INTERNET BIBLE STUDIES

John - Lesson 16

John Chapter 9:1-41

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e-mail: davidparham@internetbible.net

 

Memory verse for this week: Rom 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

Introduction: Last week we saw Jesus attempting to reach the Jews with the truth concerning His relationship with the Heavenly Father. He told them that if they were truly of their father Abraham, that they would do his works. And they marvelled when Jesus said that Abraham rejoiced to see Jesus come, and thought He was lying when Jesus said "Before Abraham, I am." It was true, because Jesus was God manifested in the flesh.

 

I.    The Blind Man Healed

John 9:1 And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth.

John 9:2 And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?

We see that the man which was near Jesus was blind from his birth. How horrible that a person could never see the wonders and beauty to God’s creations. But even if in this life we have our eyesight and yet never come to know Jesus as Savior, we are spiritually blind which is far worse. If a person never had eyesight in this life and still knew Jesus as Savior, the day will come when those eyes will be able to see when we receive our glorified bodies from the Lord.

Man is born with a sinful nature and is blinded to his sin.

Eph 4:17 This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,

Eph 4:18 Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:

Today, the Jews eyes are blinded to the truth that Jesus was the Messiah who came to earth almost 2000 years ago.

2 Cor 3:14 But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same veil untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which veil is done away in Christ.

Who is responsible for blinding people’s eyes to the truth? It is the ultimate deceiver, Satan himself.

2 Cor 4:3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:

2 Cor 4:4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

 

 

John 9:3 Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.

John 9:4 I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.

Jesus clearly teaches that this man was not born blind due to his sin or his parent’s sin. It was done truly for the Glory of God. When we face trials, it may seem hard at the time, but God may be

Using the trial to bring a more excellent thing into our lives. We grow the most when we are under the test. Jesus warns that He was to be about the Father’s work because the night was coming when no man can work. If Jesus could see the urgency of the day back then, how much greater should our eyes be opened to the task at hand. Truly, the fields are all white ready for the harvest.

 

I was reading in John Calvin’s commentary on these first 4 verses, and I want to share his thoughts on this.

"Since the scripture declares that all mankind’s troubles come from sin, whenever we see anyone in a bad state we cannot help thinking that the distresses are punishments inflicted by God’s hand. But here we generally err in three ways.

Since everyone is a sharp critic of others, few apply the same severity to themselves as they should. If things go badly with my brother, I at once acknowledge the judgment of God. But if God chastises me with a heavier blow, I overlook my sins. In thinking about punishments, everyone should begin with himself and spare no one less than himself. And so, if we want to judge fairly in this matter, we must learn to be perspicacious about our own evils rather than about other’s.

The second error lies in being unduly sever. No sooner is a man touched by the hand of God than we interpret it as deadly hatred and make crimes out of faults and almost despair of his salvation. On the other hand, we excuse our sins and are hardly conscious of faults when we have committed most serious crimes.

Thirdly, we are wrong to condemn everyone without any exception whom God exercises with the cross. What we have said just now is undoubtedly true, that all our distresses arise from sin. But God afflicts his people for various reasons. Just as there are some whose crimes he does not avenge in this world, but whose punishment he delays to the future life, to try them the harder, so he often treats his faithful more severely, not because they have sinned more, but that he may put to death the sins of the flesh for the future. Sometimes, too, he is testing their obedience or training them to be patient. We see that holy Job – a righteous man, and one who fears God – is the most miserable person on earth, and yet not on account of his sins. For God’s purpose was quite different: it was that his godliness might be the more fully testified in adversity. So it is a wrong interpretation to attribute all afflictions, without distinction, to sins, as if the measure of punishments were equal, or as if God had no other purpose in punishing men than what every man deserves."

 

II. Jesus is the Light of the World

John 9:5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.

We live in a wicked world today. Each week I hear more and more that makes me glad that this world is not my home. Just like Abraham who lived as a pilgrim on earth passing through, our destination is heaven to be with our Lord Jesus Christ. And Jesus was always about doing the good works of God. Do people see God in our lives, or has Satan got us so busy with trivial matters that we don’t live for God. That should not happen. Just like Jesus, we should be busy doing the works of the Father.

Mat 5:14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.

Mat 5:15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.

Mat 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

 

John 9:6 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,

John 9:7 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.

