Was blind but now sees

John 9:1-12

(New International Version)

Jesus Heals a Man Born Blind

1 As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth.
2 His disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" 3 "Neither this man nor his parents sinned," said Jesus, "but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life.
4 As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work.
5 While I am in the world, I am the light of the world."
6 Having said this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man's eyes.
7 "Go," he told him, "wash in the Pool of Siloam" (this word means Sent). So the man went and washed, and came home seeing.
8 His neighbors and those who had formerly seen him begging asked, "Isn't this the same man who used to sit and beg?"
9 Some claimed that he was. Others said, "No, he only looks like him." 
But he himself insisted, "I am the man."
10 "How then were your eyes opened?" they demanded.
11 He replied, "The man they call Jesus made some mud and put it on my eyes. He told me to go to Siloam and wash. So I went and washed, and then I could see."
12 "Where is this man?" they asked him. 
 "I don't know," he said.



I. Message:

Content:

1>（v1-2）When the disciples saw the blind man, they asked Jesus about the connection between sickness (blindness), afflictions and sins. (v1-2)
2>（v3）"Neither this man nor his parents sinned," said Jesus, "but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life. (v3)

3>（v4）Upon mentioning He soon would leave this world, Jesus exhorted the disciples to seize every opportunity to serve. (v4)

4>（v5）Jesus clearly stated that He is the Light of the world. 

5>（v6-7）Jesus healed the man who was born blind.

6>（v8-12） The crowd was so curious about the healing of the blind man and started talking about it. 



Themes：


1> The healing of the man who was born blind. 

2> It displayed God’s work. 

3> Was blind but now sees.


II. Who is God, Jesus Christ or the Holy Spirit?


1>（v2）Jesus Christ the Teacher. 

2>（v3）God who worked wonders. 

3>（v4）God who sent Jesus Christ to the world.

4>（v5）Jesus Christ is the Light of the world. 

5>（v6-7）Jesus Christ has healing power and authority. 


III. What does the passage teach us (about commands, promises, examples, exhortations and warnings)?

1> The reasons of afflictions 

1 As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth.
2 His disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" (v1-2)

When the disciples saw the man who was born blind, immediately, they asked Jesus why. Obviously, the disciples reckoned that there must be some connection between afflictions and sins. In fact, it is not necessarily so. There are some biblical reasons behind the afflictions and I have put them into the following categories: 
a.The result of the first sin (committed by Adam and Eve): The whole human race. (Gen. 3) 
b.As a result of the previous generation’s sin: David and Bathsheba’s son (2 Samuel 12:18) 
c.As a result of personal sins: King Saul (1Samuel16:14); Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1-11) 
d.Suffer for others’ benefits: Joseph (Gen. 50:19-20); Jesus (Hebrews 2:9-10) 
e.Satanic attacks: Job (Book of Job) 
f.Suffer for the purification of life: apostle Paul (2Corin.12:7) 



Reflection: Have I experienced any affliction in my life? Have I pondered the meaning behind these afflictions? Why does it happen? What is my attitude when I face one? Have I complained and blamed someone (God or others) for my own afflictions? Or do I benefit from it? 



2> To display God’s work 
3"Neither this man nor his parents sinned," said Jesus, "but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life. (v3) 
The passage did not emphasize nor did it explain the reason of afflictions. It tended to describe not only that the affliction in life would turn into something wonderful to bless people because of God’s love and intervention. At the same time, it would also display God’s work and manifest God’s glory. 
Whenever we talk about God’s glory being manifested through human’s affliction, we should not misunderstand that this person is unlucky to become a tool through which God manifests His own glory. Instead, we should think that this person is blessed to meet God in the midst of his affliction. This person has been healed, set free and blessed because of God’s love and intervention. 


Reflection: Have I encountered affliction or illness, through which not only have I been blessed because of God’s intervention, but also I have testified to God’s wonderful work, thus His glory is thoroughly manifested?


