Sight to the Blind-and Vice Versa (Jn 9) Intro: Reason for suffering sought (9:1-2) Question of "theodicy" from Theos (God) & dike (justice).
Exposition 1. Lesson in Compassion: Cause & Result of Suffering (9:3-12) Qualification: all suffering is ultimately from sin, for "through one man sin entered the world, & death through sin, & thus death spread to all men, because all sinned" (Rom 5:12). But each instance of suffering is not always the consequence of an individual sin.
See Mt 5:14-16.
Spurgeon: "the Savior has a greater respect for work than he has for speculation."
2. Lesson in Rejection: Cause & Result of Willful Unbelief (9:13-34) A sure sign of the Messiah: "Then shall the eyes of the blind be opened & the ears of the deaf unstopped" (Is 35:5, see 42:7, etc).
Willful unbelief: (a) Sets false standards, "a man from God wouldn't do that" (v16). They have warped ideas of the Sabbath (see Is 58:6-14), & judge Jesus by them. (b) Always wants more evidence, but never gets enough (v18). (c) Intimidates & pressures others (v22-24). (d) Marginalizes people who don't submit (v34).
3. Lesson in Division: Sight for Blind & Blindness for the Sighted (9:35-41) Jn 9 shows what happens when the light shines: some are made to see, like this blind man; others who see turn away-blinded, as it were, by the light.
See Lk 2:34.
Conclusion "Though my father & mother forsake me, the LORD will receive me" (Ps 27:10).
Featuring a sermon puts it on the front page of the site and is the most effective way to bring this sermon to the attention of thousands including all mobile platforms + newsletter.
Text-Featuring a sermon is a less expensive way to bring this sermon to the attention of thousands on the right bar with optional newsletter inclusion. As low as $30/day.
