2.4 The Healing of the Blind Man, Part 2
The Spiritual Blindness of the Pharisees and the Growing Insight of the Healed Man

Read John 9:17–34. What questions did the leaders ask, and how did the blind man respond?

In John 9:17–34, we witness an intense confrontation between the healed blind man and the religious leaders who are seeking answers. The Pharisees pose several questions to the formerly blind man to determine how he was healed and to uncover who Jesus is. They are already biased because Jesus performed the healing on the Sabbath and thus consider Him a sinner.

The formerly blind man responds with remarkable clarity and increasing understanding. Initially, he simply describes what happened: “He opened my eyes” (John 9:25). However, as the Pharisees repeatedly attempt to portray Jesus as a sinner, the blind man boldly points out that someone who performs such a miracle can only come from God (John 9:33). He argues, “Never has anyone heard anything like this” (John 9:32).

The Reversal of Roles

While the Pharisees, who were regarded as spiritual leaders, become increasingly confused and “blind” in their judgment of Jesus, the formerly blind man becomes more seeing—not only physically but also spiritually. He gradually realizes that Jesus is more than just a prophet: Jesus must be sent by God. His spiritual sight grows in contrast to the spiritual blindness of the Pharisees, who, despite the obvious signs and miracles, refuse to question their rigid beliefs.

Central Themes of the Account

This section of the Gospel of John is particularly significant because it intersects with many key themes:

1. Jesus as the Light of the World: This healing confirms Jesus’ statement that He is the light coming into the darkness of the world (John 9:5; John 8:12). The formerly blind man experiences this light on both a physical and spiritual level.

2. Spiritual Blindness: While the blind man comes increasingly to faith, the Pharisees become “blinder” in their unbelief. John illustrates how religious pride and prejudice can lead to spiritual blindness.

3. The Origin of Jesus: The healed man is questioned by the Pharisees about Jesus’ origin. This question permeates the Gospel: Who is Jesus, and where does He come from? The blind man recognizes that Jesus must be sent by God, while the Pharisees remain in their ignorance.

4. The Danger of Hardened Hearts: The religious leaders refuse to acknowledge the truth about Jesus despite clear evidence. This serves as a stark warning that pride and clinging to false beliefs can render us spiritually blind.

Conclusion:

This section demonstrates that true spiritual insight does not depend on education or religious rank but on an open, humble heart willing to accept God’s truth. The blind man, once without physical and spiritual light, receives both through Jesus, while the Pharisees remain in darkness despite their knowledge and status. It is a powerful reminder that our pride can prevent us from seeing the truth, even when it lies directly before us.

Read 1 Corinthians 1:26–29. How does what Paul writes in these verses relate to John’s above account, and how does the same principle apply today?

In John 9, we see God using the “weak”—the man born blind—to reveal His power and glory. The formerly blind man becomes a witness for Jesus, even though he was considered insignificant both socially and religiously. At the same time, it is the religious leaders, the “wise” and “powerful,” who refuse to recognize the truth. Their power, knowledge, and pride prevent them from seeing the spiritual truth even when it is right before their eyes.

Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 1:26–29 emphasize that God often chooses the “weak” and “foolish” in the world to shame the “strong” and “wise.” The healed blind man embodies this principle: a seemingly weak and despised man becomes the mouthpiece of divine truth, while the educated and powerful Pharisees remain blind in their blindness.

Does the Same Principle Apply Today?

Yes, this principle remains valid in the 21st century. God often chooses those whom society views as insignificant or weak to reveal His power and wisdom. This teaches us not to judge based on external qualifications such as power, wealth, or knowledge when it comes to spiritual insight and God’s workings.

Some Modern Applications:

1. Humility Before God: We should recognize that our human wisdom or status does not automatically grant us access to God’s truth. It is often humble faith that opens our eyes to God’s workings.

2. Respect for the “Unremarkable”: God works through people whom the world often overlooks or underestimates. In our daily lives, we should remain open to how God speaks through the humble, the weak, or the unexpected.

3. Warning Against Pride: Like the Pharisees in John 9, we can become spiritually blind through religious or intellectual pride. Believing we have all the answers or possessing all the knowledge can shut us off from God’s revelation.

4. God Often Chooses the Weak: God reveals His greatness and power through what the world considers weak or foolish. This reminds us that true wisdom and strength come from humility before God and openness to His work, regardless of its source.

Conclusion:

The Healing of the Blind Man in John 9:17–34 and the subsequent confrontation between the healed man and the religious leaders not only highlight the dynamics between physical and spiritual blindness but also provide an important lesson for our daily lives and faith.

This story reminds us that true spiritual insight and understanding do not depend on external qualifications, social status, or religious position. Instead, true sight comes through humility and openness to God’s work. The formerly blind man, a simple and despised individual, becomes a testimony of God’s power and truth, while the Pharisees, despite their scholarship and position, grow increasingly blind.

Practical Applications:

1. Humility and Spiritual Openness: In our daily lives, we can easily fall into the trap of relying on our own wisdom or accomplishments. However, the story of the healed man shows that God’s truth is often revealed to the humble. A humble heart is crucial for spiritual clarity, meaning a willingness to learn from God and recognize that our knowledge is limited.

