“The Blindness is an opportunity”
“God will use the times of trial in our lives for the victory he gives freely.”
Sunday Morning Sermon
John 9:1-34
11.11.07
Intro: (Advance)
For the most part we don’t know what suffering is. The other day I couldn’t find the remote – I looked everywhere! I was in the car with Rob and he stops at a McDonald’s for a drink – the lady hands him a cup ½ full of drink with no ice. I’ve spent hours and hours in line at Wal-Mart – time I can never get back, but it’s not suffering. Funny story – I was in line the other day and I knew it was going to take awhile so I called my dad. I’m on the cell phone and this man in line with me, just keeps talking to me – I let my dad go, because that’s easier to do. This man is a truck driver and had opinions about everything. We made small talk, and he asked me what I did for a living – I said, I’m a preacher – he looks at me and walks away. Understand I’m not dressed like I am this morning – I had sweats and a t-shirt on. He takes one look at me and walks off – I was thinking, “If that would have shut him up, I would have volunteered the information a long time ago.” Church that’s still not suffering! I know we probably all have stories of cold meals, times when we’ve been over charged or had bad customer service. I don’t mean to make light of loss or real suffering, because I know that’s very real too. This morning if you are going through a situation or a problem and there seems no way out – I encourage you to listen to what God has to say this morning. More than ½ filled cups at McDonalds or losing the remote – there is real suffering.
Discussion:
This morning we are going to look at a story in John’s gospel. I believe this man was suffering. More than just suffering – he was surrounded by a huge wall, put into every brick of this huge wall was a lack of hope. Take away hope – and you will crush a person’s spirit. I believe this man was inflicted with something – that no one had a cure for – and people just got used to seeing him. He was common in their lives.
Turn with me to John 9:1-41 (read) (Advance)
I was told one time that the gospel of John is written in a circular fashion. On the outside of this circle you have the story, but when you get to the heart of the story – the inside of the circle – you have the meaning. It’s the meaning that will help us understand the story better.
I see 7 “scenes” – John tells this story like he’s holding a video camera, and they are shooting film. We’ll unpack the story – and get to the meaning.
(Advance) Jesus told Andrew and his companion 1:39 “Come and see” – (Advance) In 1:46 he says the same thing to Philip and Nathanael – If you remember the response of the Samaritan woman – she told her neighbors the same thing (4:29). There is a theme that makes its way through the John’s gospel – involving both sight and belief. Our text this morning really continues that theme. (Advance)
I. Scene # 1 – Jesus heals the man born blind (1-7)
The disciples ask Jesus – whose sin caused this man to be born blind? There was an understanding that God caused suffering because of sin. If the young man was born out of wed-lock – it’s his parents’ sin. If he did something – it was his sin. Jesus doesn’t answer this – but understand something.
a. Sin
i. Always breaks down – it always destroys and the result is death
Physical death, spiritual death – the death of a relationship – sin brings death. We don’t get too far from the disciples thinking here – AIDS was thought of as God’s punishment for sexual sin. Honestly, it’s just what happens when people sin – regardless of how or why. That disease affects many sexually innocent people – but sin always breaks down, it always destroys and it will bring death.
b. The disciples were thinking
i. The parents sinned – and it was handed down – they might have been thinking about David and Bathsheba (Advance)
2 Samuel 12:13-14 (NIV) 13 Then David said to Nathan, "I have sinned against the LORD." Nathan replied, "The LORD has taken away your sin. You are not going to die. 14 But because by doing this you have made the enemies of the LORD show utter contempt, the son born to you will die."
c. The conclusion of their thinking
i. A lack of mercy and compassion for the suffering
1. It breeds a lack of hope for the one who is suffering
If you look at someone with a horrible disease and believe that it’s because of their sin and their lifestyle – you will show a lack of mercy and compassion – you will scream out – “you got what you deserved.” Listen – the response of Jesus, and the response of people who follow Jesus – should be the same – compassion, healing if possible and mercy. Remember – it is God’s kindness that leads to repentance. Jesus rejects this idea that the man was born blind because of sin – he doesn’t accept the theology of sin and suffering.
