Sight From The Blind Man

Sight From The Blind Man

Text: John 9

Introduction:

What are human beings? This is asked in three places in scripture:

Psalm 8:3–4 “3 When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, The moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; 4 What is man, that thou art mindful of him? And the son of man, that thou visitest him?”

Psalm 144:3 “3 Lord, what is man, that thou Takest knowledge of him! Or the son of man, that thou makest account of him!”

Job said, Job 7:17–18 “17 What is man, that thou shouldest magnify him? And that thou shouldest set thine heart upon him? 18 And that thou shouldest visit him every morning, And try him every moment?”

God’s desire for humanity is to “see Him.” To see Him, receive Him, and enjoy Him for eternity.

We have arrived at another moment in Jesus’ ministry when He person and purpose is on full display for everyone to see! This will be accomplished from an unlikely person; a blind man!

Many times throughout history, the most influential people for the gospel, are those who labor through a physical impairment.

You and I all have our personal and physical issues. These at times can become more consuming as we age. However, God is so lovingly powerful, He remains excited to use you at every stage of the physical decline!

That matters a whole lot! Why? We are all on a health decline to end up at the cemetery. Never at any point does God turn His eyes and heart away from you! His purpose for you will always be active! YOU JUST HAVE TO BELIEVE THAT!

Within this story, we are going to learn some things:

First — God uses present discomfort to guide you and many others to an eternity of comfort with Him.

Second — The work of grace is but for a season.

Thirdly — The transforming work of God’s grace is on display for all to see.

Fourthly — There will be those who will discourage your faith.

Fifthly — You and your new faith will not always be accepted in this world.

Sixth — In light of the evidence, will you believe or not?

1) The Potter Displays The Clay

A. The narrow view of this man’s condition (v1-7)

There is always a temptation for you to look at difficult circumstances through a lens of selfishness, logic, human reasoning.

The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Nine: The Blind Man Calls Their Bluff (John 9)

to blame a specific disability on a specific sin committed by specific persons is certainly beyond any man’s ability or authority. Only God knows why babies are born with handicaps, and only God can turn those handicaps into something that will bring good to the people and glory to His name.

Jesus never suggested that God has deliberately made this man blind just so He could later heal him.

Notice the question from Jesus’ disciples.

The disciples were approaching this man as a point of discussion instead of a point of showing compassion too.

It’s far easier to talk about serving, it is another to do it.

What you are getting ready to witness is Jesus placing a larger than life purpose on something that would be otherwise purposeless and hopeless.

B. Jesus will never leaves a work unfinshed

Focus in on verses 3-5

Jesus said, “This man’s disease was not a result from sin, but a disease that passed through God’s power, purposeful and sovereign hands as a grand stage to display His life changing grace to be seen and ultimately experienced.

God can take the lung issues, skin issue, eye issues, and many more and purpose them to something valuable for His kingdom!

You are going to have to surrender whatever it is to that reality and not something you just complain about.

Jesus said, “I have a work to do and a timeframe to get it done in.”

We all are blessed to live in what it called the “age of grace.”

Like all other ages, this age will come to and END!!!

C. The Potter reshapes the clay

The Apostle Paul’s life — 2 Corinthians 12:9 “9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”

I am thrilled to live in a world, though sin has left its mark, brought its diseases, promoted its power, yet Jesus can take “mud” and shape someone to a much higher purpose that brings a greater contentment.

2) The Clay Displays The Potter (v8-34)

A. Many people NOTICED the difference Jesus made on this man’s life.

“Neighbors” and those who knew him before.

We learn that this man had a PAST.

We learn this man was UNASHAMED of who he had become.

(Scripture, give men an answer) This supernatural work will raise questions from others.

Jesus provided the clay and presented a moment of faith for this man.

B. A bold and open faith gets the attention of the naysayers.

Notice how the religious leaders continued to ask the wrong question; HOW?

They should have been asking “WHO?”

Why do you get so caught up in the HOW?

God has provided freedom from understanding the HOW, by simply trusting in the WHO!

