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a) Healing on the Sabbath (John 9:1-12)
JOHN 9:1-5
1 As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. 2 His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” 3 Jesus answered, “Neither did this man sin, nor his parents; but, that the works of God might be revealed in him. 4 I must work the works of him who sent me, while it is day. The night is coming, when no one can work. 5 While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”
Jesus did not hurriedly flee from his enemies who were going to stone him, rather he noticed at this critical juncture a brother man in affliction. He is the love that pardons, is faithful and full of blessings. The disciples also saw the blind man but were not unduly troubled. Instead they speculated about the guilt that caused this calamity, as most people in the past thought that diseases were due to some sin or other and fell as punishment from God. Jesus did not define the cause of the handicap; he did not formally declare the parents or the young man innocent but saw in this man’s affliction an opportunity for God to work. He would not let his disciples judge the blind man or query the causes of blindness. He impelled them to move forward and showed them the aim of God’s will; salvation and healing.
"I must work", said Jesus. Love impelled him for he had no wish to judge or destroy but longed to heal in compassion. He shows thereby his redeeming love, his convictions and aims. He is the savior of the world wishing to bring people the divine life.
We also hear Jesus’ words, "I do not work in my name nor through my own strength; rather I accomplish my Father’s works in His name, in accord with Him." His works he called God’s.
Jesus knew that time was short and death was near. Despite this, he gave time to cure the blind man. He is the light of the world desiring to illumine the blind man with the light of life. There was a time coming when neither he nor any saint could do something. While it is day and there are occasions to preach let us witness for him. Darkness increases, our world has no hope other than the return of Christ. Who will prepare his way?
JOHN 9:6-7
6 When he had said this, he spat on the ground, made mud with the saliva, anointed the blind man’s eyes with the mud, 7 and said to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which means “Sent”). So he went away, washed, and came back seeing.
Previously Jesus had performed his miracle by a mere word. But in this case of the blind man he spat on the ground and made a paste out of the spittle and covered the eyes of the blind man with it. Jesus wanted him to feel that the blind man had been given something from Christ’s body. Jesus felt for the blind man and dealt with him in the best manner to lead him to a cure. Strangely, the man’s eyes were not instantly opened. He had to walk some way to the bottom of the valley, to wash himself in the pool of Siloam, which means "the sent One", a symbol that the healing was meant to be a sending forth to His people. They themselves were born blind in sins and trespasses needing to receive the cure that Jesus provides and salvation too.
The blind man accepted Christ’s promise, confident in his love. He obeyed instantly. He walked on slowly, contemplating in his heart what Christ had told him. Yet he did go, washed his eyes and sight was healed. Right away, he saw people, water, light, his own hands and the sky. He saw all this with amazement. His voice exploded with Hallelujahs and praise for God's mercy.
JOHN 9:8-12
8 The neighbors therefore, and those who saw that he was blind before, said, “Isn’t this he who sat and begged?” 9 Others were saying, “It is he.” Still others were saying, “He looks like him.” He said, “I am he.” 10 They therefore were asking him, “How were your eyes opened?” 11 He answered, “A man called Jesus made mud, anointed my eyes, and said to me, ‘Go to the pool of Siloam, and wash.’ So I went away and washed, and I received sight.” 12 Then they asked him, “Where is he?” He said, “I don’t know.”
The miracle did not remain concealed because his neighbors saw the healed one and were mightily surprised. Some did not believe that this upright walker was the same man who used to stumble and hesitate as he moved, often led by a bystander. He witnessed to his own identity that he was the selfsame one whom they had known.
People inquired about the details of his cure, but did not ask about the healer, but only how it was done. The restored blind man called his healer Jesus, and knew little else about him. He was ignorant of Christ’s deity but saw him as a man who made a paste and rubbed it on his eyes, then ordered him to wash, and so he was able to see.
At this, the Council’s spies asked, "Where is this Jesus?" The young man replied, "I do not know; once I was blind but now I see. He did not ask me for money nor a word of thanks. I went down to the spring, and now I can see. I do not know who he is, nor where."
PRAYER: We thank you, Lord Jesus; you did not pass the blind man and ignore him. You opened his eyes and made him a sign for all who are born in sin. Wipe our eyes clean by your Holy Spirit so we might see your light, and confess your name with joy.
QUESTION:
- Why did Jesus heal the man born blind?