João 9
Ray Stedman · Citado em PreceptAustin
João 9
Stedman: Why, then, was he born blind? "That the works of God might be made manifest in him," is Jesus' response. That gives a positive reason for this kind of affliction. It is an opportunity, not a disaster, but an opportunity for certain things to be manifested in such a person's life, and in the lives ofpeople who come in contact with that person, that would otherwise never be brought out. You cansurely think of examples of that. The handicapped -- oftentimes those who are handicapped from birth -- frequently develop inner qualities of peace and joy and strength that otherwise normal people do not have. The handicapped oftentimes show a tremendous strength of spirit that is able to take on challenges and endure difficulties that other people cannot. Fanny Crosby, that dear saint of the last century who wrote "Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!" was blind from her earliest babyhood as a result of an accident. When she was only eight years old she wrote this little rhyme, Oh, what a happy child I am, Although I can not see. I am resolved that in this world, Contented I will be. How many blessings I enjoy That other people don't. To weep and sigh Because I'm blind, I cannot and I won't! She lived to be over 90, and that beautiful, rejoicing spirit characterized her all her days.(Daily Devotion: The Purpose of Disabilities) Sinned (264) hamartano literally means to miss the mark (and so not share in the prize). Hamartano means to act contrary to the will and law of God. To commit a wrong. To be in error. Gary Hill on hamartano - hamartánō (from a = "not" + méros = "a part, share") [ED: THIS PROPOSED DERIVATION WAS ORIGINALLY PROPOSED BY A. H. STRONG AND IS NOT FOUND IN MANY/MOST LEXICONS THUS ITS VALIDITY IS NOT ABSOLUTELY ESTABLISHED - IT DOES LEAD TO SOME INTERESTING APPLICATION AS HILL GOES ON TO UNFOLD] – properly, having no share in; to sin, which always brings forfeiture (eternal loss because missing God's mark). Like hamartía, (hamartánō) is regularly used in ancient times of an archer missing the target (Homer, Aesch., etc). Every decision (action) done apart from faith (pistis) is sin (Ro 14:23+; cf. Heb 11:6+). Hamartanō ("to sin") emphasizes loss which always results from missing God's mark (target; i.e. "His preferred will," see thelema). Hamartánō ("choosing sin") asserts the agenda of self, by (for) self, over God's loving plan. Ironically, this insists on bringing self-made condemnation (cf. Titus 3:11+). Reflection: Believers experience loss every time they sin (cf. Heb 10:26+), as it diminishes their unique glorification awarded by Christ at His return. (The Discovery Bible) Hamartano emphasizes loss which always results from missing God's mark or target, His good and acceptable and perfect will (Ro 12:2). Gary Hill adds that "hamartánō ("choosing sin") asserts the agenda of self, by (for) self, over God's loving plan. Ironically, this insists on bringing self-made condemnation (cf. Titus 3:11 = "and is sinning, being self-condemned."). In sum, hamartánō always results in loss of reward for believers, and everlasting condemnation for unbelievers. Hamartano - 37v - commit sin(1), committed...offense(1), committing(1), sin(11), sinned(17), sinning(4), sins(8). Matt. 18:15; Matt. 18:21; Matt. 27:4; Lk. 15:18; Lk. 15:21; Lk. 17:3; Lk. 17:4; Jn. 5:14; Jn. 8:11; Jn. 9:2; Jn. 9:3; Acts 25:8; Rom. 2:12; Rom. 3:23; Rom. 5:12; Rom. 5:14; Rom. 5:16; Rom. 6:15; 1 Co. 6:18; 1 Co. 7:28; 1 Co. 7:36; 1 Co. 8:12; 1 Co. 15:34; Eph. 4:26; 1 Tim. 5:20; Tit. 3:11; Heb. 3:17; Heb. 10:26; 1 Pet. 2:20; 2 Pet. 2:4; 1 Jn. 1:10; 1 Jn. 2:1; 1 Jn. 3:6; 1 Jn. 3:8; 1 Jn. 3:9; 1 Jn. 5:16; 1 Jn. 5:18 Displayed (made manifest, disclosed, revealed) (5319) phaneroo from phanerós = manifest, visible, conspicuous in turn from phaino = give light; become visible in turn from phos = light) is literally "to bring to light" and primarily means "to make visible" or to cause to become visible. The basic meaning of phaneroo is to make known, to clearly reveal, to manifest (see Vine's below), to cause to be seen or to make something clear. BDAG (borrow) summarized - 1, to cause to become visible, reveal, expose publicly (w. relatively more focus on the sensory aspect than on the cognitive 2. to cause to become known, disclose, show, make known Liddell-Scott - to make manifest, N.T. II. to make known or famous:-Pass. to become so, Hdt. Friberg - reveal, make known, show (1) of a thing; (a) active, as a causative make known, cause to be seen, show, often as synonymous with apokalupto to indicate God's revelation of something (Ro 1.19; 2Co 2.14); (b) passive become visible, be revealed, become known (Mk 4.22; Jn 3.21); (2) of a person; (a) active make oneself known, show or reveal oneself (Jn 7.4 ); (b) passive become known, be shown, be in true character (2Co 5.11); appear, become visible, be revealed (Jn 21.14; 1Ti 3.16) (Borrow Analytical Lexicon of the Greek New Testament) Phaneroo - 43v - appear(1), appeared(6), appears(3), become visible(1), becomes visible(1), disclose(1), disclosed(1), displayed(1), made...evident(2), made known(1), made manifest(2), make...clear(1), manifested(18), manifests(1), revealed(7), show(1), shown(1). Mk. 4:22; Mk. 16:12; Mk. 16:14; Jn. 1:31; Jn. 2:11; Jn. 3:21; Jn. 7:4; Jn. 9:3; Jn. 17:6; Jn. 21:1; Jn. 21:14; Rom. 1:19; Rom. 3:21; Rom. 16:26; 1 Co. 4:5; 2 Co. 2:14; 2 Co. 3:3; 2 Co. 4:10; 2 Co. 4:11; 2 Co. 5:10; 2 Co. 5:11; 2 Co. 7:12; 2 Co. 11:6; Eph. 5:13; Col. 1:26; Col. 3:4; Col. 4:4; 1 Tim. 3:16; 2 Tim. 1:10; Tit. 1:3; Heb. 9:8; Heb. 9:26; 1 Pet. 1:20; 1 Pet. 5:4; 1 Jn. 1:2; 1 Jn. 2:19; 1 Jn. 2:28; 1 Jn. 3:2; 1 Jn. 3:5; 1 Jn. 3:8; 1 Jn. 4:9; Rev. 3:18; Rev. 15:4 Related Resources: Does God cause suffering? | GotQuestions.org Why does God allow people to be disabled / handicapped? | GotQuestions.org - Interesting! Is it true that everything happens for a reason? | GotQuestions.org Why does God allow bad things to happen to good people? | GotQuestions.org Why does God allow good things to happen to bad people? | GotQuestions.org True Trust Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him. —John 9:3 Today's Scripture: John 9:1-11 If you didn’t know him, you might think Nick Vujicic has everything going for him. Nick has never had a sore arm. He’s never had knee problems. He’s never smashed his finger in a door, stubbed his toe, or banged his shin against a table leg. But that’s because Nick doesn’t have a shin. Or a toe. Or a finger. Or a knee. Or an arm. Nick was born with no arms and no legs. Before you begin to feel sorry for Nick, read his words. “God won’t let anything happen to us in our life unless He has a good purpose for it all. I completely gave my life to Christ at the age of 15 after reading John 9. Jesus said that the reason the man was born blind was ‘so that the works of God may be revealed through him.’ . . . I now see that glory revealed as He is using me just the way I am and in ways others can’t be used.” Nick travels the world to spread the gospel and love of Jesus. Nick says, “If I can trust in God with my circumstances, then you can trust in God with your circumstances. . . . The greatest joy of all is having Jesus Christ in my life and living the godly purpose He has for me.” Can we say that? Can we look beyond our limitations and have the same trust in God that transformed a man with no arms or legs into a missionary for Jesus? By: Dave Branon Lord, shape my life as only You can, Guiding each day by Your loving plan; Take what You need and give what You will; My life is Yours to use and to fill. —Branon Trusting God turns problems into opportunities. Handicapped for God’s Glory “Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents; but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.” (John 9:3) CHRIST came upon a man who was blind from his birth. This problem puzzled the disciples; and so they asked Christ, “Who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?” (John 9:2). Christ’s answer to the disciples’ perplexity about this blind man is in our verse for today. We note the exaltation in the explanation, the experience in the explanation, and the encouragement in the explanation. Exaltation. “But that the works of God should be made manifest in him.” The purpose of the blindness was to exalt God. And it did exalt God, for Christ was honored in healing the man of his blindness. We need to remember that glorifying God is very important. Men are interested in mostly their own glory which accounts for so much bragging by men, but we should be interested primarily in God’s glory. It is important that God be honored and glorified. All that we do is to be done to glorify God (1 Corinthians 10:31). Experience. “But that the works of God should be made manifest in him.” We may have to experience suffering in order that God may be glorified. That we should suffer in order for God to be glorified is no injustice to man; for after all, Christ suffered greatly on Calvary so that sinners might be saved and be glorified in heaven. If God suffered so we could obtain eternal glory, should we complain if we must suffer that God may be glorified on earth? Encouragement. “Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents.” This statement does not mean that this blind man and his parents had never sinned. It means that this trial in their lives was not caused by some specific sin. Every time you experience a trial does not mean you are suffering because of your sin. We should search our hearts when we are suffering a trial to see if it is because of some