warm-up

Tell us about one of your greatest fears as a child.

Have you ever been embarrassed in a crowd? Tell us about it.

Do you know someone who has overcome disability? What happened?

word

Jesus said, “For judgment I came into this world, that those who do not see may see, and those who see may become blind.” John 9:39

(Read also John 9.)

Jesus came into the world so that those who are spiritually blind may see. When Jesus healed the man who was born blind, He revealed the condition of everyone who, despite seeing the visible, failed to see the spiritual. Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” The man whom Jesus healed believed this truth and worshiped Him (John 8:12). However, not all people responded the same way. In this lesson, we will look at different reactions to Jesus’ healing of the man who was born blind—from the disciples to the Pharisees and the man himself—and we will learn how to respond to Him.

1
Disciples

¹As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. ²And his disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” John 9:1,2

(Read also John 9:3-5.)

In Jewish culture, it is common to believe that suffering or disability might be a result of sin. This is why the disciples asked Jesus whether the blind man or his parents had sinned. But Jesus addressed their question by stating that the man’s disability is to show how the works of God might be displayed in him. It was not a question of who sinned or to whom it had happened. Rather, Jesus showed how God’s mercy and power can deliver us. Do you think that most people would respond the way the disciples did? Why?

2
Pharisees

Some of the Pharisees said, “This man is not from God, for he does not keep the Sabbath.” But others said, “How can a man who is a sinner do such signs?” And there was a division among them. John 9:16

The Pharisees showed disbelief toward Jesus and pointed out that because Jesus broke the law of the Jewish Sabbath (holy day of rest) by healing the blind man, He could not have been sent by God. From this story, we can see that the Pharisees followed many dos and don’ts concerning the Sabbath, but in order to strictly observe these rules, they forgot love and kindness for others. In the end, by healing the man born blind on the Sabbath, Jesus showed them that God is beyond man-made rules. Unlike the Pharisees who placed authority on their traditions, Jesus upheld the spirit of the law and showed compassion. How have you learned to be led by the Spirit rather than rules?

3
The Man Born Blind

“One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see.” John 9:25

Jesus did not just heal the man who had spent years in darkness; He also healed him spiritually and opened his spiritual eyes to who Jesus really is. In the end, the man had a clear understanding of the One who had healed him and went from experiencing what Jesus did for him to actually believing and worshiping Him. How do you think the miracle of that day changed the man who had been born blind?

application

Of the three characters mentioned, to whom do you relate the most? Why? What did you learn from John 9 about Jesus, and how will this affect your life?

Do you believe that God uses challenges in our lives to display His power? Why or why not? Meditate on John 9 this week and ask God to reveal Himself to you.

Tell us about how you encountered Jesus, and how your life was changed. To whom can you share this miracle this week?

prayer

Thank God that He sent His Son Jesus to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed (Luke 4:18). Thank Him for what He did for the blind man, and what He did for you on the cross.

Pray that you will not be quick to judge. Ask God for the grace to see the world through His eyes. Pray that you will always move according to His Spirit.

Pray that you will be a channel of God’s love and blessing to those around you.

© 2017 by VICTORY®
All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), Copyright © 2001
by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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