João 9
G. Campbell Morgan · Citado em PreceptAustin
João 9
Morgan - Four Rules or Dying When entrusted to God, even sickness can become a tool for his glory. Asked why the man in John 9 was blind, Jesus replied, “This happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life” (NIV). Paul’s illness, though a “thorn” in his flesh, displayed the sufficiency of God’s grace. William Sangster’s four rules for facing illness show us how that happens. Sangster was born in London in 1900 and started attending a Methodist church at age nine. At 13 he became a Christian and immediately began sharing his faith with friends. Three years later he preached his first sermon on February 11, 1917. After stints in the army and in college, he began pastoring a circuit of Methodist churches, working himself to exhaustion, frequently saying, “I just can’t do enough!” His reputation as a powerful preacher and beloved pastor followed him from church to church. In 1939 Sangster assumed leadership of Westminster Central Hall, a Methodist church near London’s Westminster Abbey. During his first worship service he announced to his stunned congregation that Britain and Germany were officially at war. He quickly converted the church basement into an air raid shelter, and for 1,688 nights Sangster ministered to the various needs of all kinds of people. At the same time he somehow managed to write, to preach gripping sermons, to earn a Ph.D., and to lead hundreds to Christ. He became known as Wesley’s successor in London and was esteemed as the most beloved British preacher of his era. After the war Sangster headed Britain’s Methodist home missions department until he was diagnosed with progressive muscular atrophy. For three years he slowly died, becoming progressively more paralyzed, finally able to move only two fingers. But his attitude didn’t falter, for when first learning of his illness, Sangster made four rules for himself. Many people have rules for living. Sangster composed four rules for dying: “I will never complain. I will keep the home bright. I will count my blessings. I will try to turn it to gain.” He did all those things. And thus the work of God was displayed in his life, and God’s strength was made perfect in his weakness. (BORROW On this day : 365 amazing and inspiring stories about saints, martyrs & heroes) "Extraordinary afflictions are not always the punishment of extraordinary sins — but sometimes the trial of extraordinary graces. Christ, who perfectly knew the secret springs of the divine counsels, told them two things concerning such calamities: that they are not always inflicted as punishments of sin — and that they are sometimes intended purely for the glory of God, and the manifesting of His works." Matthew Henry "Afflictions are often the black foils in which God sets the jewels of His children's graces, to make them shine the better. There are some of your graces which would never be discovered, if it were not for your trials. Well, Christian, may not this account for the troubles through which you are passing? Is not the Lord bringing out your graces, and making them grow? Real growth in grace is the result of sanctified trials. The heart of a Christian is Christ's garden, and his graces are as so many sweet spices and flowers, when His Spirit blows upon them, to send forth a sweet savor." Charles Spurgeon "Stars shine brightest in the darkest night. Afflictions ripen the saints' graces. Gold looks the brighter for scouring. Just so, afflictions are but our Father's goldsmiths who are working to add pearls to our crowns. Spices smell sweetest when pounded — and juniper smells sweeter in the fire." Thomas Brooks "Some graces grow best in winter. Grace withers without adversity." Samuel Rutherford "The lowly graces of the Spirit thrive best under crosses." Daniel Rowland "The Lord's jewels need grinding, and cutting, and polishing." R.C. Chapman "Grievous afflictions are not always sent as a scourge for sins committed — but sometimes as preventatives from sins. Paul's thorn prevented his pride." John Leland Jon Courson - Incensed by His claim to deity, the Jews took up stones to throw at Jesus (John 8:59). But not more than a stone’s throw away sat this man whose life was about to change radically and eternally. The disciples voice the foundational question of all suffering: ‘Why?’ And then they give Jesus two possible answers. According to their reasoning, the blindness was the result either of the blind man’s sin or his parents’ sin. ‘The issue is not sin,’ Jesus would explain in verses 3–5. ‘Rather, this man’s misery gives Me opportunity for ministry.’ That’s the way it always is. Misery always opens the door for ministry. If you are going through difficulty, tragedy, sickness, or a hard time, be careful that you don’t become introspective and wonder what you’ve done wrong to deserve it. Just as He did to His disciples, Jesus would say to you today, ‘Sin is not the issue.’ The question is not, ‘Who caused the misery?’ The question is, ‘Will you allow Me to use it? Will you allow Me to demonstrate My glory through it in order that a blind world might see My reality and be made whole?’ (See Jon Courson's Application Commentary) Play this beautiful version (you will be blown away by some of the voices in this rendition!) of John Newton's classic hymn where spiritual blindness by grace becomes sight! Hallelujah! Thank You Jesus, the Light of the world. Amen. Amazing Grace Amazing grace how sweet the sound That saved a wretch like me I once was lost, but now I'm found Was blind but now I see 'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear And grace my fears relieved How precious did that grace appear The hour I first believed Through many dangers, toils, and snares I have already come This grace that brought me safe thus far And grace will lead me home When we've been here ten thousand years Bright, shining as the sun We've no less days to sing God's praise Than when we first begun Amazing grace how sweet the sound That saved a wretch like me I once was lost, but now I'm found Was blind but now I see Play this old gospel song I WAS BLIND BUT NOW I SEE There was a blind man, in a distant land who did not understand God's saving plan till Jesus saw him, had mercy on him, told him to wash and his eyes were opened he washed the clay away, his night was turned to day then he heard a scoffer say, "you can't be healed this way" could you explain to us who is this Jesus? Is he the least of us? What can you tell us? And this is what he said Chorus: though I don't understand I still will stand on this promise I've received and i don't need to know how he made me whole to know i was blind but now i see. I was a blind man in a distant land i did not understand God's saving plan till Jesus found me, put His arms around me, said He'd gone to calvary just to prove He loved me He washed my sins away, my night was turned to day then I heard a scoffer say, "you can't be saved this way" could you explain and tell how you've been spared from hell? And how that all is well? Sounds like a fairy tale. So this is what i said Though i don't understand i still will stand on this promise I've received and i don't need to know how he made me whole to know i was blind but now i see and i don't need to know how he made me whole to know i was blind but not i see i was blind but now i see James Smith - FROM DARKNESS TO LIGHT JOHN 9 “The Light everlasting Unto the blind is not, but is born of the eye that has vision.” —Longfellow. It is worthy of note that it was immediately after Jesus was about to be stoned out of His Father’s house that He manifested His power as the “Light of the World,” by giving a man sight who had been born blind (chap. 8:59). The leading features of this chapter can be easily gathered up as we consider the story of this blind man. There was— I. Blindness. “A man blind from his birth” (Jn 9:1). But this blindness has all the mystery of the origin of sin hanging about it. It was not because he or his parents had sinned in any particularly grievous form that he was born blind, as some of the Jews seemed to teach (Luke 13:2) but “that the works of God should be manifest in him.” This man was born blind that the Son of God might have the opportunity of showing forth His divine power and mercy, and also that the wickedness of their own hearts might be revealed. Was not sin originally permitted to enter the world for the same reason—that the wonderful works of God’s love and grace should be manifest in the incarnation and crucifixion of His Son? In the same way Lazarus was permitted to die, that the glory of God might be seen in raising him from the dead (John 11:4). It is not so much with the mystery of sin and blindness that we have to do as with the fact. II. Deliverance. The method of this man’s salvation was about as strange and my terious as was the cause and origin of the disease. His eyes were anointed with clay made by a spittle, and then he was told to “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (Jn 9:6, 7). There was no virtue in the dust, nor in the spittle, nor in the clay formed, nor in the pool, nor in the washing to unseal the eyes of a man born blind, and to beget in him the gift of vision. All these were in themselves “weak things,” but the eye-opening power lay in his obedience to the Word of Him who spoke as the “Light of the World.” “He went his way therefore, and washed, and came seeing.” The man was not responsible for being born blind, but he was responsible for accepting or rejecting the message of grace and salvation that had come to him by Jesus Christ. If he had despised the means, he would not have been obedient to the Word, and so would have remained in his darkness. The preaching of the Gospel may be like the dust, and the spittle, and the clay to some, but it is not with the preaching, as such, that men have to do, but with Christ’s Word of command, that always accompanies such weak things: “Go, wash!” It is when we believe and obey Him, putting His Word to the test by an actual definite committal, that we “come seeing.” There is now no excuse for spiritual blindness. “He that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life” (Jn 8:12). III. Confession. When the neighbours asked him, “How were thine eyes opened?” (for they were thoroughly convinced that they were opened) his answer was simple and honest: “A man called