If you read into this far enough you can kinda see the older brother back on the family farm – “If younger brother is starving to death – good for him, he’s getting what he deserves.” – The response of the father is completely the opposite – compassion, love and forgiveness. If your goal in life is to give justice to everyone who deserves it – you will die trying. Not everyone who deserves justice will receive it – but everyone can receive mercy and grace and forgiveness.
d. Jesus responds to the question
No one sinned – it was neither him nor his parents that caused this. (vs. 3b) “…But this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life.” Is Jesus saying – that God caused his blindness so that Jesus could have someone to heal and they could have a good teaching moment? NO. Jesus is saying – here is a man who is suffering – and the work of God will be displayed in his life.
A better literal translation of verse 3 would be (Advance) “Jesus answered, “Neither this man sinned nor his parents, but in order that the works of God might be revealed in him.” (Advance) The blindness will be used to reveal the works of God.
e. Jesus explains the works of God
i. We work – as long as it is day – Night is coming when no one can work – This is reference to his life and death – daylight = his life
Night = death. In this case the work of him who sent me is to heal a blind man, hard evidence that Jesus is the light of the world. (Advance)
(vs. 5) While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.
f. Jesus heals the man – doing the work of God and bringing him glory
i. He spits on the ground
ii. He makes a mud pie with his spit
iii. He puts it on the man’s eyes
Here’s the crazy thing – this man has Jesus mud on his face – but that mud doesn’t heal him. He’s not healed yet. I’m thinking – “I’ve got dirt and spit on my face, there better be a healing taking place.” Jesus sends him to the pool of Siloam – the man goes, he washes and he’s healed – he goes home seeing. You know everyone is going to be happy about this – everyone is going to share in and celebrate his victory – well, maybe not – let’s keep going.
Here’s the second scene (Advance)
II. Scene # 2 First Reaction: The neighbors (8-12)
a. Jesus leaves – the man is gone from the pool – he went home (probably not his “home” – but the place where he knew in the temple and used for begging.)
So there he is and they can see – that he can see! Everyone acknowledges the miracle and they celebrate with him – no – Now they are trying to identify him – some knew him well enough to know who he was others were not so sure.
b. They ask him and he insists that he is the same man.
He tells them the story – The man they call Jesus made some mud and put it on my eyes. He told me to go Siloam and wash. So I went and washed, and then I could see. But I don’t know where he is now.
Either this was trickery or something marvelous. The man knows the difference – it was something marvelous. It couldn’t be copied by false spiritual powers. Later in John’s gospel Jesus is teaching and it says that the Jews were divided. Some said he was demon possessed and raving mad – but others offered this explanation. (Advance)
John 10:21 (NIV) – But others said, "These are not the sayings of a man possessed by a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?"
Church, they point back to this miracle of the blind man – as proof that Jesus is from God.
c. The neighbors weren’t completely satisfied
They know the blind man – not the one who can see. He’s thrilled that he can see.
(Advance)
III. Scene # 3 Second Reaction – the Pharisees (15-17)
They will question the man some more – and still not completely understand what has happened. They’ve had their sight this entire time – they should be seeing. The blind man – is the one who sees. I love this – “I washed and now I see”
a. Jesus can’t be from God – He doesn’t keep the Sabbath
i. They had no problem with the healing – I’ve heard that preached – the result of incomplete study.
ii. Jesus was mixing saliva and dirt – a process called kneading
1. He also commanded that the man walk to the pool = work
2. Command to wash off the mud = more work
God gave Moses the Ten Commandments – the Jews created a system called the law that would help them keep the commandments. They wanted to be super righteous and not fail at keeping the Ten Commandments – so they kept all those rules – which would allow them to keep the commands. I know people who do the same thing – can’t do this, can’t do that – their Christian faith is a list of can nots and will nots and thou shalt not. The Ten Commandments were meant to bring freedom and blessing, not the burden they made it into. Jesus isn’t breaking the Sabbath commandment – he’s actually keeping it because Love should be the rule not the exception. (Advance)
Galatians 5:14 (NIV) The entire law is summed up in a single command: "Love your neighbor as yourself." James says that if you love your neighbor as yourself – you are doing right.
b. They question and ponder – only someone from God can do stuff like that.
c. The man who was healed – Called Jesus a prophet (he calls him Lord, a little later)
i. They still don’t believe!
d. They have
i. The man who was born blind
ii. The neighbors
iii. Testimony of who healed him and how it was done.
