The Blind See

Background Scripture: John 9:1-41
Lesson Scripture: John 9:1-11

Introduction

When the presence of the Holy Spirit enlightens us, we are able to see things from a new perspective. Jesus offers to heal those who are spiritually blind or have lost their vision by worldliness, selfish living, and sin. Every born-again person should again remember how their visit to the cross of forgiveness opened their eyes so they could see. The song “Amazing Grace” says, “I once was lost, but now I’m found, Was blind, but now I see.” 1 Everyone who has been forgiven by Jesus will be able to see and will live by that vision. A thankful disposition for the forgiveness Jesus made available to them is a hallmark of spiritual vision.

Every born-again person should again remember how their visit to the cross of forgiveness opened their eyes so they could see. A thankful disposition for the forgiveness Jesus made available to them is a hallmark of spiritual vision.

Jesus offers to heal those who are spiritually blind or have lost their vision by worldliness, selfish living, and sin.

Key Verse

The Lord openeth the eyes of the blind: the Lord raiseth them that are bowed down: the Lord loveth the righteous (Ps. 146:8).

Lesson Scripture

Studying the Lesson

The poor beggar beside the road had been born blind. He had never seen the sunshine. He had never seen the food he ate or beheld the beauty of the earth he lived on. He had never seen what his friends and neighbors looked like; he had merely existed on the roadside and begged for sustenance every day since he had come of age.

The disciples wondered why this man had to suffer. They concluded his suffering had to do with some sin either he or his ancestors had committed. Jesus told them that neither this man nor his parents had sinned; he was there so the power and glory of God could be displayed. This man had likely lived in squalor and poverty all of his life. The neighbors and local people had given what they could to him and helped take care of this man, but the day Jesus stopped and restored his vision, all of that changed. From that point, he was able to work for himself and help others. No longer would he have to be supported by his neighbors. Jesus’s miracle healing not only helped the blind man, but it also blessed the whole community.

Jesus healed people who were in need because He was sent to earth to perform God’s work of redemption and to show that He was the Light of the world. For as long as He could, the Light of the world would let the light shine for everyone to see. He performed these good works and miracle healings so people would be drawn to the Light. Jesus knew God is the only true Light, and He only had a limited amount of time to let the Light shine. The darkness of the cross was coming, and then his work would be done, so He went about doing good whenever the opportunity arose.

The healing of this blind man was on the Sabbath. This threw the legalistic, tradition-following, religious leaders into complete hysteria. How could a Man who claims to be the Son of God do something so far out of line with what the Scriptures taught? He was teaching his disciples that when the opportunity to do a good work is upon them, they should do it as soon as possible and not procrastinate just because the timing is not exactly right (Eccles. 11:4). This principle still holds true today. Many opportunities and blessings have been missed because one fears to offend someone. A disciple of Christ will not intentionally offend or hurt another person but will not miss the opportunity to help someone in need. Christ’s light will shine through acts of care and will help everyone see love a little clearer, even if not everyone approves.

Jesus sent the blind man to the pool of Siloam to wash the clay from his eyes. After he had washed his eyes, wonder of wonders: he could see! His excitement must have been unbounded. This man’s experience is a representation of everyone who goes to Jesus burdened, weak, sad, and lost. We come away from Jesus washed clean and seeing, free and strong, happy and saved. The experience of salvation is contagious, and people are drawn to the person that Jesus’s light shines from. The neighbors and acquaintances were amazed and wondered that this man, who had been blind and begging from birth, could see and walk around without help. The same is true today when one is healed and forgiven by Jesus. Friends and believers are excited and drawn to a new child of God.

Practical Truths for Today

The religious leaders of the time when this lesson text took place could not accept that Jesus had actually healed the blind beggar. It simply did not fit with how they believed and how they had taught the people. The blind man who could now see was bought to them so they could hear directly from him how it had happened. This miracle could not be explained by them, so they then proceeded to try and discredit the man and say that he wasn’t actually blind. They were too proud of their position to admit that they did not understand how Jesus had performed this miracle. Instead of being excited and happy for the healed man, they were apprehensive and defensive, claiming his healing had to be faked. They tried to get the beggar’s parents to admit that he was a fake.

