John 9 - Born Blind
Posted on November 30, 2011 by Unknown
Healing the blind is one of the most common miracles that Jesus does in John. In this passage however we look at a man whose healing makes him a living parable to all around.
The event takes place somewhere between the feast of tabernacles, and the feast of blessing. It is a nice transition where in the chapter before Jesus reveals his deity, while emphasizing the spiritual blindness of the Jewish leaders.
Breakdown of v.1-12
Problem - There is a man who was born blind. It is clear that this is not a psychological issue, but a true physical disability. So the disciples have a question. The law would seem to imply that if he is blind then he is under a curse for some sin done by himself or his family. Jesus isn't fully denying this principle (see Luke 5), but he is pointing out that they area misapplying the principle here (v.3). One of lessons here is that we should
Purpose - So what is the purpose of his suffering? That the works of God may be displayed in his life. Sometimes God's purposes require some measuring of suffering that a greater work of God's goodness might be done. We ask ourselves, how is that fair? But as Christians we should embrace suffering so that our life might be a stage for the glorification of God. Is this not the lesson we see in the life of Christ? When we suffer , we are sharing in the sufferings of Christ.
There are two results of this. Some of those that are blind will see the light of God's suffering and believe. Those that think they can see become even more hardened, rushing out of the light back into the darkness.
V.4 We must work the works of Him who sent me? Who is the we here? Perhaps it is the one who suffered. See John chapter 6 v.28-29. The same phrase is used here and Jesus answers the question. The work that the blind man is doing is to believe. At the end of this story Jesus asks him whether he believes or not.
Power
Jesus heals the man, sending him to a pool of water called Siloam which means sent.
Perplexity
His neighbors are perplexed. How could this be the same man? Later on the pharisees even go to get the man's parents to verify. This man has been sent and having been sent he is testifying to his experience. The transformation for blindness to light should be a observable transformation. This is the nature of conversion. Following a simple method is not enough. Is there a change? Are we different? Do our friends and family look at us and say "who is that?" after the work of Christ has been done in his life.
This man's life became a living parable, so should ours.
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