Things Happen

Things Happen – John 9: 1 - 12

Intro: Some of us have enjoyed the benefits of cataract surgery. With this simple operation usually done in less than fifteen minutes per eye, doctors can remove the clouded lens of the eye and replace it with a clear, artificial lens. Most people go home after the surgery with the vision dramatically improved. Untreated cataracts are responsible for millions of people losing their vision every year. It is the number one cause of blindness in our world. It is so sad, because it is such a curable condition.

I VVS. 1 & 2 “As he (Jesus) went along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, ‘Rabbi, who sinner, this man or his parents, that he was born blind.”

A The big question here is one that we have probably asked ourselves in negative situations. WHY? Why has this happened? Why me, God? What have I done to deserve this?

B As modern Christians we are prone to believe that bad things just don’t happen. We feel there must be a reason: divorce = wrong spouse / fired = poor job performance / kids in trouble = bad parenting. There ARE problems that are a result of bad choices.

C It was a common practice at the time of Jesus the believe that bad things happened b/c a person had sinned or angered God in some way. There are still those today who believe this is true. IT IS NOT! God does not cause bad things to happen to good people.

II VS. 3 “Neither this man nor his parents sinned.” Said Jesus. “But this happened that the works of God might be displayed in him

A Jesus answers that questioning of the disciples by stating the better question is not “why” has this happened; but, “What does God want to accomplish through it?”

B The point is this: Neither this man nor his parent’s sin caused the blindness; but, rather, that the glory of God could be revealed through him.

C Perhaps there are times of pain and suffering in our lives that God can use in a way that brings glory to God or brings us closer to God or makes us more dependent on God. It may be the only way God can help us see the importance of our relationship with Jesus.

III There is no record in this text that Jesus promised the man healing. VS. 6-7 “After saying this, he (Jesus) spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man’s eyes. “Go,” he told the man, “Wash in the Pool of Siloam. “So the man went and washed, and came home seeing.”

A The man allowed Jesus to rub mud on his eyes. That is a very sensitive area. Even today, some people can’t wear contact lenses because of their sensitivity to something in their eyes.

B We may have sensitive areas in our lives where we resist the touch of Jesus. Areas that create pain. If we don’t allow Jesus to touch us there, He can’t heal us.

C The man’s blindness and the manner in which he bore it served as a witness to his strength and reliance on God. There is one this that gives us the right perspective, and that is the certainty that God is still working. God always his eyes on us. The Lord’s works will be revealed in us whether in adversity or prosperity because our God is wise, good and faithful.

Concl: .” There is an old expression that is perhaps appropriate here. “There is none so blind as he who will not see.” Have you opened your eyes to the plain and simple fact that you can trust Jesus with your everyday life? Have you entrusted your finances to Him? Have you entrusted your children and grandchildren to Him. Or are you still blind to the fact that Christ Jesus is the only one that can heal your pain in all those areas? YES, there are times God allows pain in our lives so we may become more totally dependent on God. The way in which we bear our “Pain” may be the only gospel some person may “read.”