We see Jesus doing a very unusual thing with the man. It says he spit on the ground and then made clay from the wet soil, and placed it on the blind man’s eyes. Would wet clay mixed with human saliva form a healing concoction today that could heal a child’s eyes who was blind from birth? No… it was not the method, it was the one who performed the miracle. The miracle of healing was due to the man exercising faith in Jesus Christ. It probably also speaks of how the simplest of things can be used to heal if God so chooses. It says that our old bodies come from the dust and then return to the earth from which we came.

Eccl 12:7 Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.

John 9:8 The neighbours therefore, and they which before had seen him that he was blind, said, Is not this he that sat and begged?

John 9:9 Some said, This is he: others said, He is like him: but he said, I am he.

John 9:10 Therefore said they unto him, How were thine eyes opened?

John 9:11 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.

We see that the people take notice that this man’s eyes have been opened. They say "Is this not he that sat and begged?" Blind people had no way of making a living in those days, and all they could do was sit and hope that someone would have compassion on him.

Mike Blankenship and his wife were very kind and bought a book and gave it to me on "Exploring the Gospels – John" by John Phillips. I was reading in this book last week and he made a few comments on these verses .

"In verse 8-12 it say the man was heard. His voice was raised in testimony and praise of the one who had given him sight. We note what the multitudes said, a mixed reaction to the miracle. The second fact about the man: the man who was blind, was blind no more; the man who had begged, begged no more. A genuine work of grace always turns persons into useful members of society, as well as opens their eyes to divine truth. Still puzzling over the transformation, some people said :He is like him." :Others said "This is he" They demanded to know "How were your eyes opened? " That is the wonderful thing about a miracle of grace. People want to know what happened. A transformed life is a powerful testimony. The man said "A man that is called Jesus made clay, and anointed mine eyes…" They said "Where is he?" "I know not." It is remarkable that this man is so ignorant of Jesus. He did not know who he was or where he was. It is instructive of the fact that we do not have to know much about Jesus in order to be saved. All this man knew was his name—Jesus, the one who saves. One does not have to be a theologian in order to experience salvation. One does not have to have thorough knowledge of who Jesus is . But we need to know his name and be willing to respond in faith."

I would like to add that no one will ever come to Jesus without first being drawn by the Holy Spirit.

If we are drawn by the Spirit, convicted of our sins, repent and accept Christ by faith, the Bible clearly teaches that we will be saved. In John Chapter 6, Jesus said that all that come to Him are given to Him by the Father.

John 6:37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.

John 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come.

 

John 9:12 Then said they unto him, Where is he? He said, I know not.

John 9:13 They brought to the Pharisees him that aforetime was blind.

John 9:14 And it was the sabbath day when Jesus made the clay, and opened his eyes.

John 9:15 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.

The Pharisees can tell that this man has been changed. And anyone who finds Jesus as Savior is changed. As the bible says, all things become new. We are born again, not of the flesh, but of the spirit. We are to walk in this newness of life. God would have all men to realize that Jesus is the Savior of the world.

John 6:28 Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?

John 6:29 Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.

It is time that we cast off the works of darkness and walk in the light.

Rom 13:12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.

1 John 1:5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.

1 John 1:6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:

1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

1 John 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

As John taught, we are to walk in the light. If we don’t, we either do not know Christ as Savior or we are so carnal that we are no longer in fellowship with God.

John 8:12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

John 9:16 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.

John 9:17 They say unto the blind man again, What sayest thou of him, that he hath opened thine eyes? He said, He is a prophet.

The Pharisees were so wrapped up in the ceremonial law and following the traditions of men that they couldn’t see the forest for the trees. You and I both know that to do one good work is better than to have 50 good intentions. Jesus was a doer, and he was not one worried about what day he did good on. Every day of our life is available to do good. They argued because many thought the observance to the Sabbath was far more important than making a blind man see. And while we may condemn them for their lack of understanding, we too have to be careful that we don’t get caught up in our time tables and self imposed limitations that we don’t take opportunities to do good. All we need do is look around us, and there are hurting people on every hand. But Satan wants us to stay inside our comfort zone and not get involved. And that is easier than being in the battle, but God help us to put Satan behind us and pick up our sword (the Word of God) and go out and fight. (Ephesians 6:17) The man who was blind saw Jesus more clearly than they. .. he says that he is a prophet. He was so much more than a prophet. He was Prophet, Priest, and King.

 

III. Parents of Blind Man are Questioned

John 9:18 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.

John 9:19 And they asked them, saying, Is this your son, who ye say was born blind? how then doth he now see?

John 9:20 His parents answered them and said, We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind:

John 9:21 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.

John 9:22 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.

