Seeing Jesus: A Journey from Blindness to Faith
Summary
In our journey through the Gospel of John during this Lenten season, we have explored the divinity of Jesus and His offer of salvation. Today, we delve into John chapter 9, where we encounter a profound miracle: a man born blind receives his sight. This story is not just about physical healing but a revelation of God's glory and a deeper understanding of who Jesus is.
The disciples' initial question reflects a common belief of the time, equating physical ailments with sin. Jesus, however, refutes this notion, emphasizing that the man's blindness serves to display God's works. Jesus' act of healing—using mud made from His saliva—symbolizes a transformative encounter with the divine. The man, once blind, now sees, and his testimony evolves from acknowledging Jesus as a healer to recognizing Him as the Son of Man and worshiping Him as Lord.
This narrative invites us to reflect on our spiritual journey. Like the blind man, we may start with a limited understanding of Jesus, but through encounters with Him, our vision and testimony can deepen. The story challenges us to seek fresh revelations of God, not relying solely on past experiences but continually growing in faith. It reminds us that our spiritual sight can be clouded by misconceptions or complacency, and we must pray for clarity and renewed vision.
The transformation of the blind man parallels the conversion of Saul to Paul, illustrating how encounters with Jesus can radically change our lives. Just as Saul's physical and spiritual blindness was healed, we too can experience new life in Christ. This transformation is ongoing, inviting us to see the world through God's eyes and share His love with others.
Key Takeaways:
- God's Glory in Our Weakness: The story of the blind man teaches us that our weaknesses and challenges can be opportunities for God's glory to be revealed. Jesus uses the man's blindness to demonstrate His power and divinity, reminding us that our struggles can be a canvas for God's work in our lives. [29:49]
- Transformation Through Encounter: The blind man's journey from physical blindness to spiritual sight illustrates the transformative power of encountering Jesus. Our understanding of God can deepen as we spend time in His presence, moving from knowing about Him to truly knowing Him. [42:16]
- Evolving Testimony: The progression of the blind man's testimony—from recognizing Jesus as a healer to worshiping Him as Lord—encourages us to continually develop our own testimonies. Our faith journey should be dynamic, reflecting ongoing encounters with God that shape and enrich our witness. [42:35]
- Spiritual Sight and Clarity: Just as the blind man received physical sight, we are called to seek spiritual clarity. We must pray for God to remove the scales from our eyes, allowing us to see His work in our lives and the world around us with fresh vision and understanding. [50:09]
- New Creation in Christ: The transformation of the blind man and Saul's conversion remind us that in Christ, we become new creations. Our old ways of seeing and living are replaced with a new perspective, enabling us to experience and share the fullness of life in Christ. [46:49]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [26:17] - Introduction to John Chapter 9
- [27:05] - The Disciples' Question
- [27:19] - Jesus' Response and Healing
- [28:25] - Prayer for Understanding
- [28:58] - Context of the Miracle
- [29:49] - God's Glory Revealed
- [30:27] - The Act of Healing
- [31:27] - The Man's New Sight
- [32:06] - Modern Parallels
- [34:34] - The Man's Testimony
- [36:19] - Evolving Testimony
- [39:27] - The Pharisees' Interrogation
- [41:08] - Recognition of Jesus
- [42:16] - Worship and Belief
- [46:49] - New Creation in Christ
- [50:09] - Prayer for Spiritual Clarity
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- John 9:1-12
- 2 Corinthians 5:17
- Acts 9:1-19
Observation Questions:
1. What was the initial question the disciples asked Jesus about the blind man, and how did Jesus respond to it? ([27:05])
2. Describe the process Jesus used to heal the blind man. What significance might this method have? ([27:19])
3. How did the blind man's neighbors react to his healing, and what did they ask him? ([27:50])
4. How does the blind man's testimony evolve throughout John 9, and what does this suggest about his understanding of Jesus? ([42:16])
Interpretation Questions:
1. What does Jesus' response to the disciples' question about sin and the blind man reveal about the relationship between suffering and God's glory? ([29:49])
2. How does the transformation of the blind man's testimony reflect the process of spiritual growth and understanding in a believer's life? ([42:35])
3. In what ways does the story of Saul's conversion in Acts 9 parallel the healing of the blind man in John 9? What does this suggest about the nature of spiritual transformation? ([49:33])
4. How does the concept of becoming a "new creation" in Christ, as mentioned in 2 Corinthians 5:17, relate to the experiences of both the blind man and Saul? ([46:49])
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt spiritually blind or complacent. What steps can you take to seek a fresh revelation of God in your life? ([38:21])
2. The blind man's testimony evolved as he encountered Jesus. How can you actively seek to deepen your understanding and testimony of Jesus in your daily life? ([42:16])
3. Consider the challenges or weaknesses in your life. How might these be opportunities for God's glory to be revealed, as seen in the story of the blind man? ([29:49])
4. Saul's conversion was a radical transformation. Are there areas in your life where you need a similar transformation? What practical steps can you take to invite Jesus into those areas? ([49:33])
5. The sermon emphasized the importance of ongoing spiritual growth. What specific practices can you incorporate into your routine to ensure your faith journey remains dynamic and evolving? ([38:36])
6. How can you cultivate spiritual clarity and vision in your life, ensuring that you see God's work with fresh eyes? Consider practical ways to remove any "scales" that might be clouding your spiritual sight. ([50:09])
7. Identify someone in your life who might be spiritually blind or seeking. How can you share your testimony or the love of Christ with them this week? ([53:21])
Devotional
Day 1: God's Glory in Our Weakness
In John chapter 9, the story of the man born blind reveals a profound truth: our weaknesses and challenges can be opportunities for God's glory to be displayed. Jesus refutes the common belief that physical ailments are a direct result of sin, instead emphasizing that the man's blindness serves to showcase God's works. Through this miracle, Jesus demonstrates His power and divinity, reminding us that our struggles can become a canvas for God's transformative work in our lives. This narrative encourages us to view our own weaknesses not as burdens but as potential avenues for God's glory to shine through. [29:49]
"But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me." (2 Corinthians 12:9, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of weakness in your life where you can invite God to reveal His glory today?