They call in his parents – bringing us to scene:
(Advance)
IV. Scene # 4 – Third Reaction: The parents (18-23)
a. They ask the parents –
i. Is this your son – Is this the one you say was born blind – Explain how he can see!
The parents – who should be sharing in their son’s victory – They should have this burden lifted off them – that they caused this problem or that somehow he did. They should be celebrating – they find themselves in the middle between their beliefs and their son. They don’t completely back up their son. They were scared!
b. The parents response
i. Ask him – he’s of age – he can speak for himself – this is what John says about them: (Advance)
John 9:22-23 (NIV) – His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jews, for already the Jews had decided that anyone who acknowledged that Jesus was the Christ would be put out of the synagogue. 23That was why his parents said, "He is of age; ask him."
It boils down to; mom and dad are scared of the Pharisees. They ignore their son’s healing – they continue to carry around all the guilt and shame I’m sure they felt. They were scared.
Honestly, it sounds too familiar when Christians don’t stand up for what’s right – not talking about opinions or preferences – but God’s word. It sounds too familiar when you and I stay with what we’ve always done, instead of showing the new thing he has done in our lives. I’m not talking about forcing your beliefs down someone’s neck. What I am suggesting is we have to keep our eyes open, for the opportunities that God gives us to share his love and the difference he has made in our lives. For them – it came in the form of letting the son speak one more time – he’s of age – ask him cause we don’t want to get kicked out – for them the miracle was a burden, because they chose to stay blind themselves. (Advance)
V. Scene # 5 – Second Interview of the healed man by the Pharisees (24-34)
a. They call him back!
i. Their response – “Give God the glory” – they weren’t breaking out in song!
This is an urge from them for the man to tell them the truth. There is an example from the Jewish Mishna of a condemned Jew urged to confess and give glory to the Lord on the way to the place of execution. God is glorified by a full confession.
b. They believe he is a sinner! – speaking of Jesus
Listen to what the man says about Jesus (Advance)
(vs. 25) – He replied, “Whether he is a sinner or not, I don’t know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!”
Isn’t that just neat? Someone who couldn’t see – from birth – given the greatest gift they could ask for – perfect sight – he didn’t need glasses, contacts, laysic. Jesus gave him perfect 20/20 vision – because when God does something – he does it all the way.
c. They ask him the same questions
i. What did he do to you?
ii. How did he open your eyes?
They are asking the blind guy to describe what Jesus did – while the man was still blind. They don’t want the truth. They don’t want the glory of God to be revealed, they don’t want the light of the world to shine --
d. He responds –
i. I’ve already answered the questions – it’s foolishness to tell you again! This is very sarcastic – and it pushes their buttons. They get real – real quick. They have been insulted and they drop all false appearances of impartiality.
e. They respond (Advance)
John 9:28 (NIV) – Then they hurled insults at him and said, "You are this fellow’s disciple! We are disciples of Moses!
i. They compare Jesus and Moses – God spoke to Moses, but we’re not sure about Jesus.
f. Notice his response (cause it’s good) – I think he’s wanting them to understand what he’s seeing (Advance)
John 9:30-33 (NIV) – The man answered; "Now that is remarkable! You don’t know where he comes from, yet he opened my eyes. 31We know that God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the godly man who does his will. 32Nobody has ever heard of opening the eyes of a man born blind. 33If this man were not from God, he could do nothing."
He’s giving them the facts – the prayers of a righteous man are powerful and effective – Jesus must be righteous – if he were not from God, he could do nothing. Do you see his progression? He’s gone from – “he’s just a prophet” to “Do you want to be his disciples too?” He’ll go a step further in a minute.
g. They conclude – he’s steeped in sin at birth – and they throw him out.
For a good Jewish man – he was better off blind. You could say – he’d been better off if he never had Jesus mud on his face, and never washed. They made the decision for him – go after Jesus – we don’t want you here. He could have been depressed; he could have felt sorry for himself. It doesn’t really say what his reaction is, but I don’t think it was depression and I doubt he felt sorry for himself. Honestly, he was probably relieved. (Advance)
VI. Scene # 6 – Jesus finds the outcast, who makes his final response to Jesus
It doesn’t say when this took place – how long after the confrontation with the Pharisees it was before Jesus caught up with him. Jesus had gotten word that they threw the young man out of the temple.
a. Jesus finds him
i. Asks him a question – “Do you believe in the Son of Man?”
