EXPLORING JOHN'S GOSPEL
Chapter 9: John 9
Jesus Heals a Man Born Blind
Read John 9:1-12.
The disciples believed that all sickness was a punishment for sin. But why should a man be born blind? It couldn’t be because of his sin. He was born blind before he could do any wrong. Would it be because of the parents’ sin?
Jesus let them know that sickness and suffering are not always the result of a person’s sin. Many sicknesses have come from natural causes having nothing to do with sin and punishment. This man’s blindness was going to give him an opportunity to be healed by Jesus and saved from his sins. Others would see God’s power and believe on Jesus. So God, who knows all things before they happen, let the man be born blind.
Sometimes we can’t understand why we have to suffer. We try to correct any natural causes of sickness and take care of our health, but still we and our children suffer from accidents and disease. And we ask: “Lord, why has this happened to me?”
God does sometimes use suffering to correct us. We should search our heart and life and ask forgiveness of anything wrong that we have said or done, or any wrong attitudes or sinful thoughts. We should pray for God to heal us. Above all, let’s pray that through our suffering others may see God’s power and love and will praise Him. We want everything in our lives to bring glory to God.
For You to Do
1. Why was the man born blind?
a) Because of his sins.
b) Because of his parents’ sin.
c) So that God’s power could be seen.
2. Why didn’t the man know who had healed him?
a) He was not healed of his blindness until after he went to wash in the Pool of Siloam.
b) When he was healed he did not ask Jesus who He was.
c) He was a stranger in town.
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The Pharisees Investigate the Healing
Read John 9:13-34.
Jesus’ enemies were angry because He had healed the blind man on the Sabbath. They weren’t even happy because the blind man had been healed. They tried to convince him that Jesus was a sinner and finally threw the healed man out of the synagogue (their church).
The man who had been healed set a good example for us. His arguments couldn’t convince these religious leaders that Jesus had come from God, but he could tell what Jesus had done for him. So can we.
One thing I do know: I was blind, and now I see (John 9:25).
For You to Do
3. Memorize John 9:25.
4. Pray God will help you tell others what Jesus has done for you.
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Spiritual Blindness
Read John 9:35-41.
It was a serious thing to be put out of the synagogue, almost like being declared dead. Jesus went to find the man to encourage him. He let the man know that He was the Savior. The man believed and worshipped Jesus.
Jesus spoke about spiritual blindness. The Pharisees were to blame for their spiritual blindness because they refused to accept the truth. But the blind beggar believed in Jesus and was both healed and saved from his sins.
If we don’t want to be spiritually blind, we must accept Jesus as our personal Savior. Jesus comes to us and opens our eyes spiritually as we study the Bible and pray.
Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law
(Psalm 119:18, KJV).
For You to Do
5. What other kind of blindness did Jesus talk about?
a) Partial blindness when a person needs eyeglasses.
b) The spiritual blindness of those who do not believe in Jesus.
c) Color blindness.
6. What must each of us do to be healed of spiritual blindness?
a) We must accept Christ personally and individually as our Savior.
b) We must become a member of a church.
c) We must have someone put mud on our eyes.
Check Your Answers
1. c) So that God’s power could be seen
2. a) He was not healed of his blindness until after he went to wash in the Pool of Siloam.
5. b) The spiritual blindness of those who do not believe in Jesus.
6. a) We must accept Christ personally and individually as our Savior.
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