Jesus made clay, anointed mine eyes, and said, Go wash; and I went, I washed, I received” (Jn 9:8–12). The blind man took no credit to himself in the matter, and is not ashamed to tell out all he knows about it, and that was not much. Like a new-born soul into the Kingdom of God’s dear Son, he is so filled with joyous wonder that he is a mystery to himself. How these eyes must have sparkled with delight as he uttered these most significant words: “I went, and I washed, and I received sight.” He could only tell of the means used; he could not explain how the miracle was wrought. That part belongs to Him who is the Light of the World. The change produced by the brightness of those once blind eyes was so great that they hardly knew him (Jn 9:9). IV. Assurance. “One thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see” (Jn 9:25). He could not, as yet, explain the character of Him who opened his eyes; he knew not whether he was a man who had sinned like others or not (Jn 9:25); neither could he defend himself by argument against those philosophical, unbelieving Pharisees; but one thing he certainly did know, that a man called Jesus had opened his eyes. There are always those that are so perverse in their minds as to suppose that it must have been some other Jesus, and not Jesus Christ, who performed the wonder. There is no gainsaying the fact when a man’s inner eyes have been opened, and when the old things of darkness are passed away, and all things are become new. This is the evidence that a man is in the light of Christ, and that he is a new creature (2 Cor. 2:17). In this new power of vision he has the witness in himself. There is a joyful ring about this “I know.” It is the confidence born of a blessed experience. V. Testimony. Although he knew little about the Man who opened his eyes, his faith in Him was very great. When asked what he thought about Him, he at once answered, “He is a prophet” (Jn 9:17). The man that could work such a miracle on a poor man, without seeking any personal honour or recompense, must have been sent by God. Again, after he had told them how he had been healed, in the warmth of his enthusiasm he added, “Will ye also be His disciples?” (Jn 9:27). Meanwhile there was to him but one Man in all the world, and that was the Man who opened his eyes. He was determined to know nothing among them but Jesus who opened his eyes. His creed was: “If this man were not of God, He could not have done this great thing” (Jn 9:33). It is a sure sign that Jesus Christ has become a blessed Master to that one who is most anxious that others should also become His disciples. The Name of Jesus has little power in our lives if it does not inspire us, fearlessly, to plead with others to trust and follow Him. VI. Persecution. “They reviled him” (Jn 9:28). “They cast him out” (Jn 9:34). They could not bear his testimony, so they reproached and mocked him. They could not bear his company, so they cast him out of the synagogue. He speedily gained the marks of a “blessed man” in being “hated” and “separated.” For our Lord Himself hath said, “Blessed are ye when men shall hate you … and separate you from their company … for the Son of Man’s sake” (Luke 6:22). It is easier for the enemies of the truth to revile than to refute. In casting out the humble believer in Jesus, they cast away their own credit as honest men. Any one of them would have been as devoted to Jesus as he was if they had been born blind, and in the same way received sight. But it seems almost impossible for an ungodly man to think himself into the Christian position and experience for a moment, so that he might modify his judgment. As long as the veil of unbelief is over the heart, evidences are of little value. VII. Satisfaction. After they had cast out the man, Jesus found him and talked with him, and revealed Himself to him, so that the man was constrained to acknowledge Him as Lord, and to “worship Him” (Jn 9:35–38). His being cast out brought him into closer contact with the Son of God, his Saviour. It was much better for Him to be outside with Christ than inside without Him. The Lord never fails to compensate, in some way or other, those who suffer for His sake (Isa. 66:5). We infer that he was perfectly satisfied from the fact that he worshipped Him. He felt that the Lord had done so much for him that he could only fall down and adore Him for His mighty and matchless grace. This is something more than mere thanksgiving, something deeper than prayer; it is the most God-honouring act of which any creature in Heaven or in earth is capable. We cannot live without offering our desires unto God in prayer; but why are we so seldom overwhelmed with such a sense of His greatness and goodness that we can do nothing but bow and adore? Our service in Heaven will be that of adoration; why not practise it more now? VIII. Judgment. “Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see, and that they which see might be made blind” (Jn 9:39–41). Christ came not to condemn the world by an act of judgment, but, by His coming as the “Light of the World,” could not avoid passing the sentence of death upon darkness and sin. Those words spoken by the Lord contain His own application