In John, chapter 9, we learn of a man who was born blind, whom Jesus cured on the Sabbath Day. This story displays the true love that Jesus had for this man. He didn’t have to cure Him but did so because of His great love for Him. Jesus is our greater healer and has shown this through His miracles, while He was on earth and still does on earth today. Anyone that truly believes that Jesus Christ is Lord will also have the same miracles happen in their lives also. Sure, what happened in this event was pertinent to this man’s new found faith and becoming a believer and even a follower of Jesus. However, it has a much deeper meaning to us all and our walk with Christ. So to begin this study, we will be going over this chapter, and starting off with verses 1. It is vital to understand these first few verses, in order to not judge people and to treat people kindly when they are sick. Now let us read….
John 9:1-3 (KJV)
1 And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth.
2 And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?
3 Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.
As we learn here, people are not born into an illness or deficiency because of sin. Neither is this the case when health problems fall onto a person. It is not fare for the person that is sick to be judged this way and also true Christians should never assume the worst about somebody, just because of their illness. Instead, we ought to pray for them that are sick. Therefore, as Jesus taught, to think that somebody that is sick is in sin is wrong. Now, what is interesting about this is that Jesus’s disciples were the ones that asked Jesus this question. So, while they followed Him, they were not always correct in their thinking. And this would not change until the Holy Spirit fell upon them, when Jesus appeared to them in His resurrection. This is when Jesus breathed upon them and they were filled with the Holy Spirit in John 20:22. So, the story continues and Jesus does a mighty miracle in this man’s life. In the verses below, pay close attention to how the man responded after being healed. and how the pharisees responded, starting with verse 4…
John 9:4-17 (KJV)
4 I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.
5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.
6 When he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and he anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay,
7 And said unto him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam, (which is by interpretation, Sent.) He went his way therefore, and washed, and came seeing.
8 The neighbours therefore, and they which before had seen him that he was blind, said, Is not this he that sat and begged?
9 Some said, This is he: others said, He is like him: but he said, I am he.
10 Therefore said they unto him, How were thine eyes opened?
11 He answered and said, A man that is called Jesus made clay, and anointed mine eyes, and said unto me, Go to the pool of Siloam, and wash: and I went and washed, and I received sight.
12 Then said they unto him, Where is he? He said, I know not.
13 They brought to the Pharisees him that aforetime was blind.
14 And it was the sabbath day when Jesus made the clay, and opened his eyes.
15 Then again the Pharisees also asked him how he had received his sight. He said unto them, He put clay upon mine eyes, and I washed, and do see.
16 Therefore said some of the Pharisees, This man is not of God, because he keepeth not the sabbath day. Others said, How can a man that is a sinner do such miracles? And there was a division among them.
17 They say unto the blind man again, What sayest thou of him, that he hath opened thine eyes? He said, He is a prophet.
So the miracle took place, as the blind man washed off the clay, that Jesus put on His eyes, and was healed. In that same moment, people began to wonder at what they just saw and if he was the same man that was once blind. However, the Pharisees did not see it the same way as their hearts were closed off to the possibility that Jesus was God. Because Jesus did this on the Sabbath, in their eyes He had to be not of God, but a sinner. However, the people were divided in what they thought about this miraculous event. However, the man that was healed, knew something was different about Jesus. And the more he thought about it, the more he understand who Jesus was. At first, he mentioned that Jesus was a prophet, for the miracles he performed. However, as we read more, not only was his physical eyes opened but his spiritual eyes as well, and He could see the Lord for who he truly was. The story continues in verse 18…
John 9:18-34 (KJV)
18 But the Jews did not believe concerning him, that he had been blind, and received his sight, until they called the parents of him that had received his sight.
19 And they asked them, saying, Is this your son, who ye say was born blind? how then doth he now see?
20 His parents answered them and said, We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind:
21 But by what means he now seeth, we know not; or who hath opened his eyes, we know not: he is of age; ask him: he shall speak for himself.
22 These words spake his parents, because they feared the Jews: for the Jews had agreed already, that if any man did confess that he was Christ, he should be put out of the synagogue.
23 Therefore said his parents, He is of age; ask him.
24 Then again called they the man that was blind, and said unto him, Give God the praise: we know that this man is a sinner.
25 He answered and said, Whether he be a sinner or no, I know not: one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see.
26 Then said they to him again, What did he to thee? how opened he thine eyes?
27 He answered them, I have told you already, and ye did not hear: wherefore would ye hear it again? will ye also be his disciples?
