As Jesus walked along, He saw a man who had been blind from birth. His disciples saw a puzzle to solve: whose sin caused this? Jesus saw a person and an opportunity for God’s work. With mud, spit and a short walk to a pool, the man received his sight. But his troubles were not over. Neighbors doubted, religious leaders questioned him, and his own parents were afraid to stand with him. This long chapter shows how faith grows under pressure and how Jesus finds those others push out.
Not Blame, but Glory
The disciples asked, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind? Jesus answered that neither had sinned to cause it. It happened so that the works of God would be shown in him (John 9:1-5). Many cultures quickly blame suffering on someone’s sin or on a curse. Jesus rejects that easy answer. When people asked about Galileans killed by Pilate and a tower that fell in Siloam, Jesus said those victims were not worse sinners than others (Luke 13:1-5). This does not mean sin never brings consequences. It means we must not assume. God can be glorified even in long hardship. The Lord told Paul, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9). Instead of asking only why, we can ask how God might show His power here.
When you see someone suffering this week, how will you offer help and prayer instead of guessing who is to blame?
One Thing I Know
Jesus spat on the ground, made clay, put it on the man’s eyes and told him to wash in the pool of Siloam. He went, washed and came back seeing (John 9:6-11). Soon the Pharisees questioned him again and again. His parents were afraid of being put out of the synagogue, so they said, ask him (John 9:18-23). The man did not know theology. But he gave an answer no one could argue with: one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see (John 9:25). When Peter and John were told to stop preaching, they replied that they could not stop speaking what they had seen and heard (Acts 4:20). You do not need to win every debate. You only need to tell honestly what Jesus has done for you. A changed life is a powerful testimony.
What is your own one thing I know about Jesus, and with whom will you share it this week?
Found by Jesus
Because the man would not deny what happened, the leaders cast him out. Jesus heard about it and went looking for him. He asked, Dost thou believe on the Son of God? The man said, Lord, I believe, and he worshipped Him (John 9:34-38). His eyes had been opened, and now his heart was too. Then Jesus spoke a sobering word: those who claim to see but refuse Him remain in their sin (John 9:39-41). Paul says the god of this world has blinded the minds of those who believe not, but God shines His light into our hearts (2 Corinthians 4:4-6). To the proud church in Laodicea, Jesus said they did not know they were blind, and He offered them eye salve so they could see (Revelation 3:17-18). The worst blindness is not of the eyes, but of a heart that will not come.
Where might pride be keeping you from seeing what God wants to show you, and how will you humbly ask Him about it this week?
Conclusion
John 9 begins with a man who could not see and ends with men who would not see. In between, Jesus heals, the healed man testifies, and Jesus finds him when others throw him out. The man moved from calling Jesus a man, to a prophet, to Lord whom he worshipped. That is the path of faith. Jesus is the light of the world. He still opens blind eyes and hard hearts. Like the hymn says, I once was blind, but now I see. Let us keep our eyes on Him.
Share this study
Send it to a friend, your family group or your cell group. The link opens this week’s study on any phone.