of the spiritual meaning of the miracle, for all His miracles are typical of spiritual things. There are none so blind as those who don’t wish to see. These Pharisees said, “We see,” yet they saw not Jesus Christ as the “Light of the World,” although He opened this blind man’s eyes. They said, “We know that this man is a sinner” (Jn 9:24), although that Man said, “Which of you convinceth Me of sin” (Jn 8:46). Therefore, they were condemning themselves by preferring the darkness of ignorance and death to the light of knowledge and life. Those who are blind and know it (spiritually) shall soon have “no sin,” for they will speedily turn to Him who has come to save sinners. But those who say, “We see,” and abide in the light of those sparks of their own kindling, will find out their blindness when cast into the outer darkness of eternal doom. “Your sin remaineth” as long as you walk in your fancied light (Jn 9:41). The opening of the blind man’s eyes is a witness to Christ’s power to impart that spiritual vision that saves from sin, and a warning to those who trust to the light of their own eyes, which lead into the ditch of everlasting darkness (1 Cor. 3:18). “All that proceeds not from spiritual regeneration, be it never so pure and brilliant in its glitter, is nothing towards salvation.—Zeisius. “The grace of the Holy Ghost is free, not bound either to means, persons, or times.”—Majus. “Christianity consists not in secluding oneself and locking the room, and sitting with the prayer book behind the stove, else the Lord would not have talked with the Samaritan woman.”—Quesnel. “If God rested as the Jews would have men rest on the Sabbath, no sun would rise, no flower would blossom.”—Broune. “The Lord feeds and nourishes those who truly gather around Him.”—Schleiermachu. “The earthly mind always miscalculates.”—Schultz. “The power to draw men is greater than the power to punish.”—Heubner. John 9:2 And His disciples asked Him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he would be born blind?" BGT John 9:2 καὶ ἠρώτησαν αὐτὸν οἱ μαθηταὶ αὐτοῦ λέγοντες· ῥαββί, τίς ἥμαρτεν, οὗτος ἢ οἱ γονεῖς αὐτοῦ, ἵνα τυφλὸς γεννηθῇ; KJV John 9:2 And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind? NET John 9:2 His disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who committed the sin that caused him to be born blind, this man or his parents?" CSB John 9:2 His disciples questioned Him: " Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" ESV John 9:2 And his disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" NIV John 9:2 His disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" NLT John 9:2 "Rabbi," his disciples asked him, "why was this man born blind? Was it because of his own sins or his parents' sins?" who: Jn 9:34 Mt 16:14 DISCIPLES DRAW HASTY CONCLUSION And His disciples (mathetes) asked Him, "Rabbi (rhabbi), who sinned (hamartano), this man or his parents, that (hina) he would be born (gennao) blind (tuphlos)? - Here we see the disciples know the man had congenital blindness, but whether they know from the man or from Jesus' comments in unclear. They immediately jump to the assumption that the blindness was sin related. They see he is blind, so in their mind obviously someone has sinned! So who sinned Jesus? Could parents sin and a baby be born blind? Yes that can happen in ophthalmia neonatorum (see note below). However, it is not even logical, because he came out of the womb blind! How could this man have committed sins in utero? To be sure, we know of course that every human is born in sin as David explained in Psalm 51:5+ (Ps 58:3, cf Paul in Ro 5:12+), but that is not what they were referring to or they too would have been born blind! Note that in Jn 9:8 we discover that because of his blindness, he was forced to become a beggar. Adrian Rogers reminds us "Mankind was to have dominion. But man who was created to be a king, a spiritual king, is now a blind beggar....see Rev 3:17+....What a picture of mankind without the Lord Jesus Christ." In Jesus' day (and sadly still true today) it was a common assumption that when someone was experiencing difficulty or affliction, they had sown some seeds of sin that brought forth a harvest of adversity (which can be the case Gal 6:7-8+). In the book of Job, the oldest book in the Bible, Bildad the Shuhite comes to "comfort" Job in his affliction with these words "If your sons sinned against Him, then He delivered them into the power of their transgression." (Job 8:4) THOUGHT - When bad things happen to good (God's) people, we often fall into the same mode of thinking as the disciples! What did I do? What sin did I commit that brought on this adversity? And maybe you even begin to confess sins, sins you are not even sure you have committed because you are convinced your current affliction is because of your sin, just like the disciples assumed of this man born blind. Yes, sin has consequences which can include adversity, but don't turn it around and assume every adversity you experience is due to your sin (or a sin of your parents)! Also keep in mind that adversity may provide the opportunity for God to be glorified and you to be blessed. Robertson on parents sin passed on - That is sometimes true (Ex. 20:5+, etc.), but by no means always. The rabbinical casuists loved to split hairs on this problem. Ezekiel 18:20 says: “The soul that sinneth it shall die” (individual responsibility for sin committed). There is something in heredity, but not everything." Warren
