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and he anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay, [7] And said unto him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam, (which is by interpretation, Sent.) He went his way therefore, and washed, and came seeing. Jesus anointed the eyes of the blind man and commanded him to go wash in the pool. As the blind man responded in obedient faith, he received his sight. His blindness was no match for the power of Jesus. On that day he received his sight. The Lord had the ability to provide and by faith the man received the gift of healing.
Blindness seems impossible to cure. Typically, those who are born blind never receive their sight. What is impossible with men is possible with God. The power of our Lord continues to touch and transform lives today. He is able to deliver from the depths of sin, lifting us from its miry grip, placing our feet upon the Rock, and establishing our path. There are none the Lord cannot deliver. He has the power to redeem the hardest sinner, breaking the bonds of sin that so long had them bound. I rejoice for the ability of our Lord to heal, redeem, and grant eternal life!
III. The Profession for the Master (8-11) – Following his healing, the blind man professed Christ before others. Consider:
A. The Curiosity (8-10) – The neighbours therefore, and they which before had seen him that he was blind, said, Is not this he that sat and begged? [9] Some said, This is he: others said, He is like him: but he said, I am he. [10] Therefore said they unto him, How were thine eyes opened? After the man was healed from his blindness, being able to see, those who knew him became very curious. Some thought he was that man, and others assumed it must have been someone who looked like him. Hearing their questions, the man declared he was in fact the blind man. Those who knew him immediately noticed the change in his life and wondered how such a miracle had taken place.
A life touched by Christ will reveal a significant and immediate change. It will be so evident that those who know us will recognize the difference. Some will even ask what has happened. One cannot experience Christ in salvation and remain as they were. He brings about complete and immediate transformation.
B. The Identity (11a) – He answered and said, A man that is called Jesus made clay, and anointed mine eyes, and said unto me, Go to the pool of Siloam, and wash. The man was quick to tell those who wondered about the miracle of his healing that a man named Jesus had anointed his eyes and commanded him to wash in the pool. He offered praise and recognition to the Lord for the miracle he had received.
We must have the courage and commitment to share what the Lord has done for us. While some may never ask, many are curious about the hope and assurance we now possess. Those who knew the life we lived prior to salvation wonder how our lives have changed so dramatically. We have the glorious opportunity to tell others of the saving grace we received in Christ. Your personal testimony of salvation is the greatest evangelistic tool you have. People are interested in your story because it provides hope for their condition. If Jesus was willing and able to do that for you, they think He would be willing to do the same for them. We know that is true. Jesus came to seek and save those who are lost!
C. The Certainty (11b) – and I went and washed, and I received sight. It was undeniable that the man had received a great miracle. He had responded in obedient faith and the Lord provided his sight. The man knew he was able to see and it was evident for others as well. The Lord had touched the blinded eyes of this man and his vision was evident for all to witness. There would have been no need to argue with the man; he knew he had been touched and healed.
I have no doubt Jesus did for me what I could not do for myself. I was blinded by sin and unable to bring about healing. At the moment I received salvation, my eyes were opened and the grace of the Lord filled my inner being. I know what happened because I was there when it happened. I am certain of my salvation and secure in Christ my Lord.
Conclusion: Where are you today spiritually? Have your blinded eyes been opened through the power and grace of the Lord? If you have never responded in repentance and faith unto salvation, I urge you to come to Christ and receive the Light only He can provide. Apart from Him you will continue to wander in darkness, separated from God in sin. Come and receive your sight today. If you are saved, rejoice in what the Lord has done for you and commit to proclaiming His grace to all you have opportunity. Our world is filled with those who desperately need the light of Christ!
i. The Sermon Notebook - The Sermon Notebook – John.
