Once I was Blind, Now I can See
Study Text: John 9: 1 - 25
Introduction:
- We find in our text
an account of our Lord touching the eyes of a blind man. He was hopeless and helpless until
Jesus came by his way.
- The situation of this man was the true situation with everyone before having an encounter with the Lord Jesus Christ.
- You may never have suffered from physical blindness, but there was a day when you were blinded to the things of
God. We are all born in sin, blinded to the Lord.
- You are in one of two categories today; you have either been healed of that spiritual
blindness or you remain blinded by sin, not seeing the need for Jesus. Just as Jesus touched
the eyes of this man, He desires to free you from the bondage of darkness.
- As we
look at these verses, we shall be discussing on three subheadings:
1. The Condition of the Man.
2. The Compassion of the Master.
3. The Conversation of the Multitude.
1. The Condition of the Man.
- In this man we see a picture of all men. He stands as a
representation and a reminder to us that all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. Romans 3: 23.
1. He was Born Blind:
- This man was blind from birth. He had never experienced the
beauties of this world. He had never seen the sun rise or set.
- There
was nothing that he, his parents or anyone else that knew him could do about it. He was
helpless and hopeless.
- That is true for all men. We were all born blind in a spiritual sense; and as long as we
are blinded by sin, we never truly experience the beauty of God’s creation. Our friends and
loved ones can pray for us and hope that one day we will see, but they are helpless in giving
us sight.
2. He was Begging to Live.
- This man had to rely on begging to meet his needs. He was
unable to provide for himself and depended on the mercies of others to make it.
- That is the condition of the lost today. Spiritually they are beggars. They don’t enjoy the
grace of God in their life. They are dependent on others to help them in times of need. 2 Corinthians 8:9
- The believer
can go to the throne of grace in his time of need, but the lost doesn't have that privilege. Hebrews 4:16.
- Jesus Christ became poor so that through His poverty, we can be rich. And we are being invited to come to the throne of Grace anytime, with full assurance that our needs would be met.
- So as the Church we need
to share a heart of compassion, rather than words of condemnation. There is a world of poor
people who need someone to care for them. We need to show them the love of Christ, He
alone can meet their needs.
3. He was Found by His Mercy.
- We have no idea how many years he had lived in that condition, but his day of redemption was
at hand.
- He had endured much suffering and misery, but the Master passed by and saw him!
- It makes no difference how
bad life seems Jesus can make a difference.
- It may seem that your life isn’t worth living, that everything has fallen apart, but Jesus has come to give you hope and meet your needs. He wants to deliver you from the blindness of
sin.
- The day he met Jesus was the best day of his life.
2. The
Compassion of the Master.
- It is interesting to note how Jesus reacted to the needs of the
man and to the questions of the disciples.
- Jesus came to do a work in this man’s life and
provide for our needs as well. In these verses Jesus reveals what He has come to earth to do.
1. To Glorify God
- The disciples thought that some sin had been
committed to cause this problem. Jesus reminded them that this man’s condition wasn’t the
result of individual sin, but of man’s fallen nature.
- This man would be healed to glorify God and
manifest His works.
- Here Jesus reveals His reason for coming to earth. This man needed a Saviour as well
as his parents.
- Sin is universal. It isn’t about how good or bad we are, but the fact that we are
all sinners in need of salvation. Jesus came that we might have forgiveness. I Timothy 1:15
- Jesus
came to save us from the sin that condemns us before God.
2. To Fulfill His Mission.
- Jesus had come with a mission to fulfill. He had not come simply to
walk among men teaching the Scriptures, healing the sick, and comforting the weary; He had
come to bring light to a dark world, delivering men from the bondage of sin.
- Jesus came to offer Himself as a sacrifice for the sins of men. He had
come to open the eyes of this blind man and all who were blinded by sin.
- Even though this world rejects
the cross and its message, but without the cross we have no hope. I Corinthians 1:18.
3. To Bless the People.
- Jesus had compassion on the blind man. He was in need of a touch
that only Jesus could give. There was nothing special about this man; there was nothing in him
that merited the favour of God. He wasn’t looking for Jesus, but He saw him. It was grace and
mercy that brought his healing.
- There is no greater miracle than opening blinded eyes. This man would have died blind
had Jesus not come by and touched him. We would all die lost in sin had it not been for the
saving grace of our Lord.
- Jesus came to open blinded eyes. He came to restore what sin lost. He is still working miracles today. He still has the ability to save men from their sin.
- The
blood hasn’t lost its power. There is hope for all who need a miracle in their lives; it is found in
the touch of Jesus. Jesus can supply whatever need you may
have.
3. The Conversation of the Multitude.
- It was evident to see that a miracle had been
preformed; a man who was blind could see. There were different responses to the work of
Christ.
1. Some were Surprised and Wondered.
- Some of the man’s neighbours saw and realized that he had
been healed. They had no problem with the power of the Lord. It is apparent that these also
believed in the power of Jesus.
- They represent those who see the Lord and believe in His power.
- If you believe that Jesus can do it for others, why not trust Him to make that same
change in your life. He wants to touch you as well. It
takes more than knowing that He can; you must believe that He will do it for you. You must
come in faith.
2. Some were Confused and Doubtful.
- Some saw the man and almost believed. It sure looked
like the same fellow, but they were uncertain as to whether it was really him.
- All of the facts
pointed to the work of the Lord, but they just couldn’t believe.
- This group pictures those who are skeptical about the work of the Lord. They have seen
lives that appear to have been changed, but just can’t give over and believe.
3. Some were Annoyed and Adamant.
- Here we find the religious rulers of that day who absolutely
would not believe. They had seen the miracle and yet they chose to deny the power of Christ.
- There are many today who choose to reject the Lord. The evidence is clear that He has
made a change in people’s lives, but they just will not believe. These are walking on dangerous ground.
- The Spirit of God has revealed Himself to them and they openly reject Him.
4. Some are Fearful and Lacks Courage to take a Stand.
- Some truly believed the power of Jesus, but they were fearful of what people will say about them or do to them.
- This was the category the parents of the man belong to and that was why they could not boldly speak on the healing of their son when challenged.
- Thank God that the man who was healed truly believed and was courageous to declare his stand for the Lord Jesus Christ.
Conclusion:
- The Lord has spoken to your heart that you might be saved. If you reject His call and deny
His power, He may never pass by your way again.
- If you are to find forgiveness and salvation,
you must believe in Christ through faith in the finished work of the cross.
- How we respond to the Lord will determine where we spend eternity. There is no middle
ground. You are either saved or lost. You have either accepted what Christ has done or
rejected it.
- The choice is yours to make. Will you believe that Jesus is able to save you today or will
you walk away lost, rejecting His power and call to repentance? You are encouraged to come to Him while the
Lord is near. He may not pass by your way again.
