Dear Friends,
To do this chapter justice we cannot split it up. I will only comment on a few. This true story is self explanatory.
Chapter 9
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[/align] 9:1 And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth. 9:2 And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind? It looks like that the common thought in those days was that sickness was a result of sin. However; remember His charge to the man in chapter 5 at the pool."¯ Go and sin no more les a worst thing come upon you."¯
9:3 Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him. 9:4 I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work. 9:5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.
In this situation no ones sin had caused this. God makes some people with disabilities. Remember this statement to Moses..Ex. 4:11 And the LORD said unto him, Who hath made man's mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the LORD?
9:6 When he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and he anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay, 9:7 And said unto him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam, (which is by interpretation, Sent.) He went his way therefore, and washed, and came seeing. Notice the man didn"™t ask to be healed . The man never even saw Jesus for he was blind. He simply heard the Word ,obeyed and was healed.
Psalm 107: 107:20 He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions. 107:21 Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!
9:8 The neighbours therefore, and they which before had seen him that he was blind, said, Is not this he that sat and begged? 9:9 Some said, This is he: others said, He is like him: but he said, I am he. 9:10 Therefore said they unto him, How were thine eyes opened? 9:11 He answered and said, A man that is called Jesus made clay, and anointed mine eyes, and said unto me, Go to the pool of Siloam, and wash: and I went and washed, and I received sight. 9:12 Then said they unto him, Where is he? He said, I know not.
The neighbors was wondering what had happened. It amazes me that the neighbors are not jumping up and down and praising God. Instead they brought him to the Pharisees. Have you ever seen such blindness and hardness of heart. We would have the media right there on the spot.
9:13 They brought to the Pharisees him that aforetime was blind. 9:14 And it was the sabbath day when Jesus made the clay, and opened his eyes. OK ..there is the problem. It was done on the Sabbath. 9:15 Then again the Pharisees also asked him how he had received his sight. He said unto them, He put clay upon mine eyes, and I washed, and do see. 9:16 Therefore said some of the Pharisees, This man is not of God, because he keepeth not the sabbath day. Others said, How can a man that is a sinner do such miracles? And there was a division among them. OK "¦we have a difference of opinion. Some are whole heartedly staying with church tradition while others are looking at the miracle. And the question of the hour"¦.Can a sinnerperform a miracle?
9:17 They say unto the blind man again, What sayest thou of him, that he hath opened thine eyes? He said, He is a prophet. 9:18 But the Jews did not believe concerning him, that he had been blind, and received his sight, until they called the parents of him that had received his sight. 9:19 And they asked them, saying, Is this your son, who ye say was born blind? how then doth he now see? 9:20 His parents answered them and said, We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind: 9:21 But by what means he now seeth, we know not; or who hath opened his eyes, we know not: he is of age; ask him: he shall speak for himself. 9:22 These words spake his parents, because they feared the Jews: for the Jews had agreed already, that if any man did confess that he was Christ, he should be put out of the synagogue. Wow I was wondering where this scripture was "¦.that if one confessed Christ he were kicked out of the synagogue; which was a big deal. For under the law the went through a lot of God given ordinances in the synagogue. So the boy is going to have to testify himself. 9:23 Therefore said his parents, He is of age; ask him. 9:24 Then again called they the man that was blind, and said unto him, Give God the praise: we know that this man is a sinner. 9:25 He answered and said, Whether he be a sinner or no, I know not: one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see. Amen and Amen, many of us have quoted that line as we sang Amazing Grace. We really can"™t explain all the details but as the young man said."¯ I once was blind but now I see."¯
9:26 Then said they to him again, What did he to thee? how opened he thine eyes? 9:27 He answered them, I have told you already, and ye did not hear: wherefore would ye hear it again? will ye also be his disciples? 9:28 Then they reviled him, and said, Thou art his disciple; but we are Moses' disciples. 9:29 We know that God spake unto Moses: as for this fellow, we know not from whence he is. 9:30 The man answered and said unto them, Why herein is a marvellous thing, that ye know not from whence he is, and yet he hath opened mine eyes. 9:31 Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth.
Verse 31 is a very powerful verse"¦.God does not hear sinners. He hears worshippers of God and doers of the Word. A very powerful lesson in how to get your prayers answered. We should all take heed.
