The Gospel of John The Life of Jesus as recorded by John The Life of Jesus as recorded by John Man, born blind Man, born blind Week 11, October 15, 2014 Week 11, October 15, 2014

John 9:1-12 “Now as Jesus passed by, He saw a man who was blind from birth. And His disciples asked Him, saying, ‘Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?’ ” John 9:1-12 “Now as Jesus passed by, He saw a man who was blind from birth. And His disciples asked Him, saying, ‘Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?’ ” The question! Wrong on many counts The question! Wrong on many counts 1) Sometimes bad things happen and it is not always because of personal sin. Very bad approach to life. 1) Sometimes bad things happen and it is not always because of personal sin. Very bad approach to life. 2) It is impossible for this man to have sinned in order to be born blind. Would require sinning before birth (impossible) or being punished for sin before committing it (impossible). 2) It is impossible for this man to have sinned in order to be born blind. Would require sinning before birth (impossible) or being punished for sin before committing it (impossible). There is a bad comma in this English version after the word parents. There is a bad comma in this English version after the word parents. 3) It would have been possible for his parents to have sinned resulting in his being born blind. 3) It would have been possible for his parents to have sinned resulting in his being born blind. The Gospel of John

John 9:1-12 “Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him. I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” John 9:1-12 “Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him. I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” Jesus ignores the entire question of sin / suffering. God did not explain it in Job either. Jesus ignores the entire question of sin / suffering. God did not explain it in Job either. Sometimes bad things happen to people so that God may be shown. Sometimes bad things happen to people so that God may be shown. Jesus again speaking of light … this time regarding a blind person. Jesus again speaking of light … this time regarding a blind person. Then again, we are often blind ourselves. Then again, we are often blind ourselves. The Gospel of John

John 9:1-12 “When He had said these things, He spat on the ground and made clay with the saliva; and He anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay. And He said to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which is translated, Sent). So he went and washed, and came back seeing.” John 9:1-12 “When He had said these things, He spat on the ground and made clay with the saliva; and He anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay. And He said to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which is translated, Sent). So he went and washed, and came back seeing.” Sometimes miracles involve some physical activity (Naaman washing in the river, etc). These activities may be used to test the faith of the person being healed or to test the faith of those who observe. Sometimes miracles involve some physical activity (Naaman washing in the river, etc). These activities may be used to test the faith of the person being healed or to test the faith of those who observe. After all, spit with clay / dirt could not restore sight to the blind. After all, spit with clay / dirt could not restore sight to the blind. Note that the man got up and washed. Note that the man got up and washed. The Gospel of John

John 9:1-12 “Therefore the neighbors and those who previously had seen that he was blind said, ‘Is not this he who sat and begged?’ Some said, “This is he.” Others said, “He is like him.” John 9:1-12 “Therefore the neighbors and those who previously had seen that he was blind said, ‘Is not this he who sat and begged?’ Some said, “This is he.” Others said, “He is like him.” He had been blind his entire life and sitting near them for a long time, yet they had not seen him. He had been blind his entire life and sitting near them for a long time, yet they had not seen him. How guilty of that are we? How guilty of that are we? Why do we so often not see the sufferings of others? Why is it hard to see the hungry, the less- well-off? Why do we so often not see the sufferings of others? Why is it hard to see the hungry, the less- well-off? “You have the poor with you always” “You have the poor with you always” Challenge: be willing to see those who need help. Challenge: be willing to see those who need help. The Gospel of John

John 9:1-12 “He said, “I am he.” Therefore they said to him, “How were your eyes opened?” He answered and said, “A Man called Jesus made clay and anointed my eyes and said to me, ‘Go to the pool of Siloam and wash.’ So I went and washed, and I received sight.” Then they said to him, “Where is He?” He said, “I do not know.” John 9:1-12 “He said, “I am he.” Therefore they said to him, “How were your eyes opened?” He answered and said, “A Man called Jesus made clay and anointed my eyes and said to me, ‘Go to the pool of Siloam and wash.’ So I went and washed, and I received sight.” Then they said to him, “Where is He?” He said, “I do not know.” Jesus heals the man and does not hang around. Jesus heals the man and does not hang around. If we had healed this man, would we have been nearby waiting for congratulations, for compliments? If we had healed this man, would we have been nearby waiting for congratulations, for compliments? Jesus does a good thing and does not look for any reward. Jesus does a good thing and does not look for any reward. The Gospel of John

John 9:1-12 “A Man called Jesus…” John 9:1-12 “A Man called Jesus…” The formerly blind man only knows Jesus as a “man.” The formerly blind man only knows Jesus as a “man.” Watch the description he uses of Jesus throughout these events. Watch the description he uses of Jesus throughout these events. The Gospel of John