3> Attitudes in facing afflictions (additional messages) 

There are three aspects that Christians should consider when faced with afflictions: 
Introspection
a.Resulting from personal sin: First, we need to confess our sin (1John 1:8). Then we need to reconcile with God to receive the peace and freedom of the forgiveness of sin. 
b.Not caused by sin: We need to believe that the God of goodness, kindness and faithfulness will watch over us and that He will give us sufficient grace and strength to help us stand firm. (See 1Corin. 9:13; 2Corin. 12:9) 
Second is to bear each other’s burdens 

We should by faith confess to each other and intercede for each other to be healed. (See James 5:13-16)
b.If needed, we could ask leaders in the church to anoint the sick with oil and pray for them so that the sick may be healed. Because we are the body of Christ, we should have a loving heart for each other. 
Third is to be obedient and grateful 

No matter what the situation is, we should learn to trust and to look up to God. It is all in God’s plan. We, Christians, should not think that we are entitled to be healed. God wants us to learn the lessons of joyfulness and gratefulness no matter the circumstance or outcome. (See1Thess. 5:16-18) Sometimes sickness and affliction make us more humble and reverent; we learn more about how to look up to God. It not only turns us into a tool that is more suitable for God at His disposal, it also glorifies His name. 


Reflection: When afflicted, what were my response and attitude in terms of mental and emotions? Did I complain and blame others? Did I give up on God and turn away from Him? Or did I learn the lessons of introspection, bearing each other’s burdens and obeying with gratefulness? 



4> Do the work of God while it is day 
4 As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work.(v4) 
Jesus knew that He would not be around for long, therefore He exhorted His disciples to seize the opportunity to serve God and to complete the mission they were entrusted. Because once the opportunity is gone, more often than not, it never comes back again. 
(additional messages) ---service includes: 

a.
Service in life: The foundation and power to serve
Service with worship, being close to God and submission (See Matt. 4:10) 

b.Service in the sanctuary: The equipment and the resource to serve
Service in preparation for Sunday service, worship and other church functions (See Levi. 3:5-8; 1Tim. 3:15) 

c.Service to all nations: The commitment and the vision to serve
Serve God by participating in the outreach ministries. (See Luke 10:25-37; Matt. 25:34-40) 



Reflection: Whenever the opportunity of equipping myself to serve comes up, do I embrace it or do I excuse myself from it? 



5> Jesus is the Light of the world （v5）
5While I am in the world, I am the light of the world." (v5) 
Jesus claimed Himself as the Light of the world. Jesus made it more clearly in John 8:12, He said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." Therefore, whoever truly knows Jesus and follows Him will be free from the bondage of darkness and live in the light of Jesus Christ.

Reflection: Am I a true Christian who walks in the Light or am I a phony Christian who still lives in darkness and sin?

6> Faith resulting in healing 
6 Having said this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man's eyes. 7"Go," he told him, "wash in the Pool of Siloam" (this word means Sent). So the man went and washed, and came home seeing. (v6-7)
When Jesus was on the earth, He healed various diseases. In the Bible, we notice He uses different methods to heal the sick every time. Although they were different in methods, yet they had one thing in common; whoever had faith in Jesus was healed. Some had personal faith in Him. (See Luke 8:40-48) Some put their faith in Him for another’s healing. (Like 7:1-10; the Centurion) In short, the emphasis was not put on the methods; but rather on their faith.
Secondly, as recorded in this passage, the process of healing seemed more troublesome than other accounts of healing. According to our sanitary customs, we may think that this way is disgusting. However, for the man who was born blind, he did not doubt nor did he reject. Instead, He was cooperative from the beginning to the end. This action showed his thorough trust and his obedience to Jesus, and eventually it resulted in his healing. 



Reflection: How is my faith in Jesus? Do I doubtlessly follow His teachings in the Bible? 
 



7> A testimony of a transformed life （v10-11） 
10"How then were your eyes opened?" they demanded. 11He replied, "The man they call Jesus made some mud and put it on my eyes. He told me to go to Siloam and wash. So I went and washed, and then I could see." (v10-11)
When he was asked how his eyes were opened, he replied neither in eloquence nor with any profound knowledge. He gave the account of his healing in plain language to share this experience of his life. A testimony of a transformed life is so simple yet truthful.


Reflection: Do I often ponder, put together and share the testimony of my life with others? 





Translated by 曾秀娟