Here in John chapter nine, we find the healing of the blind man who had been born blind. Upon seeing the blind man the disciples asked Jesus whose sin caused this man’s blindness. His own or was it a result of his parents. This was a common belief during the time of Jesus’ earthly ministry and in some circles remains to be a tightly held belief. Such a belief comes from a position of self-righteousness.
Jesus answered that neither the man nor his parents had sinned. Not that they were sinless, but their sin did not cause the blindness, instead God allowed it to happen to show God’s mighty works. This reminds us that we should be careful to not make judgments from our self-righteous perspective of others people's situations, because we don’t know what God is going to do.
Jesus proceeded to make some mud and put it on the man’s eyes told him to go and wash in the pool of Siloam. The man showed his faith by obeying Jesus and going to wash. As we have been reading through the book of John you may have noticed that Jesus does not always use the same method while healing or doing a miracle. This is so we don’t get stuck on the how of the miracle, but see The Who of the miracle.
As word spread throughout the town of the man's healing; he was taken to the Pharisees to give them an account of what happened. They were divided on rather or not Jesus was from God because he did this on the Sabbath. The man said that he didn’t know all the answers to the Pharisee's questions, saying “One thing I do know; I was blind, and now I can see.” After more discussion and the blind man plainly saying that Jesus is from God, because nobody could heal like this if they were not from God, he was excommunicated from the temple complex.
“When Jesus heard that they had thrown the man out, He found him and asked, “Do you believe in the Son of Man? ” “Who is He, Sir, that I may believe in Him? ” he asked. Jesus answered, “You have seen Him; in fact, He is the One speaking with you.” “I believe, Lord! ” he said, and he worshiped Him.” John 9:35-38 HCSB ( https://www.bible.com/72/jhn.9.35-38.hcsb )
The man seeing Jesus again believed that Jesus is the Son of Man and bowed down and worship Jesus. The miracle that Jesus did for this blind man is another proof that Jesus is the Son of God, but it is not the only proof that we find in this chapter. The fact that Jesus accepted the worship from this man is a testament to Jesus being God. For no prophet of God, or angel of God would ever accept worship from mankind (Rev. 22:8-9). Doing so would be stealing what belongs to God alone.
“Jesus said, “I came into this world for judgment, in order that those who do not see will see and those who do see will become blind.” Some of the Pharisees who were with Him heard these things and asked Him, “We aren’t blind too, are we? ” “If you were blind,” Jesus told them, “you wouldn’t have sin.” John 9:39-41 HCSB ( https://www.bible.com/72/jhn.9.39-41.hcsb )
Jesus ends by pointing out the spiritual blindness of the Pharisees. Even though they had physical eyesight and see the scriptures and testimonies of God's past workings and present miracles; they remained spiritually blind. We must allow this to remain a warning for us. That we don’t become self-righteous and puffed up with knowledge of the word of God and fail to receive spiritual sight; like these Pharisees have done.
Questions for reflection:
1. The spiritual leaders should have rejoiced at the healing of the blind man; instead, they rejected it as the work of a sinner. How can we avoid such self-righteousness in our own lives?
2. Instead of declaring that the pain and suffering of others is a result of their sinfulness, we should be seeking out ways to show them the compassion and grace of God. What are some ways that you can help and love those that are suffering around you?