John 9 reminds me of a song from the Sound of Music. It contains a misconception that is very common, and very destructive. “Somewhere in my youth or childhood, I must have done something good”. The chapter begins with a question, illustrating that the disciples had a similar belief. After seeing a blind man, they asked Jesus, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Clearly they believed that the blindness was God’s punishment for doing something bad. Jesus surprised the disciples with His answer, “Neither”. How do we solve this problem? Psalm 145 says “The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love”. He does not curse bad behavior. Why is there so much misery in the world? I have confidence that the world was created in perfection, but after sin entered, everything was corrupted. Jesus continued, “this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him”. Many of us are completely blind to the mercies of God in our life. Jesus told them “While I am in the world, I am the light of the world”. Light helps us see the best path to follow. It is important to note that Jesus did more than just talk, He also took action. “He spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man’s eyes”. He also gave the man instruction, “Go wash in the Pool of Siloam”. Faith always leads to action. The man went, and washed, “and came home seeing”. The big lie is that God’s love is dependent on our goodness. 1 John 4:19 reminds us that “We love because He first loved us”. Friend, do you have enough faith to believe that God loves you?
The blind man’s neighbors asked, “Isn’t this the same man who used to sit and beg?” He told them, “I am the man”. They could not understand, “How then were your eyes opened?” The man explained what happened, giving credit to Jesus. They asked him, where they could find Jesus. Some wanted His help, while others were mad because this messed up their world view. How could a bad person be made good? Romans 5:8 is one of my favorite things, “While we were still sinners, Christ died for us”. God loved me before I did a thing. I may look the same, but now I live in gratitude.
The chapter continues with everyone investigating HOW the man was healed, instead of WHO healed him. Each time the man was asked “how he had received his sight”; he gave a detailed description of the process. Some of the religious leaders concluded, “This man is not from God, for He does not keep the Sabbath”. Others asked, “How can a sinner perform such signs?” The man that was healed simply said, “One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!” The religious leaders continued to believe the blind man was still “bad”. “’You were steeped in sin at birth; how dare you lecture us!’ And they threw him out”. When the world says goodbye and farewell, the church must be there for the lonely. Jesus searched and found the outcast man, and asked “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” This was a title for Messiah. Perhaps the man recognized the sound of His voice. He said with excitement, “Who is He, sir? Tell me so that I may believe in Him”. This is a very good place to start. He is ready to transition from me-do, to God done. Jesus said, “He is the one speaking with you”. The formerly blind man looked into the eyes of Jesus and said, “’Lord, I believe’, and he worshiped Him”. Here is the good news for those that believe they must have done something bad. Jesus said, “For judgment I have come into this world”. On the cross, your sin and mine were paid in full. Are you ready to escape from the Trapp of guilt? My friend, may your faith blossom and grow forever.