Previous Lesson -- Next Lesson
c) Jesus reveals himself as God's Son to the healed one (John 9:35–41)
JOHN 9:35-38
35 Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, and finding him, he said, “Do you believe in the Son of God?” 36 He answered, “Who is he, Lord, that I may believe in him?” 37 Jesus said to him, “You have both seen him, and it is he who speaks with you.” 38 He said, “Lord, I believe!” and he worshiped him.
We have read this comforting story. When Jesus heard about the healed man’s expulsion, he sought and found him in his distress. This is the comfort available to every believer who has been separated from family and friends for Christ’s sake. If you are in this situation we assure you that Jesus will hear your cries and come to you in person and will not leave you. Do not look to people or you will be disappointed. Look to Jesus alone. You have no hope on earth or in heaven but in him. He loves you.
Then Jesus asked the young man the crucial question, "Do you believe in the Son of God, who is also the Son of Man?" This shows that Jesus was aware of the young man’s familiarity with parts of the Old Testament, and knew from Daniel 7:13–14, that the Son of Man is the Judge of the World and God’s Son. Jesus was asking this to find out if the young man wanted to yield to the majesty of God’s Son for time and eternity and would not fall back. He had already felt that Jesus was no ordinary man, and addressed him as "Lord." Yet he wished to know more about who the Son of God was, so as not to worship a mere man – which would be idolatry.
At this, Jesus gave him a glorious answer, "You saw him beforehand by faith, before seeing him by sight, I am He; the Son of God speaking to you." No more delay for this young man in full surrender to Jesus. He bowed down before him, as if to say, "Lord, I am yours and you are my king, my master and Lord. You are Love incarnate, I yield to you willingly, to be your slave henceforth." Brother, have you discerned Jesus, God’s Son, in human form? Have you bonded with him as a believer? Have you worshiped him as a bond-servant?
JOHN 9:39-41
39 Jesus said, “I came into this world for judgment, that those who don’t see may see; and that those who see may become blind.” 40 Those of the Pharisees who were with him heard these things, and said to him, “Are we also blind?” 41 Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you would have no sin; but now you say, ‘We see.’ Therefore your sin remains.
When the young man bowed down before Jesus, he was not prevented from doing so because Jesus is worthy of all honor. But Jesus said that his coming would bring judgment to the proud and on pious folk who imagined themselves to be discerning, but knew nothing of the truth. The blind and sinners had realized this and repented and fornicators were cleansed. Jesus did not judge the unrepentant; they judged themselves for rejecting his salvation. They had received some light in the past through the prophets and biblical evidences, but if they deliberately opposed Jesus’ preaching, they would forfeit the rest of the illumination which was available. They would become blind, hard-hearted, stubborn and hateful killers. Christ’s coming and his preaching have two results: Salvation or damnation, blessing or cursing. What is the result in your heart?
Among Christ’s audience were Pharisees who felt that Jesus was marking them by his words. They asked, "Are we blind?" Jesus pierced their hypocrisy saying, "If you realistically saw yourselves blind and grieved at your spiritual state, you would have repented of your sins before John the Baptist, and forsaken your sins; then you would have received pardon and blessing. But you delude yourselves, and claim to understand everything, thinking you are righteous. But with such boasting you prove your blindness and hardness. You will not get a single ray of light from the light of the world."
PRAYER: Lord Jesus, you are God’s Son in human form. We worship you and surrender to you now and forever. We are at your disposal with our energies and possessions. We beseech you to forgive and sanctify our hearts so that no sin, however slight, may separate us from you.
QUESTION:
- What does bowing down before Jesus signify?