disobedience—and if it is, we should confess our sin. But if we honestly cannot perceive that our suffering is a result of sin, trust God to have another good reason for the suffering. - John Butler - Daily Bible Reading The “Why” Question Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him. —John 9:3 Today's Scripture: John 9:1-7 The fact that some people come into the world with severe disabilities disturbs us. We feel a deep sense of compassion for them, and instinctively wonder why they must suffer in this way. Those who believe in reincarnation say such disabilities are penalties for things done in previous lives. But this theory is completely contrary to the teaching of the Bible. We must be careful about placing blame when someone has a disability. When Jesus encountered the man born blind. His disciples asked, “Who sinned, this man or his parents?” (Jn. 9:2). But Jesus answered, “Neither,” and added, “but that the works of God should be revealed in him” (v.3). Then He did what He could to help—He healed the man. We are not able to heal people like Jesus did, but we can make their lives more pleasant through acts of kindness. There are numerous opportunities to show love by offering practical help or a listening ear, not in a patronizing manner but in genuine friendship. When we show respect for others, we display the spirit of Christ. Lord, help us to remember and uphold the dignity of every person. Help us to focus on what we can do when we can’t explain why bad things happen. By: Herbert Vander Lugt Thinking It Over How do I respond to a person with a disability? Do I treat him or her with respect and love? How would Christ treat them? It’s better to lend a helping hand than to point an accusing finger. Why an infinitely gracious God permitted sin and suffering to enter the universe. from Spurgeon's sermon, "The Spur". John 9:4 A young convert, after finding peace with God, was heard to say, "I rejoice that I was a lost sinner." Strange matter to be glad about, you will say, for of all things it is most to be deplored; but here was her reason: "Because God's infinite grace, and mercy, and wisdom, and all His attributes, are glorified in me as they never could have been had I not been a sinner and had I not been lost." God has allowed moral and physical evil to come into this world to cause His infinite wisdom, grace, power, and all His other attributes, to be the better seen by the whole intelligent universe. Sin, somehow or other, desperate evil as it is, will be overruled to display God's goodness. Were there no sin there had been no Savior; if no death, no resurrection; if no fall, no new covenant; if no rebellious race, no incarnation, no Calvary, no ascension, no second advent. Though we do not know, and perhaps shall never know the deepest reason why an infinitely gracious God permitted sin and suffering to enter the universe, yet we may at least be encouraged this practical thought: God will be glorified in the overcoming of evil and its consequences. John 9:4 "We must work the works of Him who sent Me as long as it is day; night is coming when no one can work. BGT John 9:4 ἡμᾶς δεῖ ἐργάζεσθαι τὰ ἔργα τοῦ πέμψαντός με ἕως ἡμέρα ἐστίν· ἔρχεται νὺξ ὅτε οὐδεὶς δύναται ἐργάζεσθαι. KJV John 9:4 I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work. NET John 9:4 We must perform the deeds of the one who sent me as long as it is daytime. Night is coming when no one can work. CSB John 9:4 We must do the works of Him who sent Me while it is day. Night is coming when no one can work. ESV John 9:4 We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work. NIV John 9:4 As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. NLT John 9:4 We must quickly carry out the tasks assigned us by the one who sent us. The night is coming, and then no one can work. must: Jn 4:34 5:19,36 10:32,37 17:4 Lu 13:32-34 Ac 4:20 as: Jn 11:9-10 Jn 12:35 Ec 9:10 Isa 38:18-19 Eph 5:16 Col 4:5 Click John 8:12 Commentary for more in depth notes, including multiple devotionals Related Passages: John 11:9-10 Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world. 10 “But if anyone walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him.” John 12:35 So Jesus said to them, “For a little while longer the Light is among you. Walk while you have the Light, so that darkness will not overtake you; he who walks in the darkness does not know where he goes. 36 “While you have the Light, believe in the Light, so that you may become sons of Light.” These things Jesus spoke, and He went away and hid Himself from them. Ecclesiastes 9:10 Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might; for there is no activity or planning or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol where you are going. Isaiah 38:18-19 “For Sheol cannot thank You, Death cannot praise You; Those who go down to the pit cannot hope for Your faithfulness. 