SEEING IS BELIEVING

John 9

In this chapter, we have another example of the trial setting that Apostle John has set up several times already.

As the story unfolds we see Jesus and the Disciples encounter another disadvantaged member of the Jewish society.

A man, blind from birth, that stirs up a whole lot of questions.

1- Questions from the Disciples

2- Questions from the people around the blind man

3- Question from the mans parents

4- And finally, Questions from the Pharisees- again.

This story is about us today as much as it is about the recorded story we read in Scripture.

The Parallels are clear

Just as this man is healed of his physical blindness- We are healed of Spiritual blindness

He is persecuted for his claimed healing- We are persecuted, rejected and ridiculed by society for our claims of Salvation

He Chooses to believe in Jesus- It is the same choice we have to make.

He becomes a disciple of Jesus- As do we.

Jesus heals the blind man, in a way that is creative, to say the least.

And, while healing him of his physical sight, Jesus also leads him, and the Disciples, to a Deeper understanding of true identity of the Son of God.

Jesus, once again uses a real physical situation to teach a significant Spiritual Truth.

As this story unfolds, as one commentary mentions, “It is John’s dramatic writing skills at their best”.

The story outlines like this

Vvs 1-7, The Compassion of Christ

Vvs 8-12 The Confusion of the Healing Testimony

Vvs 13- 34 The Spiritual Blindness of the Pharisees

and Finally:

Vvs 35-41 The Continuing Revelation of Jesus

For some background- we can see that across all four Gospels, Jesus healed several people of blindness- It was, in some sense the Hallmark of His ministry.

Blindness in antiquity was a far more widespread issue that we realize.

Eye diseases of the time had no cures and the unsanitary conditions of the water even made washing ones own face a risk.

It was such a prevalent issue that Jesus uses blindness, in parables, and as Spiritual teaching points numerous times.

Because...

SEEING IS BELIEVING

In Vvs 1-7 we see the Compassion of Christ at work.

Much like the Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well- Jesus did not avoid this situation. In passing, Jesus SAW this man.

His Disciples, following the typical thought process of the day, ask Jesus,

“Who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind.”

Now, beyond the convoluted thought that somehow this man could have sinned prior to his being born, Jesus once again, shows great patience with His Disciples, with His explanation.

Most English translations of the original Greek do not handle the explanation well- And it has led to much confusion over time.

John 9:3–4 ESV

Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him. We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work.

To read it as such, it give the implication that God caused this man to be born blind, so that God may later be glorified.

A better reading of it, ““It was not that this man sinned, or his parents.” Jesus answered. “but, so that the works of God might be displayed in his life. We must do the works of him who sent me while it is day...”

God did not make this man blind, that would be a cruel thing to do, and totally out of character of everything we know of God.

Rather, God sent Jesus to heal this man in order that the Glory of God may be revealed. The theological difference is subtle, but vital to understand.

God’s intention was not to cause suffering but to reveal his power through healing.

Jesus then does something, that in our modern society, would be considered crude, if not plain gross.

He kneels down and makes a mud paste out of the dirt- And His own Saliva- Yes Jesus spit in the dirt to make mud- and then applied the mud to the mans eyes.

Now, for clarification, in that time, there was thought to be medicinal powers in a mans spittle.

In fact this not the only time Jesus uses this technique- In Mark 7 Jesus uses His own saliva to heal a Deaf and mute man, restoring his hearing and his ability to speak, and in Mark 8, Jesus heals another blind man by spitting directly into the mans eyes.

In our story, Jesus then tells this man to go and wash in the Pool of Siloam, Which means “Sent” in Hebrew.

The man is “SENT” by the One who was “SENT” by God. In obedience, the does as directed, and is healed- Clearly Jesus being the source of his healing and not the pool.

The Pool is important, as it represents the only source of spring water into the city of Jerusalem. As such it was the source of the Temple washing and purification ceremonies.

We have already studied how Jesus is the source of Living water in chapter 7, and this man has now experienced that Living water in a very profound way.

In healing the man of his physical blindness, Jesus is showing His Sovereign Authority of Creation.

SEEING IS BELIEVING

Moving from the healing of physical ailments, let's explore the spiritual implications of this miracle.

In Vvs 8-12, We have The Testimony of Transformation

This begins a series of conversations filled with questions, accusations and interrogations.

“Is this not the man who used to sit and beg?” Some agree that it is, yet others...

“No, but he is like him?” You have to ask, How is he like the man, but is not him, other than he was blind but can now see?

He tells the directly, “It was called Jesus...”

