6th Miracle and Sign
Healing of the Blind Man
John 9:1-41
Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” (John 8:12)
The Miracle of John’s Gospel that highlights the healing of a blind man contains many powerful messages. This account is covered in its entirety in Chapter 9. To appreciate this message, it is important to note that John Chapter 9 is a continuation of Chapter 8. There are two powerful contrasts we can take note of from chapter 8.
First there is the contrast between Light and Darkness. A person who is naturally blind cannot see light (John 8:12). Secondly, we have a clear distinction between Truth and Lies. Jesus speaks of knowing the Truth and being set free as a result of the Truth (John 8:32, 36). He later speaks of Satan as being the father of lies (John 8:44). Keep in mind these two contrasts as we consider the following points of this miracle.
1. This miracle is a sign (John 9:1-5)
Like all of the previous miracles of John’s Gospel, the restoring of sight of the blind man represents more than just a physical healing. The disciples surmised that either this man or his parents sinned that resulted in his blindness. Jesus remarked that this miracle will manifest the works of God in a glorious way. This makes clear that it was God who allowed this man to be blind at birth.
This reminds me of the story of Hannah who God allowed to be barren for a season (1 Samuel 1:5). Is it fair for someone like Hannah to be barren or for this man to be born blind? It was Hannah’s barrenness that eventually brought forth the priest and prophet Samuel. In like manner, the God-ordained blindness in this man’s life will result in something far beyond the restoring of natural sight.
2. Another Sabbath Miracle (John 9:14)
In the healing of the man at the Pool of Bethesda, we commented on how Jesus performed this miracle on a Sabbath Day (John 5:16). This man had an infirmity for 38 years, yet no man was able to help him. Only Jesus was able to make Him whole. The Sabbath Day speaks of Rest. It is a picture of God doing what man cannot do.
Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28)
The man born blind had no ability in himself to see. Do you find yourself in situations where you feel helpless and unable to carry on in life? It can be at such times when Jesus reveals Himself while drawing our attention to the message of the Sabbath and Rest.
3. The Power of a Testimony
Throughout the year 2024, Lighthouse Evangelism has featured the testimonies of different people who have had an encounter with God. Have you considered the powerful testimony of this man who was healed of his blindness? We see a measure of boldness as he stood firm against the accusations and threatening’s of the religious groups (John 9:27). No one could take away the mighty work that God had done in his life. Never underestimate the potency of your testimony. Declare it and make it known when opportunities present themselves.
4. Those who could see naturally were spiritually blind
Consider the following absurd statement of the Pharisees to this blind man.
So they again called the man who was blind, and said to him, “Give God the glory! We know that this Man is a sinner.” (John 9:24)
In one breath, they say to the blind man to give God the Glory while declaring Jesus to be a sinner. They were not disputing the miracle but rather denying Jesus as being the one who performed the healing. These men later rejected the Truth of what had taken place as they cast this man out of their sight (John 9:34).
5. Jesus opened His spiritual eyes
Try and place yourself in the shoes of this man who has been healed. The miracle of sight has been given to him and yet he is rejected by the religious community. It is here where we discover Jesus seeking after this man and after finding him, asks the following question:
Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when He had found him, He said to him, “Do you believe in the Son of God” (John 9:35)?
The Lord is presenting to this man an even greater miracle, the opening of his spiritual eyes to salvation. What was his response? He believed and began worshipping Jesus (John 9:38).
Can we appreciate the many lessons coming forth from this miracle? At birth each of us are born spiritually blind. The Lord used this man’s blindness from birth to portray the message of what it means to truly see. The irony of this miracle is that those who thought they could see were blind and in darkness. The same is true today. Let it be our prayer that the Lord would open our eyes so that we might see the True Light of the World, and look at life through His eyes.
DAILY MEDITATIONS:
Monday: Mark 8:25
Then He put His hands on his eyes again and made him look up. And he was restored and saw everyone clearly.
Tuesday: 2 Kings 6:17
And Elisha prayed, and said, “LORD, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.” Then the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.
Wednesday: Revelation 3:18
I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see.
Thursday: 2 Corinthians 4:4
Whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.
Friday: Isaiah 42:16
I will bring the blind by a way they did not know; I will lead them in paths they have not known. I will make darkness light before them, And crooked places straight. These things I will do for them, And not forsake them.
Saturday: Matthew 13:16
But blessed are your eyes for they see, and your ears for they hear;
Sunday: 1 John 2:11
But he who hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.
All scriptures are quoted from the New King James Version (NKJV).
By Pastor Timothy O’Connell
