John 9:1-12  Jesus Heals a Man Born Blind

Prayer and Praise

Jesus said, “Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?” Matthew 26:40, so we start our journey of giving God time to work in us, by praying along with this hymn…“And Can It Be That I Should Gain” – 200 Voice Mass Choir – Classic Hymns ” Ancient of Days” – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mISbGETVr84

John 9:1-12  Jesus Heals a Man Born Blind

1 As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. 2 His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”

v.1-2. Jesus had left the temple area and on the way, the disciples saw a blind man and asked Jesus if his blindness was God’s punishment on him for his or his parent’s sin. 

3 “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him. 4 As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. 5 While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”

3. So Jesus answered their question by saying it was neither! It was to show God at work…

4. It shows what the work of God is. We must do the work of God while we can – before the night comes when God’s work stops.

5. Then Jesus added, “While I AM in the world, I AM the light of the world”.

6 After saying this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man’s eyes. 7 “Go,” he told him, “wash in the Pool of Siloam” (this word means “Sent”). So the man went and washed, and came home seeing.8 His neighbors and those who had formerly seen him begging asked, “Isn’t this the same man who used to sit and beg?” 9 Some claimed that he was. Others said, “No, he only looks like him.” But he himself insisted, “I am the man.”

6-8 John wants us to know that Jesus healed a man that was actually BORN blind. It was common knowledge. The reason why John wanted us to know that he was blind from birth, is because there was no doubt. Jesus stooped down and mixed saliva with soil to make mud – which is what God’s creatures were made from. Jesus used it to give the man eyes. 9. Even then, religious leaders refused to believe and the man confirmed he was the blind man.

10 “How then were your eyes opened?” they asked.

10.’ They meant, ‘just exactly how did that happen?’

11 He replied, “The man they call Jesus made some mud and put it on my eyes. He told me to go to Siloam and wash. So I went and washed, and then I could see.”

12 “Where is this man?” they asked him. 

“I don’t know,” he said.

—-Summary

John chose miracles that were God-like in their outcome. This man had been blind from birth. Everyone knew who he was. When he was healed, there was no doubt about it. Result? Religious leaders were jealous.

• Today’s Verse… Who is Jesus? John 9:5

Jesus said, “I AM the light of the world”.

• Today’s Challenge

Some willfully refused to believe. Many still do. The reaction of the religious leaders was to ignore the truth and silence, Jesus, anyway! The truth got in the way of their agenda. Jesus’ parable of the sower teaches that it is all about the heart. Our response to Him shows the state of our hearts.

In the 1800s, a Welsh primary schoolgirl walked home in winter from Sunday school but died on the way home. She was found holding her fourth finger. On investigation, the police learned that the Sunday school teacher had been teaching Psalm 23. The children were taught to use one hand to hold the 4th finger, on the other hand, to remember “The Lord is MY shepherd.” When she was found, she was still holding her fourth finger, to show ‘The Lord is “MY” Shepherd’. It’s all about the heart. That little girl teaches us what Jesus is looking for. What do you think?

Prayer and Worship

“… He went up on a mountainside by himself to pray.” Matthew 14:23. 

Jesus taught His disciples what we call ‘The Lord’s Prayer’; (Luke 11).

Listen here to Albert Malotte’s ‘The Lord’s Prayer’. 

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name, 

Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. 

Give us this day our daily bread. 

And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. 

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. 

For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever;- Amen.

Prayer suggestions;-

1. The world. (ie ‘For those in authority.’)
2. The ‘suffering church.’ https://barnabasfund.org/nz/pray/daily-prayer/#previous-dates
3. Your own situation. (Suggest ‘needs’ rather than ‘wants’.)