One Thing I Know (4)

John 9:1-12, 24-25, 35-41

Main Idea: Jesus gives sight to eyes that have never seen the light.

Life Application: When blindness disappears, the credit goes only to God.

INTRODUCTION

Whenever sun and darkness meet, one or the other prevails. In a natural sense, darkness cannot overpower light. Since Jesus is the Light of the world, his presence cancels the darkness of sin and evil. When light penetrates darkness, there is an instantaneous transformation. No matter how deep the night, it cannot withstand the power of eternal light. With the restoration of spiritual eyesight, there is no question that something supernatural has occurred.

To logically explain what is supernatural is impossible. Although people sometimes try to mimic the supernatural or deny it altogether, there are times when the supernatural is impossible to deny. While counterfeit powers exist in the world, there is a point they cannot pass. Even the pagan magicians in the Egyptian palace finally admitted to Pharaoh, this is the finger of God. When God works a miracle, the credit must never go to any person but only God.

Transition Statement: Since Jesus is the Light, he can give sight to eyes that have never seen.

· The reason for blindness. This happened so the work of God might be displayed in his life.

In the context of our passage, the disciples asked Jesus who was responsible for the man born blind. Was it his parents or he who had sinned? In our minds this may seem like a strange question, since the man was blind from birth. However, the rabbis taught the possibility of sin occurring within the mother’s womb. For example, if she engaged in pagan worship while carrying her baby, the unborn child had sinned. They also taught sin and suffering were always connected. While sin does have consequences, Jesus made it clear this man’s condition did not result from a specific sin. Although the Scriptures teach the power of God to heal, physically and spiritually, they do not guarantee physical healing. When we pray for physical healing, we should pray in faith and pray for the will of God to be done. Spiritual healing is always within the will of God.

Throughout the ministry of Jesus, we observe his awareness of his surroundings. He understood his mission was to do the work of the one who sent him. Suffering and spiritual blindness call us to be busy in the harvest field. God does not need trophy saints but workers willing to get involved. Perhaps we wonder why suffering exists if God is loving and good. This question is beyond our reasoning but should drive us to diligent work. In our eyes, suffering is unnecessary since it is painful. We do not want pain but want to feel good. However, God often chooses to sanctify suffering for our eternal good. “God uses suffering to break us of self-dependence and bring us to rely on him” (Alcorn). Even though we pass through times of suffering, we must see the needs around us and be ready to work before the night descends.

· The requisite for deliverance. Go, wash in the Pool of Siloam.

While the method Jesus used for opening the blind man’s eyes seems repulsive, spittle was often considered to have medicinal value in ancient times. Although Jesus could have spoken a word to have the man’s sight restored, he chose to smear mud on the eyes of the blind man. However, the healing came when the blind man obeyed Jesus and washed in Siloam’s waters. In the original language, Siloam means “sent.” Jesus, the One sent from heaven, sent the blind man to the pool where he received his sight. His sight was not restored but given to him for the first time. Those who receive miracles dare not be too picky. The Syrian captain, Naaman, was cleansed from his leprosy when he obeyed the prophet and washed seven times in the Jordan River. The unnamed blind man allowed Jesus to anoint his eyes with spittle and mud but received perfect sight.

Although there is no substitute for obedience, it is often ignored or qualified. God does not want partial or half-hearted obedience. Walking obediently with God can be scary. “You will never know God is trustworthy if you don’t risk obeying Him” (Ortberg). Are you willing to be obedient to God if you cannot see how it will end?

· The result of obedience. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!

When a transformation is instantaneous and complete, the only logical choice anyone has is to give God glory and praise. To imagine how the blind man felt when his blindness disappeared is more than we can comprehend. Since God is supernatural, our understanding of divine power is limited. However, we know when our sight is restored. As born-again children of God, we are called out of the darkness of sin and into the wonderful light of God’s eternal kingdom. Once again, friends, light, and darkness cannot coexist. Although the blind man did not know who Jesus was, he soon found out and worshipped with opened eyes, physically and spiritually. “Jesus is true to those who are true to Him” (Barclay).

Although the Pharisees were competent in their knowledge of God, they did not recognize Jesus as the truth of God. In their zeal for the letter of the law, they missed the spirit of the law. Even though they thought their vision was perfect, their spiritual eyes were dimmed by the sins of pride and arrogance. With knowledge comes responsibility. When we view people, we sometimes see their weaknesses and peculiarities. But the more we know Jesus, we realize he exceeds all our ideas and conceptions. Jesus never disappoints but remains faithful and true.

Transitional Statement: While miracles are delightful, they are always beyond the realm of our understanding.

CONCLUSION

When Christ brought sight to the blind man, there were mixed reactions. Some people were doubtful; others were critical. How dare Jesus break their precious Sabbath laws? After all, these regulations made them feel righteous. Outward performance enables us to judge those who fail to comply with what we think is right. We dare not be so enamored by our understanding of righteousness that we discount what God does through those who do not dot the i’s or cross the t’s according to our theological standards. When people leave sinful practices or addictions, we should celebrate rather than criticize. We must operate within the boundaries of grace, not rigid Pharisaic judgmentalism.

Within the religious world, there is a trend to focus on a social gospel, corporate righteousness rather than an emphasis on a personal transformation. Although God does call his church to be salt and light to a corrupt and dark world, His Word teaches personal repentance and salvation. The inward and outward life of every professed Christian should witness to a new creation. As the blind man testified, one thing I do know. I was blind, but now I see! Friends, many things do not matter when weighed in the context of eternity. However, a personal transformation from spiritual darkness into the light of the gospel matters now and for all eternity.

Closing Song: I was Blind, but Now I See

Prayer

Lord God, today we admit our spiritual eyes need your touch. The allurements of this world have blinded us for too long. We cannot see eternal values because our eyes are closed. At times we profess to walk in the light, yet we stumble on in spiritual darkness. Today, we want a change; we desire transformation. We will be obedient and do what you tell us. Remove the scales of sin and lethargy that blind our eyes. Lord, we are tired of the darkness; we long for the light! We repent and forsake our sin. Heal our sight, save us by your grace, and enable us to live a new life in Christ. We pray this in the name of Jesus, our Lord and Savior.

BENEDICTION

May the Lord walk beside you to comfort you. May the Lord walk above you to watch over you. May the Lord walk behind you to keep you safe. May the Lord walk before you to show you the way. (Lynn, 2005)