Seven Miracles in the Gospel of John (Part 6)

John 9:1-7

Many teach this and focus on the MAN BORN BLIND, and that is completely understandable.  However, the DIFFERENCE MAKER here is the Lord Jesus Christ, so we will FOCUS on what HE DID in the passage rather than only the blind man.  Obviously, the BLIND MAN’s condition allows the Lord to step in and do His work.

 

I. SEEING (v. 1-2)

Verse 1 – “And as Jesus passed by, he SAW a man which was blind from his birth.”

• The Lord Jesus Christ SAW this man – God SEES and CARES ABOUT people!
  • cf. Psalm 8:3, 4 – God CARES about US – though we are seemingly insignificant in the grand scheme – God has placed MAN in a position to have dominion over God’s creation

• • cf. 1 Peter 5:7, 8

• The DISCIPLES also SAW this man – they associate his BLINDNESS with SIN
  • We are about to see TWO CONTRASTING VIEWS, though Jesus SAW the same exact man as the disciples

• • The Lord OFTEN sees things DIFFERENT from the way we do:
    • cf. 1 Samuel 16:7 – “for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.”

• • • • The RIGHT way to look at things
        • cf. 2 Corinthians 4:18

• • • Notice the disciples’ PERCEPTION of this man – they ONLY see this man as bearing the marks of SIN

• • • • Our HEARTS often focus ONLY on the NEGATIVE ASPECT of people

• • • • We also often FOCUS on LIMITED KNOWLEDGE of circumstances to make a decision

• • • • Good example of this – cf. Mark 12:41-44

• • • • Look at what happens next – cf. Mark 13:1-2
        • cf. Luke 9:49-50
        • cf. Luke 9:51-56

Verse 5 – “I am the light of the world” 

• cf. Psalm 119:105
• cf. Matthew 5:14-16
• cf. Philippians 2:14-16
• cf. 1 John 1:5

 

II. SPEAKING (v. 3-6)

 

• With each miracle, the WORDS of the Lord Jesus Christ have made ALL THE DIFFERENCE in circumstances.
  • By the way – each miracle had a SEEMINGLY DIFFICULT or IMPOSSIBLE situation.  These are the BEST situations for the Lord to do His work!
    • #1 – no wine – “Fill the waterpots with water… Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast.”
    • #2 – a nobleman’s son is sick – “Go thy way; thy son liveth.”
    • #3 – a man is impotent at the pool of Bethesda – “Rise, take up thy bed, and walk.”
    • #4 – 5000+ people need food – “Make the men sit down… Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost.”
    • #5 – the disciples in the boat with the wind and sea against them – “It is I; be not afraid.”
    • #6 – a man is born blind

Exodus 4:10-11 – this is WHY this is NOT an impossible situation – the LORD KNEW ALL ABOUT this man and his blindness!

Some situations certainly ARE the result of sin, THIS situation was so “that the works of God should be made manifest in him.” (v. 3)

• “works of God” – cf. Job 37:14, Ecclesiastes 11:5

Isaiah 55:8-11 – God’s ways vs. man’s ways

1 Corinthians 1:26-29 – God’s usage of people and situations

Verse 7 – He WENT his WAY, and WASHED, and came SEEING

• Spiritual SIGHT is ONLY AVAILABLE to those who have been WASHED in the blood of Jesus Christ

cf. 2 Corinthians 4:3, 4

 

III. SENDING (v. 7)

 

Once the Lord gives SIGHT, He SENDS!  He has SOMETHING for that individual to DO.  This man had a GREAT TESTIMONY of the work of Jesus Christ in His life!

• This man who WAS blind but now SEES become an IMMEDIATE WITNESS for the Lord
• • cf. John 9:8-11

• • • All the man does in v. 11 is TELL what Jesus Christ did for him

• • cf. John 9:12-15

• • • Now before the Pharisees he says the same thing

• • cf. John 9:24-33

• • cf. John 9:34-38

cf. John 20:19-22