John 9:23 Therefore said his parents, He is of age; ask him.

We see that the Pharisees are determined to get to the bottom of this. They don’t believe that Jesus really healed the man’s eyes, so they ask the parents. And they have realized that he can now see. Several people saw a difference in the man after his encounter with Jesus.

    1. The neighbors saw a difference in verses 8-12
    2. The Pharisees saw a difference in the man in verses 13-17
    3. The Parents saw a difference in their son in verse 18-23.
    4. And finally, the blind man sees a difference in himself in verses 24-34.
    5. But most importantly, Jesus saw a difference in the man. When the Master touches us, we are never the same after that.

 

John 9:24 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.

John 9:25 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.

John 9:26 Then said they to him again, What did he to thee? how opened he thine eyes?

John 9:27 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?

You would’ve thought that the people who knew God’s word the best would’ve wanted to break out in a hallelujah chorus when the blind man is made to see. But not this group. They are so self

Righteous and full of their legacy of Abraham and Moses. And they were right to be proud of their lineage, but they were so far from God when it came to understanding the truth. They do not want to acknowledge that Jesus could have done this. They tell the man to "Give God the Praise", because we know this man is a sinner. Funny thing was, Jesus would have told the man the same thing about giving the honor and glory to God. But verse 25 is my favorite verse of chapter 9. This is the blind man speaking now… "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." The man may not have been versed well in the scriptures, and probably had limited schooling if any at all. But he knew some things for certain. Before, he could not see. After Jesus came, he could see. In my life, that is exactly how I lived for 13 years. Blind to the truth, and couldn’t see a far off. But when Jesus saved my soul,

I have had 34 years of peace, joy, and happiness. And what is so wonderful, is that it is never going to end. When my eyes close in death, I’ll awake in the presence of God. Not because of what I have done.. I have failed God miserably…. But because of what Jesus did for me.

2 Cor 5:6 Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord:

2 Cor 5:7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)

2 Cor 5:8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

 

John 9:28 Then they reviled him, and said, Thou art his disciple; but we are Moses' disciples.

John 9:29 We know that God spake unto Moses: as for this fellow, we know not from whence he is.

John 9:30 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.

John 9:31 Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth.

John 9:32 Since the world began was it not heard that any man opened the eyes of one that was born blind.

John 9:33 If this man were not of God, he could do nothing.

John 9:34 They answered and said unto him, Thou wast altogether born in sins, and dost thou teach us? And they cast him out.

These fellows used some real logic here.. "Jesus doesn’t keep the Sabbath" so he is unworthy of us because he doesn’t do things our way. J. Vernon McGee said that these Pharisees would have been a match for Greek Philosophers. They used a syllogistic method of arguing. They have a major premise, a minor premise, and then a conclusion. If both premises are true, the conclusion is true. Here was what they believed:

Major Premise – all people from God keep the Sabbath

Minor Premise – Jesus does not keep the Sabbath

Conclusion -- Jesus is not from God.

This confused the people. What they should have used was:

Major Premise – Only people from God can open the eyes of the blind

Minor Premise – Jesus opened the blind man’s eyes

Conclusion – Jesus is from God.

 

IV. Christ's words to the man that had been blind

John 9:35 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?

John 9:36 He answered and said, Who is he, Lord, that I might believe on him?

John 9:37 And Jesus said unto him, Thou hast both seen him, and it is he that talketh with thee.

John 9:38 And he said, Lord, I believe. And he worshipped him.

John 9:39 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.

John 9:40 And some of the Pharisees which were with him heard these words, and said unto him, Are we blind also?

John 9:41 Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth. His time was not yet.

The once blind man now had a "new vision" and a "new testimony." Jesus saw the difference in the man and he asks him in verse 35 if he believed on the Son of God. The man was so spiritually confused that he asks who it was that was the son of God. And in verse 38 he accepts Christ as His savior. No greater decision is ever made in anyone’s life than this one thing. When it all comes down to the end, it won’t make much difference how much money we made, what kind of car we drove, what kind of house we lived in, but the major thing will be "What did you do with Jesus?" All manner of sins can be forgiven but one. And that is when we blaspheme the Holy Spirit and refuse to accept Christ as Savior when God draws us to Him.

1 John 5:16 If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it.

1 John 5:17 All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death.

1 John 5:18 We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.

1 John 5:19 And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.

Mat 12:31 Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.

Mat 12:32 And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.

 

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Prov 4:18 But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.

e-mail at: davidparham@internetbible.net

Website: www.internetbible.net

 

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