The religious leaders try to discredit Jesus with the confines of their religious system.

They failed to realize that Jesus was offering something far greater than the Sabbath.

Matthew 11:28–30 “28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Jesus needed no validation from “religion.” The Father validated His authority!

(V16) Man’s religion only brings division and confusion.

The Jewish leaders make a smarty move by calling his parents.

They were either confirming Jesus was not using a look a like or counting on them denying their son’s account of what happened.

The parents used what we call PASSING THE BUCK. This was done in fear of excommunication.

It is far better to be rejected by your friends than by the Father in Heaven!!!

Notice verses 22-23

They started making threats toward this man (v24)

All this man was able to offer was what HE DID KNOW! (V25)

(v.27-28) When man’s religion is confronted with the real Jesus, pride will rise to the surface.

C. The healed man reasons with the doubters (v30-33)

He was awe struck at the level of their resistance.

Religion and sentimental feelings can quickly harden a heart.

Notice some solid points he makes:

First — I am living proof of what Jesus can do.

Second — Jesus was not a sinner.

Third — Jesus was sent from God.

Q — How many of you are ready to reason with others about your faith?

For some of you, it is no surprise that you would not be due to your lack of being present to be taught the scriptures.

Be patient as you learn God’s Word.

Set goals for yourself to learn particular truths over a certain period of time.

Ask God for guidance as you study His Word.

There was a two-fold result: Seeds of truth were sown and he was rejected.

The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Nine: The Blind Man Calls Their Bluff (John 9)

The Pharisees were cautious men who would consider themselves conservatives, when in reality they were “preservatives.” A true conservative takes the best of the past and uses it, but he is also aware of the new things that God is doing. The new grows out of the old (Matt. 13:52). A “preservative” simply embalms the past and preserves it. He is against change and resists the new things that God is doing. Had the Pharisees really understood Moses, they would have known who Jesus was and what He was doing.

3) The Clay Receives The Potter (v. 35-41)

A. The blind man “sees” Jesus

Jesus always makes a way for the soul to “see” and “hear” Him.

For us today, once we hear Him and believe Him, we will one day “see” Him.

B. Forgiveness and new life was given at the moment of faith

We have now reach the climax of his knowledge and faith in Jesus.

The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Nine: The Blind Man Calls Their Bluff (John 9)

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 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

The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Nine: The Blind Man Calls Their Bluff (John 9)

The beggar was physically blind and spiritually blind, yet both his eyes and his heart were opened. Why? Because he listened to the Word, believed it, obeyed, and experienced the grace of God.

The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Nine: The Blind Man Calls Their Bluff (John 9)

The Pharisees had good physical vision, but they were blind spiritually. Had they listened to the Word and sincerely considered the evidence, they too would have believed on Jesus Christ and been born again.

The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Nine: The Blind Man Calls Their Bluff (John 9)

If they had examined the evidence with honesty, they would have seen the truth clearly.

The use to be blind man’s faith was the key to receiving forgiveness and new life!

Woman with an issue of blood — Matthew 9:22 “22 But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour.”

10 Lepers cleansed/one returned — Luke 17:19 “19 And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.”

The blind man who yelled, “Jesus thou Son of David, have mercy on me.” — Luke 18:42 “42 And Jesus said unto him, Receive thy sight: thy faith hath saved thee.”

1 John 5:1 “1 Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.”

Conclusion

Believer — Will you trust the Potter’s hands? By all means, present the shape you would like to be for Him. Then, receive with a trusting heart the shape He promotes you to be in order others might see Him.

Unbeliever — You are in a guilty and condemned shape! You sin has accomplished that! Turn your faith over to Jesus and let the Potter of grace shape you into a forgiven vessel.

Much similar to the former blind man’s parents and unbelieving religious leaders, there are people today who must choose between their family and Christ, tradition and Christ, or religion and Christ.

The cost was great, yet the former blind man made the best choice.

All earthly loss is worth it when it comes to gaining new life in Christ and a home in Heaven.

What will be your choice today?