The parents admitted that he was their son and that he had been blind since his birth. They were afraid to admit that Jesus was the reason for the miracle. Excommunication from the synagogue had been threatened to those who believed in Jesus, so they decided to put responsibility on their son and let him explain what had happened. He told the Pharisees again it was Jesus who had healed him, and he wasn’t ashamed or embarrassed about it. He became a believer and a follower of Jesus from then on.

Some Christians may unwittingly begin to place confidence in the traditions that they have been taught to believe in, follow, and teach. Satan invites us to trust in a symbol of faith instead of having faith in God. This is a temptation and snare peculiar to a believer and does not readily apply to a worldly person. When God wants to work with us differently than we have previously experienced, we then are left with a choice. Is it from Him or from another source? We must know whether the way we’ve always done is the right way, or if God is endeavoring to correct us by leading us along a different path. An experience with God that we are unaccustomed to and is singularly new will never draw us away from God or his people but will bring us closer. The Holy Spirit will guide us even if it is different and unknown.

It takes a humble heart to be able to reexamine something we have done in a certain way and considered to be right. This same humility will move us to submit these questions to the brotherhood of believers. Jesus leads us by the Holy Spirit, and He is a still, small voice. A person who is blind will not hear the voice of the Holy Spirit or the voice of the church.

When a religious person has been overtly given to living by standard and form, it is very hard to allow a new idea to have any influence on the way of thinking. The Holy Spirit has a hard time getting a message through to the self-right because it is hard to admit being wrong. Pride keeps many people from listening to the Holy Spirit. Formalism and religious pride are some of the greatest weapons Satan can use to hurt well-meaning people. Because a person feels safe and right when following a religious code, all Christians are susceptible to having some blindness, but when our eyes are opened and we see Jesus as the only way to be saved, we can be restored to happiness and thankfulness. Man’s righteousness is nothing unless it is God’s righteousness.

Illustration

A young man wanted to be a child of God but felt the weight of his sins bearing him down. He prayed continually for a period of time that the weight of sin would be relieved. He made many confessions and tried to live as right as he possibly could. If he did something wrong, he made it right. He went to church every time there was church. He gave money to the collection at church. If there was a chance to help someone in any way, he did that. He helped people and cared for others, but he was always under the bondage of his obligations. If he failed to do something just right, he felt the burden of hell pushing him down farther than before.

One day when he was praying, he gave all his questions to the Lord just like he had many other times. That night he felt to visit with a man whom he thought was following Jesus. He asked that man about everything he could think of that might pertain to his own salvation. In another day or so, he noticed that he was feeling peace in his heart, and he realized he had actually gone to the cross and left his burden there. Now that the Lord was carrying it and he wasn’t, his eyes were opened, and he could see how Jesus had died on the cross so that he could be forgiven. He discovered there was grace to cover all of his shortcomings; he didn’t feel guilty every time he failed to do or say something just right. He realized that now he could really see how Jesus dying on the cross had actually made it possible for him to be saved. He was able to live the more abundant life that Jesus promised (John 10:10). The fact his salvation was a gift from God and there was nothing that he had done that made him worthy of the gift made it the most precious thing in his life; he wouldn’t trade it for anything. He had found the pearl of great price. It didn’t change his desire for living right; it made living right a pleasure. Jesus was carrying the burden for him, and he was enjoying his Christian life, living it without fear and bondage. His eyes were open, and he was at last seeing the way Jesus intended for his followers to live.

Questions

1. Relate an experience that made you able to see something that you hadn’t been able to see before.
2. Will an experience with God always be recognized by fellow believers? What should you do if someone does not believe you?
3. Can you think of a miracle performed in your lifetime?
4. First John 4:1 says to try the spirits. If someone says that the Lord healed them, is it okay to question it?
5. 1 John Newton (1725-1807), “Amazing Grace,” Christian Hymnal

Source: COGICM Daily Bible Readings (Daily Bible Readings, PO Box 124, Glenn, CA 95943).