Jesus healed the man, of course, but in an interesting manner. It was a common jewish belief at that time that all suffering and disabilities were a result of sin, but jesus reminded them that the mans blindness was for gods glory as. Option 3 this graphic set includes jpeg images of all slides in both standard and wide resolution. Im talking about spiritual blindnessand we were all born into that. While we laugh at the picture, others prefer to do this with spiritual truththey refuse to see it, hear it, or speak of it. Those who admit their spiritual blindness can find sight in jesus.
But what stood out for me this week was the discussion of blindness its causes, its cures and whose blindness remains. The bible links blindness to a lack of understanding. John 9 commentary spurgeons verse expositions of the bible. We will concern ourselves, in these articles, with his primary lesson in chapter nine.
Jesus and the disciples see the man, blind from birth and the disciples want to know whose fault his blindness is. Oh, i dont mean that you were born into physical blindness. That was the question that the pharisees asked jesus after he healed the blind man jn. The early church might face attacks from the jewish community. Then jesus told him, i have come into the world to give sight to those who are spiritually blind and to show those who think. In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of christ, who is the image of god, should shine unto them. He used this sign to illustrate mans spiritual blindness john 7. His neighbors would have shunned him out of fear of having the religious police target them. John 9 new revised standard version nrsv a man born blind receives sight. Spiritual sight and blindness new covenant baptist church. In this bible study jesus gives light and life to the spiritually blind when they believe, john 7, 8, 9. Childrens sermon on spiritual blindness lectionary. The scripture about the man who said he once was blind but now could see john 9. Feb 07, 2007 i want to talk to you this morning about how you were made to see.
John 9 explores the question of whether one is blind who cannot physically, or is one more blind if he cannot see spiritually. John 9 niv jesus heals a man born blind as he bible gateway. Near decapolis, some people brought jesus a deaf man who could hardly talk. Turn to john 9 and let us look at the sixth sign performed by jesus. That mans physical blindness is symbolic of the spiritual blindness that all of us are born with. John 9 new international version niv jesus heals a man born blind 9 as he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. Jesus came to give sight to the spiritually blind 9. To stay in spiritual blindness, insist that you see on your own and thus have no need for the savior. He did this on the sabbath which upset the religious leaders.
Not only would he see with his eyes, but he would also come to a clear spiritual view of christ. With spiritual blindness, there are no other senses to compensate, and even if there were, the nature of it is such that it would do them no good. Anyone who does not have the spirit of christ does not belong to him romans 8. However, he moves from physical blindness to physical sight to spiritual insight. Jan 02, 2020 the cause of spiritual blindness is made quite clear in the scriptures. After jesus heals a man born blind on the sabbath, the pharisees attack the man and jesus. Although it is the same greek word root in each verse, judgejudgment can mean condemn john 3. First, there is a lesson on the nature of spiritual blindness 9. Jesus had been in a confrontation with the religious leaders at the temple during the feast of tabernacles. There are many causes for spiritual blindness such as satan, pride, ignorance, following blind guides, caring what others think, and more.
Although god is working all around us, pursuing us and showing us his glory, some people cannot perceive his divine workings acts 28. Spiritual blindness option 1 this powerpoint contains all standard resolution 4. Option 2 this powerpoint includes all wide resolution 16. But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost. Spiritual blindness john 9 gospel of grace fellowship. In this sermon we look at how jesus healed the blind man, and both the progression of faith, and the progression of apostasy. Spiritually blind people may have perfect physical vision, but they cannot see all that god has made available to them through his grace. John 9 niv jesus heals a man born blind as he bible. In the beginning he knew that a man called jesus had healed him v. The only solution to spiritual blindness desiring god. Below are some preliminary questions to assist in the study of this passage. The miracle in john chapter nine sets the tone for two important lessons jesus wanted to teach. John s account of the healing of the man born blind is certainly a sign, for it points to jesus the healer and light of the world.
The cure for spiritual blindness wakefield valley bible church. A careful study of john 9 reveals that there were several blind people in this story. The key to the answer of why spiritually dead, spiritually blind people who can only be rescued by a divine miracle, the key is to see that this blindness and deadness is willful. Physical blindness is bad, but spiritual blindness is worse. What was the meaning of jesus spitting in some of his healings. Spiritual blindness is a condition that an individual has when they are unable to see god, or understand his message. Division verses 16 a division arose among the people in our bible passage today from john 9, when we find that the blind man who. Jesus answered, neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents. Show the children a pair of dark welding goggles and let them try them on. John 9 new international version niv jesus heals a man born blind. The conflict and debate that had been carried on indirectly through the man born blind is now summarized. Every one of us is born with a sin nature that leads us, as soon as we have the opportunity to choose, to actually make the choice to sin.
Second, he issues a warning about false spiritual shepherds 10. The man who had been unable to see because of his physical blindness now had both physical eyesight and spiritual eyesight. Jesus recognized this spiritual need and offered a physical action as a means of raising their. In france, some years ago, there lived a poor, blind gir. Spiritual blindness is the greatest bondage there is. The man who was born blind and healed by jesus confronts a situation where the religious leaders threaten to cast out anyone who confessed.
