John 9:1-34
Today's Passage: John 9:1-34
John 9 shares the story of a man blind from birth. In this single story, John ties together Jesus’ teaching from chapter 8 in some really neat ways.
First and foremost, John 8 records Jesus’ proclamation, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” Coming upon a man who cannot see, the disciples asked Jesus, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus answered that this blindness wasn’t a product of sin, “but that the works of God might be displayed in him… As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”
As we continue reading the story of the blind man, we’ll see that it was only the blind man that truly sees—putting into action Jesus’ words from chapter 8, “The truth will set you free.”
One thing that really stands out in chapter 9 is how many questions everyone is asking. In fact, we learn a lot by examining those questions. The story kicks off with the disciples asking a question. Note that Jesus doesn’t rebuke their question or even suggest it’s not a good one. In some ways, I think we assume Jesus shakes his head in disappointment when the disciples open their mouth, but that’s not the case here.
The next questions come after the man is healed. The neighbors ask questions: “Is this not the man who used to sit and beg?”, “Then how were your eyes opened?”, “Where is he?”
Once the Pharisees enter the picture, their questions take a different turn: “How can a man who is a sinner do such signs?”, “What do you say about him, since he has opened your eyes?”, “Is this your son, who you say was born blind? How then does he now see?”, “What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?” The Pharisees acknowledge that something happened, even going so far as to question the man’s parents to confirm the miracle. Yet, notice their first question, they disbelieved in Jesus from the first moment. They had no idea who Jesus was or how he healed this man—all they knew was that they disagreed. They had no answers, only conclusions drawn from their own blindness.
Then, the formerly blind man asks the key question, “I have told you already, and you would not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you also want to become his disciples?” Although the blind man was mocking at this point, his question is a good one. Do you want to be a disciple? Of course, the proud Pharisees answered him, “You were born in utter sin, and would you teach us?” The obvious answer is that “Yes, he could teach the Pharisees something,” however, they asked the question rhetorically.
The Pharisees were blind claiming sight. The man who could now see saw the limits to his vision. Jesus was the Light of the world and the man born blind knew he couldn’t comprehend it. The Pharisees simply ignored it.
What kinds of questions is your heart seeking to answer? Is it searching to unpack the unsearchable mysteries, like the disciples? Are you questioning to find Jesus like the neighbors? Are you questioning God’s character or power? Or are you asking those around you if they want to be a disciple of Jesus, like the man born blind?
What is your question today?
Written By: Tyler Short
John 9 shares the story of a man blind from birth. In this single story, John ties together Jesus’ teaching from chapter 8 in some really neat ways.
First and foremost, John 8 records Jesus’ proclamation, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” Coming upon a man who cannot see, the disciples asked Jesus, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus answered that this blindness wasn’t a product of sin, “but that the works of God might be displayed in him… As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”
As we continue reading the story of the blind man, we’ll see that it was only the blind man that truly sees—putting into action Jesus’ words from chapter 8, “The truth will set you free.”
One thing that really stands out in chapter 9 is how many questions everyone is asking. In fact, we learn a lot by examining those questions. The story kicks off with the disciples asking a question. Note that Jesus doesn’t rebuke their question or even suggest it’s not a good one. In some ways, I think we assume Jesus shakes his head in disappointment when the disciples open their mouth, but that’s not the case here.
The next questions come after the man is healed. The neighbors ask questions: “Is this not the man who used to sit and beg?”, “Then how were your eyes opened?”, “Where is he?”
Once the Pharisees enter the picture, their questions take a different turn: “How can a man who is a sinner do such signs?”, “What do you say about him, since he has opened your eyes?”, “Is this your son, who you say was born blind? How then does he now see?”, “What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?” The Pharisees acknowledge that something happened, even going so far as to question the man’s parents to confirm the miracle. Yet, notice their first question, they disbelieved in Jesus from the first moment. They had no idea who Jesus was or how he healed this man—all they knew was that they disagreed. They had no answers, only conclusions drawn from their own blindness.
Then, the formerly blind man asks the key question, “I have told you already, and you would not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you also want to become his disciples?” Although the blind man was mocking at this point, his question is a good one. Do you want to be a disciple? Of course, the proud Pharisees answered him, “You were born in utter sin, and would you teach us?” The obvious answer is that “Yes, he could teach the Pharisees something,” however, they asked the question rhetorically.
The Pharisees were blind claiming sight. The man who could now see saw the limits to his vision. Jesus was the Light of the world and the man born blind knew he couldn’t comprehend it. The Pharisees simply ignored it.
What kinds of questions is your heart seeking to answer? Is it searching to unpack the unsearchable mysteries, like the disciples? Are you questioning to find Jesus like the neighbors? Are you questioning God’s character or power? Or are you asking those around you if they want to be a disciple of Jesus, like the man born blind?
What is your question today?
Written By: Tyler Short
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