João 9
Morgan - BORROW Nelson's complete book of stories, illustrations & quotes Robert Noland - ONE THING I KNOW - Do You Believe?: 40-Day Devotional: In John 9, the story of a blind man healed by Jesus is the focus of the entire chapter. He was walking with people around him and approached this man, whom people evidently knew was born blind. As was the belief of the day, the people felt sin of the man or his parents was to blame for his condition. Jesus made it clear that neither was true, but then he took the focus off the man’s problem and put it on his own presence. Then Jesus did a very curious thing—he bent down, spat in some dirt, took the muddy substance, and placed it on the man’s eyes. He then told him to go wash in the Pool of Siloam. The man obeyed, and his eyes were healed! Now—consider the strangeness that ensued among the people and how no one seemed to recognize a man born blind suddenly and miraculously had his sight. The people started asking if he was the same man, as if Jesus had played some game of switcheroo. But the man was insistent, telling the story of what Jesus did for him. As the man was questioned further and further, an amazing transformation started to occur in him. The people decided to take the healed man to the Pharisees, the religious leaders. The day also just happened to be the Sabbath. When they heard the story, their focus was on a religious law being broken—Jesus had “worked” on the holy day. The Pharisees decided this fully discredited him as a healer. Next, they sent for the man’s parents to confirm the story. The parents, afraid for their reputation, essentially “pleaded the fifth” by telling them to ask their son. The leaders and the people then demanded that the man tell the truth. But he’d finally had enough! In John 9:25, the man brought some practical truth to the insanity when he stated: “One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!” (NIV) As he went on to defend Jesus, the Pharisees declared the man a born sinner, announced that they were offended, and threw him out. Jesus found out what had happened and found the man. He said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” “Who is he, sir?” the man asked. “Tell me so that I may believe in him.” Jesus said, “You have now seen him; in fact, he is the one speaking with you.” Then the man said, “Lord, I believe,” and he worshiped him. —John 9:35–38 NIV Try to imagine being born blind, meeting a man who gives you 20/20 vision, then suddenly being thrust into a religious debate on healing. Might you be in a state of shock too? The man came to the conclusion that he was not only healed, but the healer was the Messiah. What about your own story? Were you in any sort of difficult physical, emotional, or mental state when Jesus found you? There are times those challenges are what humble us to see God’s hand. One thing is true of us all, though—we were spiritually blind in desperate need of our eyes being opened to God. Jesus comes and takes the blindness away, we see him for who he is, and we receive his offer of forgiveness and salvation. Kriminal is lying in a hospital bed, handcuffed to the metal handrail. In his right hand, he clutches the small cross Pretty Boy got from the church service. Ironically, the cross is now bloodstained. His heart is reeling from all that has happened and what he is now feeling inside. A detective walks in and asks, “You the one who calls himself Kriminal?” Pausing, receiving, he answers, “I was …” No matter our background, how good or bad we perceived ourselves to be, at the point of faith being birthed in our hearts, we all share the same declaration as the blind man, “One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!” and “Lord, I believe.” And then we worship … forever. Complete these thoughts in your journal: Father, some ways I was blind before you saved me were … A “blind spot” where I still struggle today and need your healing is… Father, thank you that though I was blind, now I can see that… Our Best Defense Whether He is a sinner or not I do not know. One thing I know: that though I was blind, now I see. —John 9:25 Today's Scripture: John 9:13-25 Thrown together as seatmates for an 8-hour train ride, a retired US ambassador and I quickly clashed as he sighed when I pulled out my Bible. I took the bait. At first, we traded one-liners aimed at goading the other or scoring points. Gradually, though, bits and pieces of our respective life stories started creeping into the discussion. Curiosity got the better of both of us and we found ourselves asking questions instead of feuding. A political science major in college and a political junkie by hobby, I was intrigued with his career, which included two prominent ambassadorships. Strangely enough, his questions to me were about my faith. How I became “a believer” was what interested him most. The train ride ended amicably, and we even traded