John 9:13-17 “They brought him who formerly was blind to the Pharisees. Now it was a Sabbath when Jesus made the clay and opened his eyes.” John 9:13-17 “They brought him who formerly was blind to the Pharisees. Now it was a Sabbath when Jesus made the clay and opened his eyes.” Again, on a Sabbath day. Again, on a Sabbath day. If a man extinguished a lamp - work! If a man extinguished a lamp - work! “A man may not fill a dish with oil and put it beside a lamp and put the end of a wick in it” “A man may not fill a dish with oil and put it beside a lamp and put the end of a wick in it” “If a man extinguishes a lamp on the Sabbath to spare the lamp or the oil or the wick, he is culpable” “If a man extinguishes a lamp on the Sabbath to spare the lamp or the oil or the wick, he is culpable” Etc. Etc. Jesus doesn’t just heal a man, he makes clay. Jesus doesn’t just heal a man, he makes clay. The laws of the Sabbath Jesus “violated” were human laws, not God’s. The laws of the Sabbath Jesus “violated” were human laws, not God’s. The Gospel of John

John 9:13-17 “Then the Pharisees also asked him again how he had received his sight. He said to them, “He put clay on my eyes, and I washed, and I see.” John 9:13-17 “Then the Pharisees also asked him again how he had received his sight. He said to them, “He put clay on my eyes, and I washed, and I see.” “Therefore some of the Pharisees said, “This Man is not from God, because He does not keep the Sabbath.” Others said, “How can a man who is a sinner do such signs?” And there was a division among them.” “Therefore some of the Pharisees said, “This Man is not from God, because He does not keep the Sabbath.” Others said, “How can a man who is a sinner do such signs?” And there was a division among them.” This is a good sign. Some have begun to see. Jesus put before the Jewish leaders what they felt was an unsolvable dilemma. This is a good sign. Some have begun to see. Jesus put before the Jewish leaders what they felt was an unsolvable dilemma. The only solution was to accept Him for what He claimed to be - the Son of God. The only solution was to accept Him for what He claimed to be - the Son of God. The Gospel of John

John 9:13-17 “They said to the blind man again, “What do you say about Him because He opened your eyes?” John 9:13-17 “They said to the blind man again, “What do you say about Him because He opened your eyes?” “He said, “He is a prophet.” “He said, “He is a prophet.” Now the formerly blind man calls Jesus a “prophet” Now the formerly blind man calls Jesus a “prophet” In other words, He must be from God. In other words, He must be from God. Note how brave this man is. The Jewish leaders had the ability to bar someone from entering the synagogue. Note how brave this man is. The Jewish leaders had the ability to bar someone from entering the synagogue. The Gospel of John

John 9:18-23 “But the Jews did not believe concerning him, that he had been blind and received his sight, until they called the parents of him who had received his sight. And they asked them, saying, “Is this your son, who you say was born blind? How then does he now see?” John 9:18-23 “But the Jews did not believe concerning him, that he had been blind and received his sight, until they called the parents of him who had received his sight. And they asked them, saying, “Is this your son, who you say was born blind? How then does he now see?” Note that they say “Who you say” - they want to cast doubt on this man’s blindness. If it came upon him after birth, perhaps it could have reversed itself later. His parents aren’t cooperative. Note that they say “Who you say” - they want to cast doubt on this man’s blindness. If it came upon him after birth, perhaps it could have reversed itself later. His parents aren’t cooperative. “His parents answered them and said, “We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind; but by what means he now sees we do not know, or who opened his eyes we do not know. He is of age; ask him. He will speak for himself.” His parents said these things because they feared the Jews, for the Jews had agreed already that if anyone confessed that He was Christ, he would be put out of the synagogue. Therefore his parents said, “He is of age; ask him.” “His parents answered them and said, “We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind; but by what means he now sees we do not know, or who opened his eyes we do not know. He is of age; ask him. He will speak for himself.” His parents said these things because they feared the Jews, for the Jews had agreed already that if anyone confessed that He was Christ, he would be put out of the synagogue. Therefore his parents said, “He is of age; ask him.” Not exactly the help some of us might have wanted from our parents, but the leaders need to get the story from the man. Not exactly the help some of us might have wanted from our parents, but the leaders need to get the story from the man. The Gospel of John

John 9:24-29 “So they again called the man who was blind, and said to him, “Give God the glory! We know that this Man is a sinner.” John 9:24-29 “So they again called the man who was blind, and said to him, “Give God the glory! We know that this Man is a sinner.” Phrase essentially meant “Tell the truth” Phrase essentially meant “Tell the truth” “He answered and said, “Whether He is a sinner or not I do not know. One thing I know: that though I was blind, now I see.” “He answered and said, “Whether He is a sinner or not I do not know. One thing I know: that though I was blind, now I see.” “Then they said to him again, “What did He do to you? How did He open your eyes?” “Then they said to him again, “What did He do to you? How did He open your eyes?” “He answered them, “I told you already, and you did not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you also want to become His disciples?” “He answered them, “I told you already, and you did not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you also want to become His disciples?” Man is getting a bit snippy hear, but hard to blame him. Man is getting a bit snippy hear, but hard to blame him. “Then they reviled him and said, “You are His disciple, but we are Moses’ disciples. We know that God spoke to Moses; as for this fellow, we do not know where He is from.” “Then they reviled him and said, “You are His disciple, but we are Moses’ disciples. We know that God spoke to Moses; as for this fellow, we do not know where He is from.” The Gospel of John

