True blindness

John 9:13–41 NLT

13 Then they took the man who had been blind to the Pharisees, 14 because it was on the Sabbath that Jesus had made the mud and healed him. 15 The Pharisees asked the man all about it. So he told them, “He put the mud over my eyes, and when I washed it away, I could see!” 16 Some of the Pharisees said, “This man Jesus is not from God, for he is working on the Sabbath.” Others said, “But how could an ordinary sinner do such miraculous signs?” So there was a deep division of opinion among them. 17 Then the Pharisees again questioned the man who had been blind and demanded, “What’s your opinion about this man who healed you?” The man replied, “I think he must be a prophet.” 18 The Jewish leaders still refused to believe the man had been blind and could now see, so they called in his parents. 19 They asked them, “Is this your son? Was he born blind? If so, how can he now see?” 20 His parents replied, “We know this is our son and that he was born blind, 21 but we don’t know how he can see or who healed him. Ask him. He is old enough to speak for himself.” 22 His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders, who had announced that anyone saying Jesus was the Messiah would be expelled from the synagogue. 23 That’s why they said, “He is old enough. Ask him.” 24 So for the second time they called in the man who had been blind and told him, “God should get the glory for this, because we know this man Jesus is a sinner.” 25 “I don’t know whether he is a sinner,” the man replied. “But I know this: I was blind, and now I can see!” 26 “But what did he do?” they asked. “How did he heal you?” 27 “Look!” the man exclaimed. “I told you once. Didn’t you listen? Why do you want to hear it again? Do you want to become his disciples, too?” 28 Then they cursed him and said, “You are his disciple, but we are disciples of Moses! 29 We know God spoke to Moses, but we don’t even know where this man comes from.” 30 “Why, that’s very strange!” the man replied. “He healed my eyes, and yet you don’t know where he comes from? 31 We know that God doesn’t listen to sinners, but he is ready to hear those who worship him and do his will. 32 Ever since the world began, no one has been able to open the eyes of someone born blind. 33 If this man were not from God, he couldn’t have done it.” 34 “You were born a total sinner!” they answered. “Are you trying to teach us?” And they threw him out of the synagogue. 35 When Jesus heard what had happened, he found the man and asked, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” 36 The man answered, “Who is he, sir? I want to believe in him.” 37 “You have seen him,” Jesus said, “and he is speaking to you!” 38 “Yes, Lord, I believe!” the man said. And he worshiped Jesus. 39 Then Jesus told him, “I entered this world to render judgment—to give sight to the blind and to show those who think they see that they are blind.” 40 Some Pharisees who were standing nearby heard him and asked, “Are you saying we’re blind?” 41 “If you were blind, you wouldn’t be guilty,” Jesus replied. “But you remain guilty because you claim you can see.

The excuse

Vs 13-16

When we are blind, when we are content, no, FIGHTING to live live our own way we have to choose to make excuses to get around the reality of God

The religious leaders of the time saw a great miracle, the proof was directly in front of them, but they chose to make an excuse of why it was wrong instead of believing that there was a change.

They where set on keeping things the way they where.

God is like oxygen, we have to fight to make a way outside of it.

God’s goodness and proof of who He is is everywhere.

Simplicity

Vs 24-25

The blind man said, “You may be able to trip me up intellectually and outmaneuver me logically, but all I know is this: Once I was a miserable, blind, wretched sinner like you—and now I see!”

We see here that Jesus’s effect on people will outweigh those who try to over complicate the heart of Jesus

Jesus came for everyone, if that is true than we must understand that though all powerful and all knowing, His heart for us is simple, for us to be loved and apart of Him.

True sight

Vs 28-33

This man was minutes into his faith and already had the sight to see who Jesus was.

The religious leaders had so much more experience and knowledge but where blind to the truth

When we are following Christ, we receive sight that we could not have otherwise.

I cant tell you how many times I have had no idea what to say or do in a situation, but the words came like water, the Holy Spirit giving me guidance and wisdom that I would not have had.

It is Jesus who gives us sight, wisdom, and understanding.

This man was in awe that the leaders could not see what he could, that Jesus is God

It was simple and clear to him, whereas the leaders where blinded by their own minds and selfishness stuck in their ways.

The response

Vs 35-39

Note here that after the man stood for Jesus and was thrown out of the temple, Jesus found him, sought him out.

Jesus does not abandon His followers

Describe what it ment to be thrown out of the temple.

Even when all seems lost, when we have the attitude of “I did what you said Lord! Why is this happening?”

Know that He will meet you, He will comfort you, and you will be blessed for following Him.

We can get wrapped up in our timing, when we want to see something happen, but ultimately it is us who need to surrender to God’s timing

It is when we surrender control that we truly gain sight.

We can now see what God has been working in our lives.

We can have faith to know that Jesus is looking out for our best interest and will meet us where we are at.

When God has begun the work of absolute surrender in you, and when God has accepted your surrender, then God holds Himself bound to care for it and to keep it. Will you believe that?

Andrew Murray

Blindness

Vs 40-41

Here we see the religious leaders questioning Jesus, is He accusing them of being blind?

There response shows their hearts and why they are too blind to see the truth.

Claiming to know the truth but being apart from it

2 Timothy 3:5 NLT

5 They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!

Their form of godliness was false, rooted in the rules and religion, not Jesus.

Being humble about not knowing the truth, having faith that Jesus knows what is going on in your life.

Not relying on what your perception of what you think your life “should” be.

True Christian service and living must begin with personal dedication to the Lord. The Christian who fails in life is the one who has first failed at the altar, refusing to surrender completely to Christ.

Warren W. Wiersbe

Jesus has a plan for your life and like this blind man, it might take shape in an unconventional way.

If we get caught up in what we think our lives or situations should turn out like, we limit God’s work in our lives

We can even miss out on opportunities that are presented to us from the Lord because we don’t see it as how it “should” go

All of this boils down to having sight

It is Jesus who gives sight and Him alone.

we cannot see without Him