28 Then they reviled him, and said, Thou art his disciple; but we are Moses’ disciples.
29 We know that God spake unto Moses: as for this fellow, we know not from whence he is.
30 The man answered and said unto them, Why herein is a marvellous thing, that ye know not from whence he is, and yet he hath opened mine eyes.
31 Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth.
32 Since the world began was it not heard that any man opened the eyes of one that was born blind.
33 If this man were not of God, he could do nothing.
34 They answered and said unto him, Thou wast altogether born in sins, and dost thou teach us? And they cast him out.
The story continued and the man’s parents came into question as well. And they also confirmed that their son was born blind. They also told the Pharisees to ask their son, if they had any more questions. So they did so and what the son said was remarkable. In simple terms, he began by saying, “I was blind, now I see.” Then he said, speaking of Jesus “will ye also be his disciples?” What is amazing is what he then taught the pharisees. He said, “why herein is a marvellous thing, that ye know not from whence he is, and yet he hath opened mine eyes. Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth. Since the world began was it not heard that any man opened the eyes of one that was born blind. If this man were not of God, he could do nothing.” There is so much to learn in what this man taught and how he could have known such things. This is because the Spirit of God was upon Him.
As we’ve learned, what this man said was remarkable indeed. And the reason is, the things he taught are true in scripture. Those that things are… #1 He said, “God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth”. This is in line with Proverbs 15:29, as it also reads, “the Lord is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.” This is the same teaching that Solomon taught in Proverbs. Therefore, God was speaking through this man in the hour he was with the Pharisee’s. #2 He said, “If this man were not of God, he could do nothing.” This is fascinating since in John 3:2, Nicodemos said the same thing to Jesus. It reads, “we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.” This is the same teaching indeed. Now, although this man was ridiculed by the Pharisees and was cast out by them, Jesus then found him and showed his true nature to him. This is when the man’s spiritual eyes were fully opened. Let us read what happened, starting in verse 35…
John 9:35-41 (KJV)
35 Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when he had found him, he said unto him, Dost thou believe on the Son of God?
36 He answered and said, Who is he, Lord, that I might believe on him?
37 And Jesus said unto him, Thou hast both seen him, and it is he that talketh with thee.
38 And he said, Lord, I believe. And he worshipped him.
39 And Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind.
40 And some of the Pharisees which were with him heard these words, and said unto him, Are we blind also?
41 Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth.
So the best ending that could ever happen to someone, happened to this man, of which was healed from blindness. And what I speak of is amazing, because only Jesus could do it. He for one, was able to heal the man that physically blind and then heal him spiritually. Jesus simply asked the man, “Dost thou believe on the Son of God?” and his response was “Who is he, Lord, that I might believe on him?” In this moment, the man was ready and willing to believe in the Lord, our God. And because of this, Jesus said to him, “thou hast both seen him, and it is he that talketh with thee.” So, Jesus showed the man his glory “and he said, Lord, I believe. And he worshipped him.” The Lord then received his worship, for He is the Son of God and Lord of all. Now the Pharisee then asked Jesus and important question, as they also saw this take place. They asked Jesus, “Are we blind also?” To which “Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth.” Therefore, people will remain spiritually blind if they continue to say they can already see. This is when their guilt and sins will remain with them. It is only when we are broken before God and truly desire God’s forgiveness is when healing takes place and eyes are opened.
Let us pray:
Oh Lord, there is truly no one like You. You have the power to heal our lives like nobody can. What we gain from earthly physicians is temporary health and wellness but with You, there is an eternity of healing, both body and soul. You don’t just want to do things temporary for us but do a work that lasts forever. What a wonderful and miraculous God, You are. Surely, people are missing out on their opportunities to know You, when they are stubborn and instead decide not to follow You, but do their own thing. These people do not see how lost they truly are and often will never see this until death hits them. It is then, when they are before You in judgement that they will know that You Jesus, our God, and also the creator and judge of all things. You truly deserve all the worship, all the honor, all the glory and all the praise. However, even many Christians only say they believe in You, but have no honor in how they live their lives. This is truly disappointing Lord, for Your ways are glorious and are truly life changing. There is no greater joy and love than what You have to offer us. I just wish people’s eyes could be opened to see this, as You have opened my eyes. I was once blind, but I can now see. Truly, I was lost, but You have found me and I am made well. There are always lives struggles, but You are my strength and the one that gives me comfort. Thank You Lord. I love You God. Amen.