The young man wants to know who that is – wants to be taught – wants to believe.
b. Jesus says (basically) – you are looking at him
The man’s response – Lord, I believe, and then it says that the man worshipped Jesus.
Listen church, when you and I come face to face with God – there is no other response than worship, and belief. When we see his mercy active in our lives – Paul says the reasonable response is to offer yourself as a living sacrifice – holy and pleasing to God. All of who you are, all of your past, your present, the good the bad and the ugly – and it’s just you and God, moving forward working together. That’s what this man was experiencing –
Church, that’s what we should experience as well. The removal of self, and all the junk in our lives, nothing between you and God, that is the path to peace in your life. He knows everything anyway.
This man removed everything and worshipped the one who gave him sight. The miracle was no longer a burden – it was the source of hope and because it pointed to God – it was the source of eternal life, and freedom in this life.
c. Jesus explains the reason he has come
i. This is one of couple of reasons Jesus gives for his coming (Advance)
Luke 19:10 (NIV) – For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost."
Here (vs. 39) he says – that he’s come for judgment. Those seem to be on the opposite ends. It’s a whole lot easier to read Luke 19 – than to deal with the judgment in John 9. Listen closely – If God gave perfectness in the person of Jesus. Gave us an example – gave us the ability to approach his throne with confidence. Gave us the freedom from sin – and moved us out of the sight of God’s wrath – if we understand all that he’s done (and those people who rejected Jesus could see it first hand) if we understand all that he’s done for us – only two options – salvation or judgment. All of us will be judged – but your judgment will come through the blood of Christ – which equals salvation and eternal life. The blind will see – and those who think they see will be blinded.
Jesus adds one more thing:
(Advance)
VII. Scene # 7 – Jesus’ concluding word to the man, to the Pharisees, and to us (40-41) (Advance)
John 9:40 (NIV) Some Pharisees who were with him heard him say this and asked, "What? Are we blind too?"
Jesus went from preaching to meddling – because it hit them right in the gut. As much as we need to come face to face with our God, we don’t like to come face to face with our sin. We don’t like the video camera following us around all week, capturing our language, hearing the jokes we laugh at, viewing the same internet we see, watching the way we treat our kids, or our spouse, calculating the way we spend our money. Bring our integrity or the lack of it, in the open. Am I talking to anyone here?
a. Jesus stepped on their toes – and they didn’t like it!
They asked Jesus – were you including us? Knowing the answer – they were offended. Jesus gives them a response – and it’s for us too – Listen to what he says
(Advance)
41Jesus said, "If you were blind, you would not be guilty of sin; but now that you claim you can see, your guilt remains.
Their guilt remains, because of what they aren’t seeing – they aren’t seeing the Son of Man – They’ve come into the presence of Jesus – Just like the man born blind – did you notice – they didn’t worship? They aren’t calling him Lord – they are guilty, standing in front of the one who can take their guilt and make them see – but they refuse.
Conclusion:
If you could put one word on this story – one word that would describe the Pharisees, one word that would describe the parents, and possibly the neighbors – PRIDE. They were filled with it. Pride makes you do things you wouldn’t normally do – it gets in the way of who we are as Christians, as neighbors and as parents. It causes division in the church, and creates a separation from God’s will in your life. The blind man – had no reason for pride – he was blind, been that way since birth, dependent on others for what he had, dependent on those around him for his well being. Jesus heals him and gives him physical sight – he was open to spiritual sight as well. Maybe that’s the point – one man’s journey to seeing clearly. It took him a road of suffering, it took him down the road of loss, and even being an outcast – but when he was there, he was completely there. Maybe you are on that same road this morning, the road of loss the road of suffering. Could it be that Jesus doesn’t want to just get you through, he wants to give you victory, and hope and assurance and peace. Regardless of where you are on the road of life – Jesus brings a clear vision. The blindness we have in life is an opportunity for us to come face to face with our savior. A good question this morning is can you say – I was blind and now I see? I was lost and now I’m found.