2. Awareness of God’s Work: God often works through unexpected people and events. In everyday life, this means being open to God’s voice, even when it comes through people or situations we might overlook or underestimate. Like the formerly blind man, we often recognize God’s actions gradually as we open ourselves to Him.

3. Caution Against Pride: The Pharisees were convinced they knew the truth and relied on their religious traditions and rules. Their pride prevented them from recognizing the truth. We must be careful that pride—whether in knowledge, status, or beliefs—does not prevent us from clearly seeing God’s will. Spiritual blindness can affect anyone who closes themselves to the truth.

Conclusion:

The Healing of the Blind Man teaches us that true spiritual sight lies in an open, humble heart. In our faith and daily lives, we should strive not to become blind through pride or prejudices but always be ready to receive God’s truth—whether through small, unremarkable means or people we might easily overlook.

Humility opens the eyes to God’s truth—pride closes them.

Source: https://fulfilleddesire.net/lesson-2-signs-of-divinity-2-4-the-healing-of-the-blind-man-part-2-themes-in-the-gospel-of-john-living-faith/

October 9, 2024

DAILY BIBLE READING – John Chapter 3

¹ There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:

² The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.

³ Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

⁴ Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?

⁵ Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

⁶ That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

⁷ Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

⁸ The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.

⁹ Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be?

¹⁰ Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?

¹¹ Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness.

¹² If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?

¹³ And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.

¹⁴ And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:

¹⁵ That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

¹⁶ For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

¹⁷ For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

¹⁸ He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

¹⁹ And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.

²⁰ For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.

²¹ But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

²² After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judaea; and there he tarried with them, and baptized.

²³ And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized.

²⁴ For John was not yet cast into prison.

²⁵ Then there arose a question between some of John’s disciples and the Jews about purifying.

²⁶ And they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him.

²⁷ John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.

²⁸ Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him.

²⁹ He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled.

³⁰ He must increase, but I must decrease.

³¹ He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all.

³² And what he hath seen and heard, that he testifieth; and no man receiveth his testimony.

³³ He that hath received his testimony hath set to his seal that God is true.

³⁴ For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him.

³⁵ The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand.

³⁶ He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

King James Version. Public Domain

 

Commentary

Introduction

John Chapter 3 recounts two essential events in the life of Jesus: the nocturnal conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus, a Pharisee, and the final testimony of John the Baptist about Jesus. Nicodemus, a leading teacher of Israel, approaches Jesus seeking answers to deeper spiritual questions. This chapter encompasses some of Jesus’ most important statements about the Kingdom of God, rebirth, and faith, which hold a central place in Christian theology.

Commentary

The encounter between Jesus and Nicodemus begins with a misunderstanding. Nicodemus recognizes Jesus as a teacher sent by God because of His miracles, but Jesus responds with a deeper truth: only through spiritual rebirth can one see the Kingdom of God (verse 3). This concept of “new birth” (Greek: anothen – “from above” or “again”) confuses Nicodemus, who takes the statement literally. Jesus explains that rebirth occurs through water and the Spirit (verse 5), highlighting the inner, transformative power of the Holy Spirit.

A central point of this section is the contrast between flesh and spirit. While the flesh is perishable and earthly, the Spirit of God is eternal and divine. The metaphor of the wind in verse 8 illustrates the invisible but powerful effect of the Spirit in the human soul.

Nicodemus, a teacher of Israel, is admonished by Jesus for not yet understanding these spiritual truths, despite his position as a teacher (verse 10). This admonition emphasizes that access to the Kingdom of God comes not through intellectual knowledge but through faith and the revelation of the Spirit.

Jesus refers to the exaltation of the Son of Man (verse 14), alluding to His forthcoming sacrificial death on the cross, which He compares to the lifting up of the serpent by Moses in the wilderness (Numbers 21:9). The famous John 3:16 follows immediately after and summarizes God’s plan of salvation: God loved the world so much that He gave His only Son so that all who believe in Him may have eternal life.

The conversation underscores the contrast between light and darkness (verses 19–21). People who love the light (Jesus) come out of the darkness and demonstrate through their actions that they are rooted in God. However, those who love evil avoid the light to hide their deeds.

In the second part of the chapter, John the Baptist gives testimony about Jesus. He recognizes that Jesus, as the bridegroom, is the true focus, while he himself is only the friend of the bridegroom, rejoicing at Jesus’ coming (verse 29). John acknowledges his own role: he must decrease while Jesus must increase (verse 30).

John points out that Jesus comes “from above” and is above all. Whoever believes in Him receives eternal life, while those who do not believe remain under God’s wrath (verse 36).

Summary

John Chapter 3 presents two central teachings of the Christian faith: first, the necessity of spiritual rebirth through the Holy Spirit to see and enter the Kingdom of God; second, the central role of Jesus as the one who brings salvation by being exalted for the sins of the world. The chapter includes the famous John 3:16, which emphasizes God’s love for people and faith in Jesus as the key to eternal life. John the Baptist concludes by giving a clear testimony of Jesus’ preeminence and His divine origin.

 

 

 

Source: https://fulfilleddesire.net/9-10-2024-john-chapter-3-believe-his-prophets/