A Blind Man and the Shepherd pt. 1 (JOHN 9)

Getting Started

From the Commentary

Our Lord performed miracles in order to meet human needs. But He also used those miracles as a “launching pad” for a message conveying spiritual truth. Finally, His miracles were His “credentials” to prove that He was indeed the Messiah. “The blind receive their sight” was one such messianic miracle (Matt. 11:5), and we see it demonstrated in John 9.

1. How does Jesus use the miracle in John 9 as a sermon on spiritual blindness? What is the message of this sermon?

Going Deeper

From the Commentary

Since the Pharisees were the custodians of the faith, it was right that the healed man be brought to them for investigation. The fact that they studied this miracle in such detail is only further proof that Jesus did indeed heal the man. Since the man was born blind, the miracle was even greater, for blindness caused by sickness or injury might suddenly go away. Our Lord’s miracles can bear careful scrutiny by His enemies.But Jesus’ act of deliberately healing the man on the Sabbath day caused the Pharisees great concern. It was illegal to work on the Sabbath; and by making the clay, applying the clay, and healing the man, Jesus had performed three unlawful “works.” The Pharisees should have been praising God for a miracle; instead, they sought evidence to prosecute Jesus.

2. Why was it important for John to record the Pharisees’ investigation of Jesus’ healing miracle? Why would it have upset them? How does this piece of Jesus’ story fit into the larger timeline God is orchestrating that will lead Him to the cross?

From the Commentary

It seemed incredible to the healed man that the Pharisees would not know this Man who had opened his eyes! How many people were going around Jerusalem, opening the eyes of blind people? Instead of investigating the miracle, these religious leaders should have been investigating the One who did the miracle and learning from Him. The “experts” were rejecting the Stone that was sent to them (Acts 4:11).

3. Review John 9:24–34. Why did the Pharisees reject Jesus? Why did they call Jesus a sinner? What theology lesson did the beggar give to the Pharisees? How is the Pharisees’ reaction like the reaction some people have today to evidence of God’s power?

From Today’s World

In a culture where success is often met with suspicion, it seems there are always people looking for “dirt” they can use to topple those who have risen to the top. You see this, perhaps most vividly, in the political arena. It has become an industry unto itself in the world of popular media, with Web sites and magazines dedicated solely to revealing the secrets and flaws of actors and musicians and others. And reporters are quick to jump on any story that purports to reveal a religious leader’s sins or moral failure.

4. Why is our culture so fascinated with the flaws and failings of people who are in the public eye? Why are politicians, entertainers, and religious leaders often the targets of extra scrutiny? Is this deserved? How is the way people today seem eager to unseat leaders like the way the Pharisees were eager to discredit Jesus?

From the Commentary

Wherever Jesus went, some of the Pharisees tried to be present so they could catch Him in something He said or did. Seeing them, Jesus closed this episode by preaching a brief but penetrating sermon on spiritual blindness.John 9:39 does not contradict John 3:16–17. The reason for our Lord’s coming was salvation, but the result of His coming was condemnation of those who would not believe. The same sun that brings beauty out of the seeds also exposes the vermin hiding under the rocks. The religious leaders were blind and would not admit it; therefore, the light of truth only made them blinder. The beggar admitted his need, and he received both physical sight and spiritual sight. No one is so blind as he who will not see, the one who thinks he has “all truth” and there is nothing more for him to learn (John 9:28, 34).

5. Why did the Pharisees take offense at Jesus’ statement in John 9:39? In what ways were the Pharisees blind? What is the message of John 9:41? Where do you see this truth played out in today’s Christian culture?