business cards. As he left the train, he turned to me and said, “By the way, the best part of your argument isn’t what you think Jesus can do for me. It’s what He’s done for you.” In John 9, as on that train, God reminds us that the best story is the one we know intimately: Our own encounter with Jesus Christ. Practice telling your story of faith to loved ones and close friends so you’ll be able to tell it clearly to others. By: Randy Kilgore You may be tempted to debate To change another’s view, But nothing speaks more powerfully Than what Christ did in you. —Sper People know true faith stories when they hear them. Just Be Yourself You, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled. — Colossians 1:21 Today's Scripture: John 9:1-25 For those of us who don’t have the spiritual gift of evangelism, the word witness can stir up some unpleasant memories or paralyzing anxieties. In fact, I’ve sometimes felt like a complete failure when I tried to follow methods that were designed to make witnessing easier. Jim Henderson, author of Evangelism Without Additives: What if Sharing Your Faith Meant Just Being Yourself? has made the subject less threatening for me by suggesting another way of thinking about the subject. Instead of using someone else’s words or story, he suggests “just being yourself.” In courtrooms, second-hand testimony is not allowed because anything other than a first-hand account is unreliable. The same is true spiritually. The authentic story of the work Christ has done in our lives is the best testimony we have. We don’t need to doctor it or dramatize it. When we tell the truth about Christ’s power to save us and keep us from sin, our testimony will be credible. If the thought of taking classes or memorizing plans has kept you from witnessing, try a different approach: be yourself! Like the blind man Jesus healed, simply say, “Though I was blind, now I see” (John 9:25). By: Julie Ackerman Link Thinking It Through Write out your personal testimony of when you received Jesus as your Savior. Try including what your life was like before, and what it’s like now. If you want others to know what Christ can do for them, tell them what He has done for you. The Junkyard Genius One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see! John 9:25 Today's Scripture & Insight: John 9:1–11 Noah Purifoy began his work as an “assemblage” artist with three tons of rubble salvaged from the 1965 riots in the Watts area of Los Angeles. From broken bicycle wheels and bowling balls to discarded tires and damaged TV sets—things no longer usable—he and a colleague created sculptures that conveyed a powerful message about people being treated as “throw-aways” in modern society. One journalist referred to Mr. Purifoy as “the junkyard genius.” In Jesus’s time, many people considered those with diseases and physical problems as sinners being punished by God. They were shunned and ignored. But when Jesus and His disciples encountered a man born blind, the Lord said his condition was not the result of sin, but an occasion to see the power of God. “While I am in the world, I am the light of the world” (John 9:5). When the blind man followed Jesus’s instructions, he was able to see. When the religious authorities questioned the man, he replied simply, “One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!” (v. 25). Jesus is still the greatest “junkyard genius” in our world. We are all damaged by sin, but He takes our broken lives and shapes us into His new creations. By: David C. McCasland Lord, I thank You today for Your amazing grace! Jesus is the restorer of life. Vital Information One thing I know: that though I was blind, now I see. — John 9:25 Today's Scripture: John 9:1-7,13-27 You’re on vacation and evening is approaching. You spot a good motel and you pull in. The clerk tells you that a room is available, and she gives you a card to fill out. Without hesitation you write down your name, address, phone number, and license number. Depending on how you pay, you may also reveal your credit card number. You have given out a lot of vital information without thinking twice about it. Discussing this in a sermon, a pastor observed that it’s so easy for us to hand over to people all kinds of vital information, yet it’s often difficult for us to tell them that we are believers in Jesus Christ. But the most vital thing about us that could possibly be shared is what Jesus has done for us. We are commissioned to tell the world about our Savior. In John 9, the man healed of blindness testified clearly what had happened to him: “Though I was blind, now I see” (v.25). Jesus is the One who had done it for him. Similarly, the Light of the world has removed our spiritual blindness through faith. He is our Savior. Now we can see. We give out a lot of vital information about ourselves. Let’s not be afraid to tell others the most important thing about us: We are believers in Jesus Christ! By: David C. Egner Think About It Why are many believers afraid to witness? Who told you about Jesus? What if they had not? How does God help you as you speak on His behalf? God longs to do for others what He has done for you. Rob Morgan - I Once Was Blind Recently I found