First as the passage lists them, His neighbors, and those that knew him before, “AS A BEGGAR”

This shows how dramatic a radical change miracle experience can impact those around us.

These people were the folks who knew him the best and for the longest time- Yet...

Here he was, radically different- His vision whole for the very first time in his life.

It begs the question- Has our lives been so radically changed by our own spiritual healing that those closest to us have seen the difference?

The questions asked of the crowd provide a perfect opportunity for this man to provide direct witness of the Miracle work of Jesus.

Do we take advantage of the same questions from our friends, neighbors or co-workers? Can they even see a change?

It is important to note that, when the crowd of people finally are satisfied that this is the man they have known to have been blind- They do not reject the miracle- But turn, not to Jesus, as the man identified Him by name to them- But they do turn to their religious leaders- The Pharisees.

They Pharisees were the established theologians of the time and were sought out often for counsel by the people for other matters of the community.

Not finding Jesus nearby, the people take the man to the Pharisees.

Vvs 13- 34 The Spiritual Blindness of the Pharisees

Once again we have a mini trial, disguised as an investigation by the Pharisees.

In their questioning of this man, their concern is less on the miracle of him receiving his sight, but on the fact, that, once again, Jesus did it on the Sabbath. The considered the Sabbath violation far more important than the miracle.

The Pharisees, once again, declare Jesus to be a sinner, and therefore Cannot possibly be acting in accordance to Divine authority.

The Pharisees then turn to the mans parents for answers.

The parents validate that this man is, indeed their son and yes, he has been blind since birth.

But fearing the power of the Pharisees, and the rumored threat of being removed from the synagogue for believing that Jesus was the Messiah...

The parent deflect any further questions back to their son, “...Ask him, he is of age, he can speak for himself.”

Finally the Pharisees turn back to the man and begin the interrogation all over again.

They have already concluded that Jesus is a sinner, but the man isnt so sure...

This man does not have an answer as to Jesus being a sinner- Nor should he

But he can state the obvious, “...One thing I know, that though I was blind, now I see...”

Each of these encounters moves towards the true identity of Jesus- But also carries deeper undertones.

In sequence in the text, the blind man, now healed refers to Jesus- in order- as “Jesus” v-10, “A Prophet” v-17, “The Christ” v-22 and finally “from God” v-33.

As the Pharisees continue to disavow Jesus, the progression of their own questioning drives home the true identity of Jesus.

In the end, the Pharisees have nothing left but their own pride and ego, v-34 “You were steeped in sin at birth, yet you dare lecture us?”

The implications are obvious here, Religious head knowledge without seeing the Power of God in Jesus, leaves the Pharisees in the dark of spiritual blindness.

The same applies to us today- Without the total acceptance of Jesus for who He is- The Son of God, we will continue to be in Spiritual darkness- regardless of how much Biblical knowledge we may possess.

The conclusion of the pharisees, complete the story:

The Disciples question who had sinned-him or his parents to cause his blindness vvs 1-2

Jesus rejects this idea, just as He rejects the Pharisees attempt to disregard the man as a sinner v-34

With the first idea, Sin brought on the blindness, with the second idea, the pharisees conclude his sin brought about spiritual blindness in the form of religious ignorance.

They missed on both accounts.

As a last resort, the Pharisees expel the man from the synagogue, just as his parents had feared.

How often do we let our own ideas, concepts or forms of legalism and skepticism get in the way fo seeing Jesus for who He truly is?

We've seen the Pharisees' focus on legalism, now let's examine the man's transformation and testimony.

Vvs 35-41 The Continuing Revelation of Jesus

The closing of this text brings us the conflict between two healings:

In John 5, the Lame man is healed on the Sabbath.

He was told by Jesus to not tell anyone, and his refusal to do so, brought much persecution to Jesus

This healing not only brings sight to the blind, but also brings belief in Jesus to the man and creates a disciple and follower.

Both have the ramifications of the duality of the meanings of light and dark

This man was physically blind yet could see well enough spiritually, that he could see the miracle standing before him.

The Pharisees, while being physically sighted, were spiritually blinded by their own pre-occupation with the letter of the Law, while ignoring the Spiritual grace and mercy written into the Law.

The application for today is straightforward.

While physical healing by God’s hand is powerful, it only directs us to the deeper Spiritual meaning-

That the greater healing comes through the gift of salvation, provided by our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

We should all be deepening our Spiritual growth and faith in Christ, as He is the source of all Truth and Grace.

Because...

SEEING IS BELIEVING