Day 2: Transformation Through Encounter
The journey of the blind man from physical blindness to spiritual sight illustrates the transformative power of encountering Jesus. Initially, the man recognizes Jesus as a healer, but through his experience, he comes to see Jesus as the Son of Man and worships Him as Lord. This transformation highlights the potential for our understanding of God to deepen as we spend time in His presence. It challenges us to move beyond merely knowing about God to truly knowing Him through personal encounters and experiences. [42:16]
"And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit." (2 Corinthians 3:18, ESV)
Reflection: How can you create space in your daily routine to encounter Jesus more deeply and allow Him to transform your understanding of who He is?
Day 3: Evolving Testimony
The progression of the blind man's testimony—from acknowledging Jesus as a healer to worshiping Him as Lord—serves as an encouragement for us to continually develop our own testimonies. Our faith journey should be dynamic, reflecting ongoing encounters with God that shape and enrich our witness. This evolving testimony invites us to share our experiences of God's work in our lives, encouraging others and glorifying God through our stories. [42:35]
"But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect." (1 Peter 3:15, ESV)
Reflection: What recent experience of God's work in your life can you share with someone this week to encourage them in their faith journey?
Day 4: Spiritual Sight and Clarity
Just as the blind man received physical sight, we are called to seek spiritual clarity. Our spiritual vision can be clouded by misconceptions or complacency, and we must pray for God to remove the scales from our eyes. This allows us to see His work in our lives and the world around us with fresh vision and understanding. Seeking spiritual clarity involves a willingness to let go of preconceived notions and to be open to new revelations of God's truth. [50:09]
"Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law." (Psalm 119:18, ESV)
Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to ask God for spiritual clarity and a fresh perspective today?
Day 5: New Creation in Christ
The transformation of the blind man and Saul's conversion remind us that in Christ, we become new creations. Our old ways of seeing and living are replaced with a new perspective, enabling us to experience and share the fullness of life in Christ. This transformation is ongoing, inviting us to see the world through God's eyes and to share His love with others. Embracing our identity as new creations in Christ empowers us to live out our faith with boldness and authenticity. [46:49]
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." (2 Corinthians 5:17, ESV)
Reflection: What is one old habit or mindset you need to let go of to fully embrace your identity as a new creation in Christ?
Quotes
"As he went along he saw a man blind from birth his disciples asked him 'Rabbi who sinned this man or his parents that he was born blind?' 'Neither this man nor his parents sinned,' said Jesus 'but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.'" [00:27:05]
"Jesus quickly rebuffs them and he says neither his parents nor uh he sinned he says this man was born blind so that the glory of God may be shown in him and so that's that's the setup here and we want you I need you to understand that God will work in this man's life to bring glory to God." [00:29:49]
"His friends who knew him his his you know people in the neighborhood or whatever they knew him and they look at him and they're like 'Isn't that him that was used to beg because he was blind?' And somebody says 'Well he kind of looks like him.' Or somebody says 'Well I don't know that I don't think that's him.' But he has to testify 'Yes it's me I am the man.'" [00:36:50]
"Some of you have lightning bolt um stories of conversion and some of you have crock-pot stories of uh of conversion u some of you uh have this moment where you can point to and you say this is where God slapped me over the head and said done with that do something new in Christ and you have that moment and you can tell it." [00:37:40]
"Part of our story part of our witness to the world is that there may be a moment in time where everything changed but God is calling us to grow and to stretch and to know more about him and to deepen and uh and and know more about who he is and be nuanced in our testimony." [00:37:50]
"Jesus shows us his divinity in this particular chapter through these miracles through signs including and this is key for us including the miracle of letting us understand more of who he is we cannot understand God fully but God gives us insight and wisdom and knowledge and gives us bigger and bigger pictures of who he is over the course of our lives." [00:43:42]
"Saul's scales fell off his eyes because he was blind even though he could see he was blind to the work of God through Christ in the world that was beginning to happen all he could see was that this was outside the norm and he needed to squash it but when Jesus encountered him on that road everything changed." [00:49:33]
"When Jesus encountered the man born blind that day in Jerusalem everything changed for that man I once was blind but now I see Paul once was physically able to see but blind to what God was doing and now he is no longer spiritually blind but he can see again physically and spiritually and in between both of those stories is Jesus." [00:49:50]
"Jesus is waiting for us to say 'Lord let the scales fall off my eyes.' So today I want to help you uh if maybe for the first time you see what God is doing in your life because the scales are beginning to fall off perhaps perhaps you're in a season of crustiness where maybe there's a little foggess in your vision." [00:50:09]
"Let me pray in just a minute I want you to pray that God will remove that that the scales that the foggess that the blurriness of your vision will fall off so that you can see what the Lord is doing in high definition full technic color everything that he has because the glory of the Lord was made known by this man who was blind from birth and now can see." [00:50:30]
"The glory of the Lord can be made known in your life too as you offer yourself to him fully so that you might see what he is doing and share that with others his testimony was I was blind and now I see there was this man Jesus and he put some mud on my eyes I washed and I could see that was the beginning of his testimony." [00:51:00]
"By the end he is fully worshiping the his Lord and Savior and so today as we pray I invite you to worship the Lord and Savior to have him remove the scales from your eyes so that you might see him full in the face gracious and loving God you are calling us your people you're calling us to this moment in time." [00:51:33]
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