an old book in a London shop—Memories of the Mission Field by Christine I. Tinling, undated, published in England. It tells of a Swedish missionary, a Mr. Tornvall, who arrived in Ping-Liang, China, uninvited and unwelcome. The missionary realized he would only be accepted by providing medical help, but he had no training—only one small book and some homeopathic remedies. He began with an old woman, nearly blind, who was carried each day to ask alms. At night she was returned to her hut where a large stone was rolled across the door to keep out wolves, and there she had to stay until friends removed the stone the next morning. Tornvall stopped daily and treated her eyes with a salve. To the surprise of all, her eyesight was restored. A soldier was then brought to Tornvall with a frostbitten leg requiring amputation. I had no instruments except a Swedish penknife and an American saw, but I boiled them and did the best I could. I had a book on anatomy, and I kept it by me during the operation and looked at the diagrams to the leg as I cut. I did it on the verandah, and the neighbors gathered round to watch the performance. I had no ether or chloroform, but used a hot salt solution as a palliative. The operation was successful, and afterward the young soldier dried his dismembered leg in the sun so he could carry it home to his mother. But the city fathers, unimpressed, called a public meeting to discuss driving Tornvall from their boundaries. The tide turned when the old beggar woman faced the crowd. “Do you want good people in this city or not?” she demanded. “You all know me, you know that I was almost blind, and now I see. This man has helped me.” Her words, strangely similar to those in John 9, moved the city, and Tornvall was allowed to stay in Ping-Liang where in time he established both a church and a medical center. (BORROW From this verse : 365 inspiring stories about the power of God's word) J J Knapp - One Thing I Know John 9:25 This word sounds like a shout of triumph that arose out of the heart of the cured born-blind one, now that he stood before the Jewish Council to account for the benefit that he had received of Jesus. Those smart men in the Council tried to convince the simple man to exclude the person of Christ in his cure, and declared to him with the authority that their office added, to know decidedly that Jesus was a sinner. To them it was self-evident that if able men like they were, made known their decision concerning Christ or the Bible, simple people had to respectfully remain silent! The born-blind one did not agree with this. The quarrelling counsellors and divines could not make him waver with their declarations. He experienced the power of Jesus in his own body. Even though he lacked an answer upon their hesitations, he still remained with one immovable conviction in the midst of this hostile circle: “One thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see!” If we only knew also that one thing in a spiritual sense! Our time is characterised by the desire to know many things, yes, to take knowledge of almost everything, although that knowledge is of course not very deep and complete. The realms of science are expanding continuously, and who does not want to remain behind, is forced to involve all his power of thinking, yes, to not allow an hour or a moment go by unused. Of course, every one cannot control everything. Nevertheless, there must be a lively interest in that which falls within the scope of our mind,—only in that way do we achieve that enrichment of life that keeps us from slow deterioration while growing older. How painful is it that with all the knowing of our century the spiritual knowledge is so limited, and that the number is so limited of those who can confess a clear testimony founded on the experience of the soul: “One thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see.”That knowledge is indispensable beyond all knowledge. It will not harm us on our deathbed if we do not know the names of the stars or the depth of the sea. However, if we do not know that one thing of the born-blind one in that decisive hour, where is our hope, where is our salvation, where is our glory? Blessed is the man who may resemble the born-blind one. One thing I know,that I groped around in darkness, but that in my soul a light of lights arose! One thing I know that in myself I am a deeply unholy sinner, but that Jesus is my Mediator! One thing I know that His grace has touched me, that I was blind and that now I see the glory of God! Robert Hawker - One thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see.