Think of ray charles, stevie wonder, ronnie milsap, andrea bocelli, and diane schuur. When you have an eye exam you are given a glaucoma. This is our 29th sermon on a series from the gospel of john. In the bible blindness and darkness are often pictures of those who lack spiritual understanding and are incapable of. In this message covering john 9, pastor harry li reads the chapter like a play with six acts, each serving as poignant reminders of the dangers of hypocrisy both as believers and unbelievers. On a global perspective, the biggest problem the church faces today is blindness to what jesus christ has done.
Being spiritually blind, they are perishing 2 corinthians 4. In the united states, we have been blessed to see people overcome blindness with their talents and achieve fame. Spiritual blindness most people are familiar with the picture of the three monkeys, and these boys express the same thing. Christians who have not come to the revelation of grace are still blind. The light has shone and it has created division between those who come to it and those who shrink back compare especially 3. Michael heiser why does jesus use clay to heal a blind man john 9. I was reading this week in kind of a random fashion, and i came across an interesting little account. There is a man mentioned in john 9 who was born blind, but when jesus arrived on the scene, this blind mans life drastically changed. That is to say, their sin was not the cause of his blindness. He had claimed to be god and messiah, which claims provoked the jews into a murderous frenzy. The pharisees were to blame for their spiritual blindness because they refused to accept the truth. John 9 jesus heals a man born blind 1 as he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. Lets open the bible to mark chapter 8 mark chapter 8. John 9 niv bible as he went along, he saw a man blind.
John bedingfield i read a story the other day about two blind men who had. Jesus heard that the jewish leaders had kicked this man out of the temple, which was a serious matter in that society. Describe the procedure by which jesus bestowed sight upon this blind beggar. Jesus said, for judgment i came into this world, that those who do not see may see, and those who see may become blind v. Home bible studies john john 9 these small group studies of john contain outlines, crossreferences, bible study discussion questions, and applications. Furthermore, this man becomes a living parable of our need to receive spiritual sight and enlightenment from the lord. When youre spiritually blind you cant see christ because you hardened your heart and wont come to the knowledge of the truth. Certainly, jesus, the divine son of god, does not need physical props to work miracles.
John bedingfield i read a story the other day about two blind men who had both been healed by. In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of christ, who is the image of god 2 corinthians 4. Visit our library of inductive bible studies for more in depth inductive studies on this and other books of the bible you can use in your small group. Ive been waiting with baited breath to pick up the story where we left it off in chapter 8, verse 10. As we move on in john 9, he demonstrates his deity with some miraculous works and in the process reveals the spiritual blindness of many. We are all born into spiritual blindness from birth. Jan 12, 2020 bible verses about spiritual blindness. Chapter 9 jesus, on the sabbath, heals a man born blindthe jews accuse him of sabbath violationhe lectures them on spiritual blindness. Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, and when he found him, he said, do you believe in the son of man. When they sarcastically retort, we are not blind too, are we. At the same time as it contrasts physical blindness that can be healed, with spiritual blindness that cannot. Jesus came to render decisions about the ungodly because the father had given him that authority john 5. Seeing willful blindness in the story of the healing of the blind man, the willfully blind refuse to believe the truth about jesus even when confronted with irrefutable proof.
At the end, jesus rebuked the pharisees for their spiritual blindness. Spiritual blindness, the gospel awakening, dwight lyman. In this study you will discover how bad theology affects a persons judgment about spiritual truths and how to avoid spiritual blindness. This story from john s gospel is long and detailed. Jesus came to give sight to the spiritually blind, but also to bring those who think they see without him to judgment. Johns account of the healing of the man born blind is certainly a sign, for it points to jesus the healer and light of the world. When youre spiritually blind you cant see christ because you hardened. Ever since adam and eve brought sin into this world, everyone who has ever been born was born into sin. With physical blindness other senses can compensate so that the person can still get around and live. Sep 14, 2015 in this message covering john 9, pastor harry li reads the chapter like a play with six acts, each serving as poignant reminders of the dangers of hypocrisy both as believers and unbelievers. Spiritual blindness is a grievous condition experienced by those who do not believe in god, jesus christ, and his word romans 2. And as jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth. These are the mules that work all the week down in the mine.
May 31, 2017 jacob asked, well, then, how is it that we are responsible and liable to gods judgment if were blind and can only be saved from our blindness by god. Mar 15, 2020 night is coming when no one can work john 9. Just like the man in the above scripture who was born physically without visual sight from birth and was in complete and total darkness, so are we and so was i. Few biblical stories illustrate this fact better than the story of the man born blind in. A gentleman, in passing a coal mine in pennsylvania, saw a field full of mules. Then jesus told him, i have come into the world to give sight to those who are spiritually blind and to show those who think they see that they are blind. The jews have thrown out the man and thus have also. And his disciples asked him, saying, master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind.