This is the only case in the gospels where a blind person is given sight having been born blind.

John 9:2 "And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?"

"This man" - how could the child sin in the womb? Some rabbis taught this was so, basing their idea on the activity of Jacob and Esau in the womb of Rebecca (Genesis 25:22-23; Luke 1:41-45 ). "His parents" - even today the consequences of sexual permissiveness can bring diseases that affect the unborn. A very solemn word of the law declares the visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children (Exodus 20:5; Exodus 34:7; Numbers 14:18 ). Thank God the blood of Jesus "breaks the power of cancelled sin." Don't philosophise, look to the Lamb of God who delivers.

John 9:3 "Jesus answered, "Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him."

If sin had not entered the world, there would have been no sickness and affliction. These parents are not sinless, but their son's affliction was not due to some specific sin committed by them. Job's friends have their progeny today - those quick to pass sentence upon another. This affliction was the opportunity for the exercising of the working of God's power and goodness. What hope this brings to the afflicted and sick.

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."

The Master's example is that of urgency, knowing His day of earthly service was short, in which to fulfil His mission, and do the great works of the Father who sent Him. In the Master's service:

	The work is urgent because limited as to time.
	The work is great because it is doing God's works.
	The work must take priority because it is His work.
	The work will be greatly rewarded in His home when day is done.

John 9:5 "As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world."

His day of appointed course would not be stopped by attempts to stone Him (John 8:59 ). Until His hour came He would work and shine. Like Jesus, Paul knew he had a course to run, and so do we (2 Timothy 4:7 ). Let us faithfully complete ours.

The method used of applying clay made of the ground and saliva, could point to His hearers being blind to the glory of Jesus, because they were not able to see through the clay of His humanity. The blind man was sent to wash in the pool of Siloam and came back seeing. Had his hearers washed in the Word of God they would not have sought to stone him. They would have seen that He was the Christ, the Son of God.

The Lord honours the exercising of true faith in obedience to His Word

John 9:7 "... So he went and washed, and came back seeing."

When Jesus does a work in a person it is obvious to acquaintances, even though some will be unbelieving (John 9:8-9 ). Frank testimony of all the facts of the Lord's dealing is best, even though questioned (John 9:10-12 ).

They focussed on the day and the method, not on the miraculous healing (John 9:14 ). This resulted in division (John 9:16 ). Opposition can become the means of growth in grace and the knowledge of Jesus Christ. The man who had received his sight began his testimony with "A man that is called Jesus" (John 9:11 KJV). Challenged by the Pharisees he declared "He is a prophet" (John 9:17 KJV). He went further than his parents who only acknowledge he had been born blind and now sees (John 9:18-23 ), being of age, and that now spiritually, in wisdom, though virtually asked to condemn Jesus he said, "Whether he be a sinner or no, I know not:" (this actually questioned their theological position) "one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see." (John 9:25 KJV).

When the Pharisees sought to establish their case by requestioning him, he wanted to know why, and pointedly asked "Do you also want to become His disciples?" (John 9:27 NKJV). The Pharisees claimed to be Moses disciples and said "As for this fellow we do not know where He is from" (John 9:29 NKJV). See how this new disciple becomes a teacher (John 9:30-31 ), concluding with "If this man were not of God, He could do nothing." (John 9:33 KJV). Their reaction was, "Are you teaching us? And they cast him out". (John 9:34 NKJV).

Jesus found him (John 9:35 ), Jesus drew out of this new follower a confession of faith (John 9:35-37 ), and fully revealed Himself to him. He was thrown out by religious leaders but found and worshipped Jesus as Lord.

At His first coming He did not come as the judge of the world - that day of judgment is yet to be. But the mission of the Son of God being among men resulted in each man passing a judgment on himself. Only the one who realises his own blindness can through Jesus, come to see. But the one who believes he is seeing and knows all, cannot have his eyes opened. These Pharisees stood condemned not to see the light, because they claimed to see so well, and knew so much, so witnessed against themselves.

John 9:41 "Jesus said to them, "If you were blind, you would have no sin; but now you say, 'We see.' Therefore your sin remains."

Their very insistence that they could see made their sin wilful. Confrontation with Jesus either leaves you with your spiritual blindness removed, or wilfully blind through pride of knowledge, or pride of sect, remaining in darkness by refusing the light.

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QUESTIONS FOR GROUP INTERACTION

1. Do you accept that a type of miracle healing, while welcome to the receiver, also speaks to the condition or need of those who witness the sign? (John 9:6,7 ).
2. As in the case of the man of John 9, can opposition today be the means of growth in grace and the knowledge of Jesus Christ? (John 9:11,17,26 ).
3. Do you believe that should you be shunned or cast out because of testimony for Jesus that the special presence of Jesus will be granted you? (John 9:35-38 ).