John 9:30-34 “The man answered and said to them, “Why, this is a marvelous thing, that you do not know where He is from; yet He has opened my eyes!” John 9:30-34 “The man answered and said to them, “Why, this is a marvelous thing, that you do not know where He is from; yet He has opened my eyes!” Some sarcasm here. He’s really not helping his position with the Jewish leaders, but then they aren’t listening. Some sarcasm here. He’s really not helping his position with the Jewish leaders, but then they aren’t listening. “Now we know that God does not hear sinners” “Now we know that God does not hear sinners” Here the man makes a statement that’s not entirely true. Here the man makes a statement that’s not entirely true. We are all sinners, yet God hears us. We are all sinners, yet God hears us. God heard Cornelius’ prayers / alms while he was a sinner. God heard Cornelius’ prayers / alms while he was a sinner. Correct point that no one who is continuously opposed to God, in rebellion to God, will be heard. Correct point that no one who is continuously opposed to God, in rebellion to God, will be heard. The Gospel of John

John 9:30-34 “… but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does His will, He hears him. Since the world began it has been unheard of that anyone opened the eyes of one who was born blind. If this Man were not from God, He could do nothing.” John 9:30-34 “… but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does His will, He hears him. Since the world began it has been unheard of that anyone opened the eyes of one who was born blind. If this Man were not from God, He could do nothing.” How true! How true! “They answered and said to him, “You were completely born in sins, and are you teaching us?” And they cast him out.” “They answered and said to him, “You were completely born in sins, and are you teaching us?” And they cast him out.” Because the man stands up for Jesus, they cast him out. More snobbery from the leaders. Because the man stands up for Jesus, they cast him out. More snobbery from the leaders. The Gospel of John

John 9:35-41 “Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when He had found him, He said to him, “Do you believe in the Son of God?” John 9:35-41 “Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when He had found him, He said to him, “Do you believe in the Son of God?” “He answered and said, “Who is He, Lord, that I may believe in Him?” “He answered and said, “Who is He, Lord, that I may believe in Him?” “And Jesus said to him, “You have both seen Him and it is He who is talking with you.” “And Jesus said to him, “You have both seen Him and it is He who is talking with you.” “Then he said, “Lord, I believe!” And he worshiped Him.” “Then he said, “Lord, I believe!” And he worshiped Him.” What a wonderful journey for this formerly blind man. Jesus goes from being a man, to a prophet, to his savior as the Son of God. What a wonderful journey for this formerly blind man. Jesus goes from being a man, to a prophet, to his savior as the Son of God. The Jews cast him out of the temple, then the Lord of the Temple found him. The Jews cast him out of the temple, then the Lord of the Temple found him. The Gospel of John

John 9:35-41 “And Jesus said, “For judgment I have come into this world, that those who do not see may see, and that those who see may be made blind.” John 9:35-41 “And Jesus said, “For judgment I have come into this world, that those who do not see may see, and that those who see may be made blind.” Spiritual application: The Jews who had been given the oracles of God and access to God’s Word would pretty much reject Jesus. Spiritual application: The Jews who had been given the oracles of God and access to God’s Word would pretty much reject Jesus. The Gentiles would accept Him. The Gentiles would accept Him. “Then some of the Pharisees who were with Him heard these words, and said to Him, “Are we blind also?” “Then some of the Pharisees who were with Him heard these words, and said to Him, “Are we blind also?” “Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you would have no sin; but now you say, ‘We see.’ Therefore your sin remains.” “Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you would have no sin; but now you say, ‘We see.’ Therefore your sin remains.” Yes, they were blind. Yes, they were blind. The Gospel of John

John 9:35-41 “Then some of the Pharisees who were with Him heard these words, and said to Him, “Are we blind also? Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you would have no sin; but now you say, ‘We see.’ Therefore your sin remains.” John 9:35-41 “Then some of the Pharisees who were with Him heard these words, and said to Him, “Are we blind also? Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you would have no sin; but now you say, ‘We see.’ Therefore your sin remains.” Only the person who realizes his own blindness can learn to see. Only the one who realizes his own sin can be forgiven. Only the person who realizes his own blindness can learn to see. Only the one who realizes his own sin can be forgiven. When a person is confronted with Jesus, he passes judgment on himself. When a person is confronted with Jesus, he passes judgment on himself. If he sees in Jesus nothing to admire, nothing to love, nothing to desire, then he has condemned himself. If he sees in Jesus nothing to admire, nothing to love, nothing to desire, then he has condemned himself. If he sees something to wonder at, something to respond to, something to reach out to, then that person is on the way to God. If he sees something to wonder at, something to respond to, something to reach out to, then that person is on the way to God. What do you see in Jesus? What do you see in Jesus? See you next week. See you next week. The Gospel of John