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As we move into chapter 9 of John’s gospel, we are introduced to a man that is blind. Now, I can’t imagine what life would be like without sight. Just needing glasses is frustrating enough! The gift of sight. The ability to see...what a blessing from God. As we examine this passage, Jesus is going to show us that we need to see with more than just our eyes.

Jesus had just used the lighting of the huge lamps in the temple to point to fact that He was the light of the world. Now, He is going to show that He is the giver of light. This man has been living in darkness from the time he was born but things are about to change. Jesus not only gives this man physical sight in order to see, but spiritual sight as well. I want to give you 3 statements that I hope will help us see how this man will live in the light for eternity.

1. The Intervention. [9:1-12]

In verse 1 John writes, “As Jesus walked along, He saw a man blind from birth.”  Being born blind in the first century would have been dramatically different than being born blind today. (No seeing eye dog, no brail books, no special services, etc.) This man is in daily need of intervention just to survive. Jesus sees him, and John says, He decides to do a miracle in his life that will be the foundation for teaching spiritual truth.

A. Birth defects are not punishment from God. Notice what the disciples ask Jesus in verse 2, “Who sinned?”

B. God’s love for man is seen in the fact that He sent His Son to teach us of our greatest need. Jesus demonstrates God’s love by physically healing this man. (If He were punishing him or his parents He would leave as he is.)

C. Obedience to the Word of God brings healing. Look at verse 12, ‘He told me to go...so I went...then I could see.’

Think with me for a moment. Has God ever told someone or implied that he was going to do something for them and then not been able to do it? God told an old man by the name of Abraham he was going to be a father. God told a virgin by the name of Mary that she was going to be a mother.  

Jesus told this blind man that the One sent from God is sending you...go. He went, and God intervened in his life and he was healed because he was obedient. Let me ask us all a question. If obedience brings blessing, and God can do exceedingly more than all we ask or imagine, why would we ever entertain a thought of being disobedient?

2. The Investigation. [9:13-34] 

Next, we read about the investigation. Bible scholars tell us that blindness was not uncommon in the first century, mainly due to sanitary conditions. So when someone had reportedly been healed from being blind that was big news. (A time of celebration...right?)

As I studied this portion of our text I thought, “Lord, we won’t even allow You to do a miracle in our midst unless it meets our criteria.” Now someone being healed of blindness needs to be investigated to insure that God gets the glory...but notice what happens here.

The investigation that begins in verses 8-10 (with family and friends) it becomes more of an interrogation in verses 13-34. Notice how the Pharisees approach this miracle: Jesus healed this man on the wrong day; he must be a sinner because He doesn’t keep the Sabbath. If his parents tell the truth they will be put out of the synagogue.

Now notice how the healed man approaches the miracle: "I was blind, but now I see." He points out that God doesn’t listen to sinners—but He does listen to those who do His will. Also, he says that nobody has ever heard of opening the eyes of a man born blind. If this man (Jesus) were not from God, He could do nothing. It’s as if the healed man is saying to the Pharisees, “Are you blind?”

They were blind. They were blind to the truth because Jesus wasn’t the Messiah they thought He should be. He didn’t fit into their God box. Are we ever guilty of trying to put God into our little box? Our box has many labels. (Version of Scripture, Length of service, Style of music, Style of clothes, Order of service...etc.)

What should have been a time of celebration turned out to be a time of great personal cost to the man that was healed. He was thrown out of the synagogue. (Public shame...again)

3. The Invitation. [9:35-41]

It’s as if Jesus is saying here, “I intervened in your life, the investigation led you understand that God was the initiator of it all, and now He invites you to believe in His Son and experience eternal life.”

Praise God that verses 36-38 tell us that we will meet this man in Heaven some day.

Jesus finishes this text by pointing out that some who think they see are blind and some that are spiritually blind will come to see Jesus as Savior and Lord. The question is simple, “Which group will you be in?”

God has already intervened in your life. He did that at Calvary over 2000 years ago. Where has the investigation of that event led you? Maybe you’re like the Pharisees, “Jesus doesn’t fit your idea of who you want God to be.” Maybe you’re like the blind man. The invitation is still open to all who want to come.