—Jn 9:25. -- THIS is a great thing to say, my soul: on what foundation dost thou rest this knowledge? If the Lord Jesus hath opened thine eyes, then indeed thou canst not but discover thy former blindness; for, during that state of nature, thou literally could discern nothing. And if thy former blindness be discovered, then thy present sight hath brought thee acquainted with new objects. Pause over the review of both this morning. The blindness of nature to spiritual things is marked in scripture in strong characters. A poor blind sinner sees nothing of the light of life. The Sun of Righteousness is not risen upon him. He discerns nothing of the love of God in Christ. If he reads the scripture, the veil is upon his heart. If he hears of Jesus, he sees no beauty in him. Nothing is nearer to him than the Lord, and nothing further from his thoughts. To tell him of the sweetness of the word of God, is strange to him; for he tastes nothing of sweetness in it. To tell him of the loveliness of ordinances and the sabbaths; these are strange things in his esteem. My soul, if indeed thine eyes be opened, thou wilt know that thou wert once indeed blind, in the fullest sense of the word, to all these delightful views of sacred things which now are thy supreme pleasure and thy joy. Say, then, what hast thou seen to justify this saying, “One thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see?” Hast thou seen the King in his beauty? Hast thou seen with the eye of faith the glories of Jesus? Yes! if so be all other objects are obscured. The sight of Jesus, as the Christ of God, hath darkened the glory and excellency of all beside. Jesus, as he is in himself, as he is in his offices, characters, relations—as he is to thee and thy happiness—is the one, the only one thing needful; and thou must count all things but dung and dross to win Christ. These, my soul, are blessed tokens that Jesus hath opened thine eyes, and brought thee out of darkness into his marvellous light. By-and-by thou shalt see him as he is, and dwell with him for ever! CHRIST’S CREDENTIALS Whereas I was blind, now I see. JOHN 9:25 THIS OF THE GRACIOUS REVELATION of God's purpose and power in the healing of the man born blind (John 9). Think of his case, and in many another that might be named. Away back in the councils of eternity God determined to redeem the human race, putting the iniquity of us all upon the Person of His own Son, our Savior Jesus Christ. It was necessary that the Son should take upon Himself our human nature; that He should come to earth; and that He should be known and identified when He came, by the works He should do, that men might believe on Him. And so, for your redemption, and mine, and that of the whole world, God caused this child to be born blind. The impairment brought sorrow to his parents and to himself. Day after day, week after week, month after month, year after year he sat there. All Jerusalem knew him; thousands of people from Judea and Galilee knew him and knew he had been born blind. And now the reason for it all! The Son of Man has left the glory He had with the Father before the world was; He has come down to earth to suffer and die; and He is about to be identified as the Son of God and the Savior of the world. On this memorable day He is passing by the temple gate and, seeing this man, speaks to him the word of power that gives him the sight he never had. The man returns to his home, and it is known there - and in all Jerusalem and in all Judea and in all the world - that God did it to certify to the well-beloved One, whose blood cleanseth us from all sin. Was it not worth the while of that man to have been born blind and to have suffered so? Was it not worth while for his parents to have suffered? Does God ever put suffering upon His faithful witnesses when reward does not follow it? It was well worth his while, not only for his own sake, but for that of millions of redeemed souls who have been won to God through Jesus Christ. They are in His presence now, because of the testimony he bore to Him by sitting at the temple gate until He restored his sight. JAMES M. GRAY John 9:26 So they said to him, "What did He do to you? How did He open your eyes?" BGT John 9:26 εἶπον οὖν αὐτῷ· τί ἐποίησέν σοι; πῶς ἤνοιξέν σου τοὺς ὀφθαλμούς; KJV John 9:26 Then said they to him again, What did he to thee? how opened he thine eyes? NET John 9:26 Then they said to him, "What did he do to you? How did he cause you to see?" CSB John 9:26 Then they asked him, "What did He do to you? How did He open your eyes?" ESV John 9:26 They said to him, "What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?" NIV John 9:26 Then they asked him, "What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?" NLT John 9:26 "But what did he do?" they asked. "How did he heal you?" PHARISEES STOPPED DEAD IN THEIR TRACKS So (oun) - Therefore. Based on his indisputable testimony, they are now forced to try to trap the man in some inconsistency. They said to him, "What did He do to you? - They have now been forced to conclude that Jesus opened his eyes. This is the third time they asked him how this came about. It is interesting that they do not use the word "miracle," in this section. The man has already told them about the clay pack and instructions to wash (Jn 9:15). They are grasping at straws now, looking for anything the man might say to use against Jesus! How did He open (anoigo) your eyes - "Open your eyes" is an idiomatic way of saying how did He restore your sight or restore your vision? "How did he heal you?" (NLT) The Pharisees attribute the miracle specifically to Jesus by using the pronoun "He." Warren
João 9
Morgan - If He finds and receives, what does it matter who rejects? (John 9:1-38 Jerusalem. (Later) Seventh Sign - Man Born Blind) Similarly