– It was commonly believed that physical disabilities were
penalties for sin (John 9:2).
– Jesus insisted that such was not the case – “Neither this man
nor his parents” (9:3).
• Jesus taught against this very emphatically in Luke 13:1-5.
• The book of Job is a divine treatise that suffering is not a direct penalty
for sin.
– Suffering can result as a consequence of personal sin or the sin
of ancestors, but that is the evil impact of sin not God’s
malicious form of punishment.
– Jesus said He “must” (Greek dei, necessary) work. The works
of God require work.
– Jesus said He must work while time and opportunity were still
available to Him.
– As Christians, we “must” work the works of God while time &
opportunity are ours!
– Even when it may not make sense, like washing clay off eyes
to gain sight (9:6-7).
– Even if it is not popular, like healing on the Sabbath (9:14, 16;
cf. 5:9-18; Matt. 12:8).
– Even if it gets you ostracized, like confessing Christ (John 9:2022, 30-34; cf. Lk. 6:22).
– Jesus tested the blind man’s faith – “Go, wash in the pool of
Siloam” (John 9:7).
– Just like God tested Abraham’s faith (Gen. 22:2) and Naaman’s
faith (2 Kings 5:10).
– Passing a test of faith is done by passing the test of obedience
(cf. James 2:19-26).
– All conditions must be met to pass, not just some.
• Condition #1: “Go” – “So he went…”
• Condition #2: “Wash” – “So he went and washed…”
• Similar to commands found in Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 22:16.
– “He spat on the ground… made clay…anointed the eyes…‘Go,
wash…” (John 9:6-7).
– How do clayed spittle and a pool give a man sight for the first
time in his life?
– Jesus wanted the blind man and all others to understand the
power of God.
– While the witnesses of the miracle tried to deny it (9:16, 18),
they could not!
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“They said to him, ‘How were your eyes opened?’” (9:10).
“The Pharisees also asked him again how…” (John 9:15).
“They said to the blind man again, ‘What do you say…?’” (17).
“They asked [his parents], ‘…How does he now see?’” (9:19).
“So they again called the man who was blind…” (John 9:24).
“Then they said to him again, ‘What did He do…How did
He…’” (John 9:26).
– “I told you already, and you did not listen. Why do you want
to hear it again?” (27).
– While this was stated by an uninspired man, it is confirmed
elsewhere in Scripture.
• Psa. 34:15-16; 66:18; Prov. 15:29; 28:9; Isa. 1:15; Matt. 7:21; Luke 6:46
– God is fully aware of all words (incl. prayers) spoken by sinners
(cf. Matt. 12:36-37).
– But, since He is not their “Father in heaven” (Mt. 6:9), He is
not obligated to answer.
– The idea of an alien sinner being saved by praying to God is
foreign to God’s Word!
– He brought light to the physically blind (never seen light).
– He, and no other, brings spiritual light to those whose eyes are
blinded by sin.
– The moral and spiritual light, derived only through Christ, is
available to the world.
• They can accept the light (and see) or reject the light (and remain in
darkness).
– To His disciples “You are the light of the world” (Matt. 5:14).
• Responsibility to “open the eyes” of the spiritually blind (Ac. 26:18).
• Responsibility to “turn them from darkness to light” (Acts 26:18).
– Jesus gave the blind man two conditions in order to see: Go
and wash (John 9:7)!
• In order to be granted sight, all of the conditions had to be met.
• The blind man “went and washed” (met all conditions).
• Therefore, he “came back seeing” (John 9:7).
– Jesus gives the spiritually blind conditions to meet to see.
• In order to be granted sight, all of the conditions must be met (cf. 12:35;
Ep. 5:8).
• When the conditions are met thru obedience, they come back seeing
(Eph. 1:18).
– They “did not believe…that he had been blind…” (John 9:18).
– They were blind & deaf, not wanting to see/hear the truth (27).
– The Pharisees did all they could to ignore, reject and discredit
the light of the world.
• “For judgment I have come…those who see may be made blind” (9:39).
• “Then some of the Pharisees…said to Him, ‘Are we blind also?’” (9:40).
• “Jesus said to them, ‘…you say, “We see.” Therefore your sin remains’”
(9:41).
– They claimed they could see without Jesus, the light of the
world. They were wrong!
• They willfully continued to walk in the darkness of their sin (cf. 3:19-21).
– The Jews rejected the light, therefore, they did not listen either
(9:27; cf. Ac. 28:27).
– When one opens his eyes to the truth, his ears are more
receptive to listening.
• “You have both seen Him and [heard Him]” (John 9:37; cf. 4:26).
– “One thing I know: that though I was blind, now I see” (9:25).
– “He is a prophet” (9:17).
– “If this Man were not from God, He could do nothing” (9:33).
– “Lord, I believe!” (John 9:38).
– “You have both seen Him and [heard Him]” (John 9:37).