Jesus The Light Of The World
John 9:1-41
The Man Born Blind
A. INTRODUCTION
1. Where did the action take place? Temple entrance. “As Jesus passed by” (9:1).
a. Blind could not enter Temple.
b. Normally begged.
2. What was the background? Crisis. “They (the Jews) took up stones to cast at him” (8:59). Aorist active subjunctive, i.e., some had already thrown stones at Jesus.
3. How did Jesus escape? “Going through the midst of them and so passed by” (8:59).
a. He became invisible.
b. Disciples made an escape path.
c. Jews were temporarily blinded.
d. They were inwardly restrained.
4. Notice the contrast of John 8. The Jews tried to stone a sinful woman and ended up trying to stone a sinless Savior.
5. Did Jesus run away scared? No, Jesus carried on a casual conversation that transforms a life. “Once I was blind, now I see.”
6. Jesus healed other blind people; what was different this time?
a. Blind from birth.
b. The only creative miracle.
c. As a picture of salvation, we don’t recover but receive a completely new ability.
7. Why the question about sin? “Who sinned, this man or his parents that he was born blind?” (9:2).
a. Old Testament suggested parent’s sin brought consequences (Ex. 20:5, 34:7).
b. The child could sin in womb.
c. Soul pre-existed and their previous sin determined assignment in life.
8. What did Jesus answer? “Neither this man nor his parents, sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him” (9:3).
WHY PEOPLE GET SICK
1. Germs, bacteria, etc. Medical.
2. Satanic influence. Job.
3. To glorify God. Blind man.
4. To learn God’s grace. Paul.
5. Punishment by God. Sin unto death, (I John 5:16-18).
6. Self inflicted.
9. To what was Jesus referring, “We must work . . .” (9:4, ELT).
a. Source: God and Christ.
b. Responsibly: Christ and us.
c. Urgency: While there is opportunity.
d. His presence: As long as light is in the world.
10. Why did Jesus use spit and clay?
a. Spit was believed to be curative.
b. To break a man-made law.
c. To remind us we are made of clay.
11. Why not heal immediately – why go to Siloam?
a. Pool used two days earlier.
b. Siloam is from Shiloh, a name of Messiah.
c. To test faith.
PROGRESSION OF FAITH
1. A man called Jesus (9:11). Recognized.
2. He put clay on my eyes (9:15). Told facts.
3. “I was blind, now I see” (9:25). Testimony.
4. No one has opened blinded eyes. Defended.
5. “Who is he?” (9:36). Seeker.
6. “Lord, I believe” (9:38). Worshiper.
12. Why did the Jews question his parents? To confuse them and find a loophole.
a. Parents should be thrilled.
b. They feared the Jews (9:22).
PROGRESS OF OPPOSITION
1. Is this the blind one? Mockery.
2. How did the miracle happen? Skepticism.
3. Christ is a sinner. Attacked the source.
4. Jews attacked his parents. Created peer pressure.
5. Asked blind man to tell truth. Accused of dishonesty.
6. Jews reviled him. Open rebuke.
7. Jews cast him out. Rejection.
13. What was the response to healing?
a. Jesus came to him (9:35).
b. Jesus gave him a chance to testify. “Do you believe in the Son of God?” (9:38).
c. Recognized Jesus’ deity, “Lord” (9:38).
d. Worshiped (9:38).
14. What was the response of the unbelieving observers?
a. Judgment is Krima, i.e., to sift. Jesus will sift men to determine believers from unbelievers.
b. The physically blind will have spiritual sight and the physically seeing will be spiritually blind.
If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:
Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God and rejoice with you.
Dr. Towns’ email is eltowns@liberty.edu.