9:32 Since the world began was it not heard that any man opened the eyes of one that was born blind. 9:33 If this man were not of God, he could do nothing. The end of a short but powerful message from an infant in the Lord. And his persecution shall soon follow. Children of darkness hate the truth.John3:20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
9:34 They answered and said unto him, Thou wast altogether born in sins, and dost thou teach us? And they cast him out. The Pharisee cast him out of the place where he was at. 9:35 Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when he had found him, he said unto him, Dost thou believe on the Son of God? I wonder how Jesus knew he was cast out? My friend"¦"¦Jesus knows every sparrow that falls. He knows the number of hairs on your heads. And he also hears the cry of the broken heart. Psalm 51:The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.
9:36 He answered and said, Who is he, Lord, that I might believe on him? 9:37 And Jesus said unto him, Thou hast both seen him, and it is he that talketh with thee. 9:38 And he said, Lord, I believe. And he worshipped him. Notice, like God "¦Jesus accepts worship. 9:39 And Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind. 9:40 And some of the Pharisees which were with him heard these words, and said unto him, Are we blind also? 9:41 Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth.
Folks, we too must not have a know it all attitude but be ready daily to ask the Lord for sight; admitting that we too are blind without Him. If Christ felt a need to pray often and long, how much more we need the light of God in our daily lives.
Sorry for the long study but this is one we can cut up.
Brother Chuck
Brother Chuck, I have always been amazed that so many people even after the miracles Christ performed were blind to the fact that Christ, the Son of God stood before them and they denied him.
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The Tazman aka Martin Price
Proud father of a Devil Dog
Taz,
The truth of the matter is ,is that He still stands before them and they still deny Him. But like you and I ....we needed our eyes open. Taz, in all sincerity my life has changed a 180 . My thoughts have gotten purer. Love has not been a work lately but an over flow of His Spirit. This forum with all it's round about lessons have changed my life. I know Him again just like I did when I was 1 day old. I feel like a baby Christian all over again but with a tool box of wisdom this time so I won't blow it as easy. Love is certainly the way to go. 1John 4:18 b "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear. Each day seeems to get richer and richer. My joy remains. Love breaks down walls that were once there. Yesterday in class we had to tell who our favorite person is. The eyes opened wide when I said Jesus. He truly is my best friend.
Chuck
Brother, there is tons of truth in this lesson for those who are looking for truth. Jesus received worship.
Psalms 86:9-10 All nations whom thou hast made shall come and worship before thee, O Lord; and shall glorify thy name.
Verse 10, For thoe art great, and doest wondrous things: thou art God alone.
Duet 4:35 Know that the Lord he is God: there is none else beside him.
1 Kings 8:60 know that the Lord is God, and that there is none else.
Paul asked, "who art thou Lord", and the Lord answered, "I am Jesus whom thou persecuteth".
Ex 34:14 For thou shalt worship no other God.
Matt 4:10 Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
Yeah,
I used this verse once when a J.Witness man tried to tell me tha tJesus did not recieve worship. Sure enough though....in their Bible it says something else.
Chuck
yea brother, the 5 man translation committe that did the translating for the WatchTower Society, N. W. Knoor, F, W. Frentz, A. D. Schroeder, G. D. Gangas, and M. Henschel, Made more than one error in their work.
A passage that they cannot deal with is John 2:18-22. Jesus said that he would raise his body from death. They firmly believe that only God Almighty has power to raise the dead. They only believe Jesus to be a lesser god. To admit that Jesus could and would raise the temple of his body after 3 days is to admit that Jesus is The Almighty God. The next chance to witness to them, lay a little foundation for the infallable word, then go to John and let them read it for themselves. Proceed to give some scripture to reinforce what they have just read from the bible. Most find an excuse to cut the visit very short and you seldom have them back for a second visit.
Chuck this chapter contains one of my favorite verses in the Bible
30The man answered, "Now that is remarkable! You don't know where he comes from, yet he opened my eyes. 31We know that God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the godly man who does his will. 32Nobody has ever heard of opening the eyes of a man born blind. 33If this man were not from God, he could do nothing."
To para-phrase it a bit if you don't mind.
Can you imigine a middle aged farmer in cover-alls, blind from birth, no formal education (no brail back then).
He is questioned by the "wise" men.
They ask a question thatwas plain even to a blind man.
The farmer is so flabergasted the he looks at them(he isn't blind anymore) and say's "WELL! if that don't beat ALL!
Ya'll say this fellow is a lair.
Even a kid knows full well God don't help no liar!
You are "wise" and you don't even know this?????????
Thanks
Mr-Pirk
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A proud owner of a Flying Vee. Bestowed by the fine Gentleman VC1111 himself.
Very nice Mr. Pirk!!
I like that. I can relate to those dirty blue jean type folks...that's me. On Saturday and Sunday I like look like a typical hillbilly aroung the house.
Chuck
John 9 The Healing of the Blind Man