19 “It is the living who give thanks to You, as I do today; A father tells his sons about Your faithfulness. Ephesians 5:15-16+ Therefore be careful (present imperative see our need to depend on the Holy Spirit to obey) how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil. Colossians 4:5-6+ Conduct (present imperative see our need to depend on the Holy Spirit to obey) yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity. 6 Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person. SEIZE THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO GOD'S WORKS We must (dei - logical necessity, obligation) work (ergazomai in present tense) the works (ergon) of Him Who sent Me as long as it is day - There is a sense of urgency in Jesus' words. The must speaks of absolute necessity and the qualifier is that these works can only be performed for a finite amount of time. Jesus sounds a sense of urgency for disciples (then and now) to redeem the time left (cf Eph 5:16+, cf Col 4:5-6+, see Redeem the Time). For Jesus, He would be able to carry supernatural works as a Man for only about another 6 months before He was crucified. Jesus repeatedly alludes to the truth of God sending Him on mission. It is as if they just did not "get it" (and here it was His own disciples)! We must glorify God. This is necessity. All else may be—this must be! -- C H Spurgeon THOUGHT - Jesus' words of urgency apply to all disciples. While we have not been sent in same manner as Jesus was sent, once we are born again, we are effectively placed on the mission field as God's (Gospel) ambassadors. This applies to EVERY person born again, because every person has been gifted by God for specific work (1Co 12:7, 1Pe 4:10) What are our works for which we have been given new life in Christ? Paul writes that our new birth should be accompanied by good works (saved by faith alone) explaining "we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for (OUR PURPOSE) good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them." (Eph 2:10+) Are you working the good works while you still have the light of day (while you are still alive on earth)? Don't miss your once in a lifetime opportunity! Redeem the time (opportunity) (Eph 5:16+). Marvin
João 9
Stedman - What does clay symbolize in Scripture? In Genesis we are told that God formed man from the dust of the ground, from the clay of the earth. That symbolism is used many times in Scripture. God is the Potter, we read in Jeremiah {Jer 18:4-6}. We are the clay. He molds us and shapes us into what he wants us to be. Believers, the Apostle Paul declares, "have this treasure in earthen vessels" {2 Cor 4:7} -- clay pots. And the pots are not very strong. Clay is not a very powerful substance. It is malleable and weak. Thus, all through Scripture, clay is used as a symbol of the weakness and fragility of human nature. We are all made of clay. We are clay pots. Some of us are even a little cracked! There is a science being developed here in California called "psycho-ceramics" to deal with cracked pots! This is what clay symbolizes. (Believing Is Seeing)
João 9
Stedman - Clearly this is a description of what follows in this man's life. Our Lord has worked it out in this beautiful object lesson to indicate what it takes to open blinded spiritual eyes. Physical eyes can easily be opened by his power, but to open spiritual eyes takes a process of overcoming obstacles that lie in the way. Only as that process is completed, and men come to the place where at last they see who Jesus is, are spiritual eyes opened. This is the story of the remaining verses of this chapter. It is a story of the resistance that this man met, the obstacles to faith that he overcame, and the gradual insight that he gained as he learned more and more about Jesus until he found himself at last at Jesus' feet and his spiritual eyes were opened. It is all worked out in a most dramatic way.(Believing Is Seeing) Shepherd's Notes says "Jesus performed more miracles related to giving sight to the blind more than any other miracle." And came back seeing - Apparently the miracle of physical sight occurred when obeyed and completed washing the clay pack off of his eyes. In other words when he had completely obeyed Jesus' instructions, he received the blessing of sight (which as far as we can discern from the text was not definitely promised to him by Jesus). THOUGHT- It bears repeating that one simple secret of the Christian life is to obey when Jesus gives us a command! For us who can physically see, when you obey without hesitation, do not be surprised if you have greater spiritual sight on a given issue (e.g., including knowing His good will in a matter). Just a thought to ponder. John