This message explores Jesus’ encounter with the man born blind and His declarations about seeing and not seeing.
(John 9:1-41)
Sermon Outline
“He replied, ‘Whether he is a sinner or not, I don’t know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!’” (John 9:25)
Who Is this Jesus? (John 9:11)
- Jesus claims to be the light of the world (9:5)
- The miracle of sight to the blind
- The miracle during the Feast of Tabernacles
- The miracle on the Sabbath
- The blind man encounters “the man they called Jesus” (9:11)
Is Jesus a Prophet? (John 9:17)
- A prophet who heals
- A prophet who transgresses the rules
Is Jesus from God? (John 9:16, 33)
- The religious leaders claim Jesus is not from God (9:16) but a sinner (9:24)
- An aside about sin and whether sin is the cause of harm (9:1-5)
- The healed man claims Jesus must be from God to do such things (9:30-33)
- An aside about knowing and not knowing
Is Jesus the Son of Man and Lord? (John 9:35, 38)
- The healed man stumbles into the One who healed with divine power (9:35-36)
- The healed man believes Jesus is Son of Man and Lord, worshiping Him (9:37-38)
May the Blind See
- Naming our first blindness: initial repentance and making Jesus our Lord
- Naming our second blindness: second repentance from domesticating God
- Naming Jesus as Lord as we tell our story to others
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
- When have you struggled with your vision, whether after an injury, an eye test, aging, or some other situation. What happened and how did you deal with it?
- This weekend we continue our preaching series, “Look for the Signs,” by exploring John 9:1-41. Begin your study in prayer, asking God to speak through His Word, and then, whether you’re on your own or with a group, read that passage aloud.
- How would you describe the situation which Jesus and His disciples enter into in this episode? Who do they encounter and what happens in the first 7 verses?
- Have you ever struggled with linking sin and physical or emotional harm, like the disciples seem to do in verse 2? How does Jesus address this in verse 3-5? How else is this tough question addressed in other parts of the Bible?
- Background: The backdrop to Jesus’ teaching and actions in John 7-9 is the Jewish Feast of Tabernacles, or Sukkot (Leviticus 23:33-43; Deuteronomy 16:13-15). The Pool of Siloam where the blind man experiences healing is the pool where water was drawn at the beginning of one part of the festival, while Scripture was read or sung: “With joy you will draw waters from the wells of salvation” (Isaiah 12:3).
- How might this symbolism fill in the significance of what the man experiences and revelation of who Jesus is?
- Following his healing, the man born blind experiences a series of conversations that reveal conflict about what has occurred and who Jesus is with others in Jerusalem (8-12), religious leaders (13-34), and his parents (20-23). What do you notice about these conversations?
- This man born blind has an evolving understanding of who Jesus is in this story. What do you notice about his view of Jesus from verses 11, 17, 33, 35-36, and 38?
- What is one thing God is revealing to you through this study? If you’re on your own, write that down, pray over it, and share it with someone this week. If you are with a small group, share your answers with one another before closing in prayer.
DIG DEEPER
- Exploring Faith – Have you ever considered what ‘spiritual blindness’ means? How might spiritual blindness touch your own life in any way?
- Growing in Faith – Using the categories given by the healed man, how would you describe your understanding of Jesus: a man (11), a prophet (17), sent from God (33), the Lord (38)? What would it take to deepen your understanding of Jesus at this time?
- Centered in Faith – As our spiritual life continues we can sometimes grow toward maturity and understanding but other times grow toward cynical control that blinds us. We see this in the religious leaders in this chapter. Pray about whether cynical control has taken root in your life in any way, and ask God to heal you of it, to make you truly able to see with fresh eyes.