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Another sabbath has come upon us; another opportunity to give thanks and praise to our LORD; may we adore our precious Saviour in universal adoration. As we look upon some of the beauty of nature yet untainted by sinful man, we see a portion of the goodness of the Creator. Our universe in not eternal, God formed it from nothing. Praise the LORD!
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8 The neighbours therefore, and they which before had seen him that he was blind, said, Is not this he that sat and begged? 9 Some said, This is he: others said, He is like him: but he said, I am he. 10 Therefore said they unto him, How were thine eyes opened? 11 He answered and said, A man that is called Jesus made clay, and anointed mine eyes, and said unto me, Go to the pool of Siloam, and wash: and I went and washed, and I received sight. 12 Then said they unto him, Where is he? He said, I know not. 13 They brought to the Pharisees him that aforetime was blind. 14 And it was the sabbath day when Jesus made the clay, and opened his eyes. 15 Then again the Pharisees also asked him how he had received his sight. He said unto them, He put clay upon mine eyes, and I washed, and do see. 16 Therefore said some of the Pharisees, This man is not of God, because he keepeth not the sabbath day. Others said, How can a man that is a sinner do such miracles? And there was a division among them. 17 They say unto the blind man again, What sayest thou of him, that he hath opened thine eyes? He said, He is a prophet. 18 But the Jews did not believe concerning him, that he had been blind, and received his sight, until they called the parents of him that had received his sight. 19 And they asked them, saying, Is this your son, who ye say was born blind? how then doth he now see? 20 His parents answered them and said, We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind: 21 But by what means he now seeth, we know not; or who hath opened his eyes, we know not: he is of age; ask him: he shall speak for himself. 22 These words spake his parents, because they feared the Jews: for the Jews had agreed already, that if any man did confess that he was Christ, he should be put out of the synagogue. 23 Therefore said his parents, He is of age; ask him. 24 Then again called they the man that was blind, and said unto him, Give God the praise: we know that this man is a sinner. 25 He answered and said, Whether he be a sinner or no, I know not: one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see. 26 Then said they to him again, What did he to thee? how opened he thine eyes? 27 He answered them, I have told you already, and ye did not hear: wherefore would ye hear it again? will ye also be his disciples? 28 Then they reviled him, and said, Thou art his disciple; but we are Moses' disciples. 29 We know that God spake unto Moses: as for this fellow, we know not from whence he is. 30 The man answered and said unto them, Why herein is a marvellous thing, that ye know not from whence he is, and yet he hath opened mine eyes. 31 Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth. 32 Since the world began was it not heard that any man opened the eyes of one that was born blind. 33 If this man were not of God, he could do nothing. 34 They answered and said unto him, Thou wast altogether born in sins, and dost thou teach us? And they cast him out. 35 Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when he had found him, he said unto him, Dost thou believe on the Son of God? 36 He answered and said, Who is he, Lord, that I might believe on him? 37 And Jesus said unto him, Thou hast both seen him, and it is he that talketh with thee. 38 And he said, Lord, I believe. And he worshipped him. 39 And Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind. 40 And some of the Pharisees which were with him heard these words, and said unto him, Are we blind also? 41 Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth.
Do you feel compassion for the blind man? After all, he was born blind. It's easy to quickly say "yeah, that's too bad". But think about this for a minute; he never saw his parents, sunlight, green grass, mountains, rivers, the stars or any of these such wonderful things that quite honestly those of us with fairly normal vision perhaps often take for granted.
When we look at human suffering and affirmities in general, we can endlessly ponder the question as to why do such things happen. Those who are in Christ know they happen for a purpose. Jesus said they happen "that the glory of God might be made manifest.". The LORD often uses discipline upon His children in order that the will of God may be perfected in their life.
Being blind from birth, this man was utter dependent upon others; this paints a spiritual portrait of a true believer before they are saved; they are born spiritually blind and totally dependant upon the LORD for salvation.
This is not unique as we look at Jesus' earthly ministry in the gospels. The poor, outcasts and those uncapable of help very often showed the greatest grace instilled faith in Jesus. They had no place else to go. The religious leaders ceased being shepherds to the people. The prosperous and self-righteous felt no necessity for good works either.
"And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:" (Revelation 3:14-17).
This man born blind in John 9 gives us another spiritual lesson as Christians as well; namely, this man had courage. At this particular point is Jesus' ministry all Jews knew the possible consequences of being associated with Jesus. This man not only associated with the now hated Nazarene, but allowed Him to be his healer on the Sabbath.
That brings us to another lesson we find in this blind beggar; he had an honest heart and when he found truth, he followed it. Of course he was no fancy theological student with various degrees like the rulers, but God's grace gave Him enough to know what he needed to in order to get by. His honest heart recognized Jesus, but the blind Pharisees could not, sadly they were beyond redemption. The religious leaders falsely accused Jesus of sinning by healing on the sabbath, but the man knew otherwise and his theology was ever so sweeter than the "learned" doctors (quacks) of the law!
"But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence. But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord." (1 Corinthians 1:27-31).
We also learn a lesson from the blind beggars parents. This is a lesson of fear and cowardice. They feared the loss of prestige and social respectability. If they chose Christ, they would suffer loss of friends and business. They also feared excommunication ---- they feared their "church". It is also possible as is so common today, the fear of the responsibilites that go with being a Christian. Often the truth must force someone to change their lifestyle to remove a besetting sin.
The blind mans parents are no different than many today who do not see beyond this world. We all know however that's something that cannot be put off. They could only look at the present possiblilties of persecution and criticism they would have to endure for the LORD's sake. They could only look to the things in the world that they might lose.
While looking at John 9, we should also note the blindness of the Pharisees fueled by prejudice, hate and bigotry. Did you note not a single word is mentioned about any of them celebrating the fact that this man born blind was healed? No. Instead they were doing their constant complaining as usual. Their traditions were broken and they were obsessing for revenge and to trap Jesus. Sadly, in our day as well many are so filled with hatred in their blood and prejudices they can see no good in anything except in their own ideas and life.
In closing, I'd like to point to three of the main factors which cause spiritual blindness. These are materialism, fear and self-righteousness.
Materialism without a doubt being the leading cause:
"His watchmen are blind: they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber. Yea, they are greedy dogs which can never have enough, and they are shepherds that cannot understand: they all look to their own way, every one for his gain, from his quarter." (Isaiah 56:10,11).
"Woe unto them that join house to house, that lay field to field, till there be no place, that they may be placed alone in the midst of the earth! In mine ears said the LORD of hosts, Of a truth many houses shall be desolate, even great and fair, without inhabitant. Yea, ten acres of vineyard shall yield one bath, and the seed of an homer shall yield an ephah. Woe unto them that rise up early in the morning, that they may follow strong drink; that continue until night, till wine inflame them! And the harp, and the viol, the tabret, and pipe, and wine, are in their feasts: but they regard not the work of the LORD, neither consider the operation of his hands." (Isaiah 5:8-13).
Looking at the problem calls for a solution: purity and humility!
"Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up." (James 4:9,10).
Faith, courage, loyalty, obedience!
"If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself. He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him." (John 7:17,18).
Why wait?
"These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." (John 15:11-13).
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