Explore the Bible Lesson Preview November 10, 2013 Doubting Jesus Power? Background: John 9:1-41 Lesson: John 9:8-11, 13-17, 35-41 Motivation: Jesus profound statement I am the light of the world (8:12) is dramatically illustrated by His giving light to blind eyes. Perhaps we see no greater contrast in scripture than between 8:59 (spiritual blindness) and 9:1 (physical blindness). Examination: I. Feeling Uncertain (1-12) A. The Man s Condition a man blind from birth (1) Physical blindness is sometimes a symbol of spiritual blindness. (2 Cor. 4:4) 1. Permanently blind A person born blind perceives his/her environment radically different from one who lost sight. The curse of sin afflicts people from birth. 2. Pathetically blind In Jesus day a man born blind was reduced to begging. He had difficulty finding his way, was unaware of his true condition and perhaps most tragically, had no idea of what he was missing. B. The Messiah s Compassion Jesus did not heal all sick people; (2 Tim. 4:20) that was not His purpose. His compassion was in stark contrast to the insensitive question of His followers. Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind? (2) HCSB, p. 1824: 1 / 6
9:2 The disciples question reflected the assumption, customary in ancient Judaism, that suffering could be traced to specific sins (cp. Jb. 4:7). The underlying concern of this assumption is to clear God of wrongdoing against innocent people (Ex. 20:5; Nm 14:18; Dt. 5:9). The NT makes it clear that suffering is not always a direct result of a person s sin (Lk 13:2-3; 2 Cor 12:7; Gal 4:13). We should not speculate about the cause of a person s suffering but realize that even evil can contribute to the greater glory of God (esp. the crucifixion; cp. Jn 12:28, 37-41; 17:1, 5). Having cleared up His disciples theology, He proceeded to clear up the blind man s vision. (Rom. 8:28; 1 Pet. 2:21) God was glorified by demonstrating Jesus as the Light of the World. While it is day (4) reminds us of our limited time to complete Jesus purpose. C. The Mistaken Connection (8-12) Therefore they asked him, Then how were your eyes opened? (12) The enormity of the miracle is seen in the people s denial of the formerly blind man s identity. (34) That sight was restored to one born blind was simply unbelievable. We see this miracle reported today every time a spiritually blind person receives their sight by receiving Christ as Savior (2 Cor. 5:17). II. Resisting the Truth (13-34) (13) A. The Trial They brought the man who used to be blind to the Pharisees. 1. Debate the Pharisees asked him again how he received his sight (15) In this trial, the Pharisees were trying to turn the defendant into an expert witness. Questions such as how (15), wha t (17), What did He do to you? How did He open your eyes? (26), demanded of the man answers he did not possess. The Pharisees demanded expert testimony. Believers are not expected to have all the answers to everyone s questions. We should not let expected tests keep us from sharing what we know. 2. Division Therefore some of the Pharisees said, This man is not from God, for He doesn t keep the Sabbath! But others were saying, How can a sinful man perform such 2 / 6
signs? And there was a division among them. (16) When faced with the miracle, the Pharisees become divided in their opinions of Jesus (perhaps Nicodemus influence was being felt!) Notice the blind man s progressive respect for Jesus: in verse 11 He is simply the man, now in verse 17 He is a prophet. HCSB, p. 1825: 9:16 The division among the Pharisees follows the differing ways of reasoning observed by the schools of Shammai and Hillel. The former argued from foundational principles ( anyone who breaks the law is a sinner ), the latter from the established facts of a case ( Jesus has performed a good work ). B. The Test 1. Of the Parents The Jews did not believe this about him, that he was blind and received sight until they summoned the parents of the one who had received his sight (18) John provides some internal documentation to the authenticity of the miracle. All doubt as to the formerly blind man s identity (9) was cast aside by the testimony of his parents (20). Notice the facts: the Parent s confirm that 1) the man is their son, 2) he was, in fact, born blind, and 3) he obviously now sees. Because, They were afraid of the Jews (22) they would not take a public stand concerning Jesus miracle. 2. Of the Formerly Blind Man So a second time they summoned the man who had been blind (24) Where simply questioning would not work (13), the Pharisees tried intimidation: We know that this man is a sinner! (24) C. The Testimony One thing I do know; I was blind, now I can see (25) Every Believer should have this simple testimony! The man s I know is in contrast to the Pharisee s we know. (24) (Hymn: Amazing Grace) D. The Trust If this man were not from God He wouldn t be able to do anything (33 3 / 6
) Unlike his parents, the man born blind throws caution to the wind and takes an unequivocal public stand for Jesus. Now Jesus is not just a man, or even simply a prophet, but is from God (33). Notice his challenges to the Pharisees: 1. He accuses the Pharisees of spiritual deafness didn t listen (27). 2. He accuses them of false interest you don t want to become His disciples too, do you? (27). 3. He accuses them of ignorance you don t know. (30) (2 Cor. 2:14). 4. He accuses them of spiritual blindness and lack of logic. (32-33). E. The Travesty Then they threw him out (34) In the supreme irony and tragedy of the story, the spiritually blind are casting out a man who has been known all his life for physical blindness. By casting him out of their presence, they put him in the very presence of Jesus. (John 6:37; 2 Tim. 2:12-13) III. Refusing to See (35-41) A. Jesus Seeks He found him (35) Jesus initiated the plan of salvation by seeking out the lost. (Luke 19:10; Heb. 12:1-2) B. The Man Sees I believe Lord! (38) Since the man had to wash his eyes before seeing (7), he had never seen Jesus. Having had his physical sight restored, he now hungered for spiritual eyes (36). 4 / 6
C. God Saves he worshipped Him (38b) Notice that his change in attitude led to a resulting change in action. His spiritual sight was more important than all he had left behind: his profession as a beggar, his friends, his family, his spiritual leaders and his place in the synagogue. D. Pharisees Rebuked (39-41) In 9:1 Jesus saw a terrible plight: a man born blind. At the conclusion of the chapter, Jesus sees a much worse plight spiritually blind Pharisees. In Matthew He called them blind guides (23:16). Application: 1. Sin blinds. (2 Cor. 4:4) 2. Every Believer has a testimony; God expects us to share it. (Rev. 12:11) 3. Faith in Christ gives spiritual sight. (2 Cor. 4:6, 18) Leader Pack Item 18: Worksheet: Doubting Jesus Power Biblical Illustrator: (no Illustrator article) **You may access David s Lesson Preview in MP3 format at: www.hfbcbiblestudy.org Dates: 11/5 FBA Fall Athletic Banquet; 11/10 MIYC Orientation; 11/11 FBA Veteran s Chapel; 11/16 Men: Serve; 11/16 Summit Hoedown; 5 / 6
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