To the Blind, He Gives Sight

1. Read: John 9:1-3

2. About the Text:

1) While walking down the road, the apostles come across a blind man.

2) They ask why this man was born blind.

i. The philosophy of the day was if something was wrong, then either you or someone you know did something wrong to merit your problem.

ii. Jesus rejects this philosophy and says that there is a greater purpose at work here.

3) Jesus says that this man was born blind to show the works of God.

4) Let us study together, “To the Blind, He Gives Sight!”

3. Ref. to S, T, P, O, and A.

1. Read John 9:6, 7

i. Jesus knew that he could heal this blind man.

ii. Jesus made clay out of his own spittle and anointed the man’s eyes.

iii. He told the blind man to go wash in the pool of Siloam, and he went.

2. The blind need to see today as well!

i. The blind are those who are in sin/darkness. “And I will bring distress upon men, that they shall walk like blind men, because they have sinned against the LORD: and their blood shall be poured out as dust, and their flesh as the dung” (Zephaniah 1:17).

ii. God has promised to “Open the eyes” of the blind.

1) God prophesied through Isaiah that the blind would see. “Thus saith God the LORD, he that created the heavens, and stretched them out; he that spread forth the earth, and that which cometh out of it; he that giveth breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein: I the LORD have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles; To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house.” (Isaiah 42:5-7).

2) This prophecy is quoted throughout the New Testament as being fulfilled in Jesus Christ. (Luke 2:32, Acts 13:47; Acts 26:23).

iii. Jesus IS the light of the world and those who are blind today may see through his power! “Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life” (John 8:12).

3. Are you someone who needs to see today?

1. Read John 9:3-5

i. Jesus came to manifest the works of God, and show His authority over all things.

ii. This one miracle alone proved that he was the Son of God, and divine.

iii. He is THE one, true, light of the world.

2. Jesus is the only one who has authority today as well.

i. “Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Phil.2:9-11).

ii. “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12).

iii. “And Jesus came to them and spake unto them, saying, all authority hath been given unto me in heaven and on earth. Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.” (Matthew 28:18-20).

3. Do you recognize the power to see in this great name?

1. Read John 9:8-34

i. The neighbors ask about him, and take him to the Pharisees.

ii. He tells them what happened.

iii. He says that Jesus is a prophet, is heard by God, and worships God.

2. Those who have been blind and now see WANT to tell others of the work of God.

i. The apostle Paul recognized this.

1) “For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth.” (Acts 13:47).

2) “But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee; Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.” (Acts 26:16-18).

ii. The apostle John recognized this.

1) “In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.” (John 1:4, 5).

2) “That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” (John 1:9-13).

3. Do you want to tell others how Christ helped you to see?

1. Read John 9:35-38

i. The blind man who now sees is found by Jesus.

ii. Jesus asks him if he believes on the Christ.

iii. The former blind man wanted to know who he was so he could believe.

iv. Jesus said it was him.

v. The former blind man said that he believed, and then worshipped him.

2. Those today who have accepted Christ’s will in their lives were formerly blind, but now they see and they seek to believe and worship the Christ as His people.

i. They are the holy nation of God. “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” (1 Peter 2:9).

ii. They are His kingdom. “Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son.” (Colossians 1:13).

iii. The kingdom is the church. “And I say also unto thee, that thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven . . . .” (Matthew 16:18,19).

iv. This is where God is glorified today! “Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.” (Ephesians 3:21).

3. Is your fellowship with the blind who now see?

1. Read John 9:4

2. Read John 9:39-41

i. Jesus spoke of the night that is coming.

ii. There will be no more work for Him in that night.

iii. He spoke of those who refuse to accept sight from him.

iv. He came to judge them.

1) That they which see may not see.

2) That they which see may be blind.

3. There is a night coming for those who remain in blindness today.

i. These are the blind who lead the blind. ” Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.” (Matthew 15:14).

ii. They claim to “see” now, but they do not see. “For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.” (Matthew 13:15, Acts 28:27).

iii. These will end up in a place of utter darkness where there will no longer be any sight.

1) “And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” Matthew 25:30.

2) “These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever.” (2 Peter 2:17).

4. Do not be caught blind at His coming! He gives sight. Will you receive it today?

1. To the Blind He Gives Sight because there is

i. A Need

ii. A Name

iii. A Notion

iv. A Nation

v. A Night

2. Invitation