#14 – Knowing God Better – John 9

John 9 opens with the disciples asking a very surprising question.

1 As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man who had been blind from birth. 2 “Rabbi,” his disciples asked him, “why was this man born blind? Was it because of his own sins or his parents’ sins?”

They felt comfortable asking Jesus anything…any question about life, the universe, ANYTHING! And (rightly) believed that Jesus would know.

Here was Jesus’ answer…

3 “It was not because of his sins or his parents’ sins,” Jesus answered. “This happened so the power of God could be seen in him. 4 We must quickly carry out the tasks assigned us by the one who sent us. The night is coming, and then no one can work. 5 But while I am here in the world, I am the light of the world.”

And then Jesus did this…

6 Then he spit on the ground, made mud with the saliva, and spread the mud over the blind man’s eyes.

Q – In verse 6 (above) did the blind man believe in Jesus, and cooperate with Jesus putting mud on his eyes? Or did Jesus forcefully do this to him? (Warning: This is a trick question.)
A –

There is not enough information in that verse to know. But if we keep reading, we do know! (Keep that in mind. Sometimes you need to just keep reading.)

Jesus then told the man…

7 “Go wash yourself in the pool of Siloam”…So the man went and washed and came back seeing!

Q – Did the man believe in Jesus?
A –

John 9 continues in a rather comical way. This man, born blind, can now see. And the crowd, and especially the Pharisees, are trying to figure out if this is true. And if so, how did it happen? (You should read the whole chapter.)

Q – According to the verses below, why did the crowd take the man to the Pharisees?
A –

13 Then they took the man who had been blind to the Pharisees, 14 because it was on the Sabbath that Jesus had made the mud and healed him.

The man explained how he was healed.

Q – What do you think of the Pharisees’ conclusion, in verse 16?
A –

16 Some of the Pharisees said, “This man Jesus is not from God, for he is working on the Sabbath.”

Q – According to the next verse, how desperate were the Pharisees?
A –

18 The Jewish leaders still refused to believe the man had been blind and could now see, so they called in his parents.

Q – They asked the parents if this was indeed their son, and if he really was born blind. According to the parents’ answer below, what was important to his parents?
A –

20 His parents replied, “We know this is our son and that he was born blind, 21 but we don’t know how he can see or who healed him. Ask him. He is old enough to speak for himself.” 22 His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders, who had announced that anyone saying Jesus was the Messiah would be expelled from the synagogue.

Q – In the verses below, look at this man’s answer. What does this show you about how YOU can speak about what God has done in your life?
A –

24 So for the second time they called in the man who had been blind and told him, “God should get the glory for this, because we know this man Jesus is a sinner.”

25 “I don’t know whether he is a sinner,” the man replied. “But I know this: I was blind, and now I can see!”

After the Pharisees threw the man out of the synagogue, Jesus found the man, and asked the man this question…

35 …”Do you believe in the Son of Man?”
36 The man answered, “Who is he, sir? I want to believe in him.”
37 “You have seen him,” Jesus said, “and he is speaking to you!”
38 “Yes, Lord, I believe!” the man said. And he worshiped Jesus.

Q – What does this show you about Jesus’ heart?
A –

Next study will be John 10, which might be my favorite chapter.

Sincerely,

Marilyn Adamson
director of EveryStudent.com
and StartingwithGod.com