Man has always been perplexed by sin. The when, where and how of depravity have given theologians and laymen much material for debate. How confused are you about sin?
Here’s a little snack: The first few verses of John 9 should cause our minds to expand. The Lord’s students were highly interested in the origin of infirmity in the life of a blind man. Any intelligence that they may have had concerning sin gave way to ignorance- and their dialogue proved this fact. “And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?” Confusion, concerning our sin nature, has always existed. However, the Bible is abundantly clear on this issue.
The story of the healing of the blind man in John 9 unravels issues that are otherwise twisted in the discombobulated mess of our minds. Very quickly we are made privy to two very complex world issues: the reason for sickness and disease and the reason for Christ. Both are revealed in verses 3 and 4 of John’s 9th Gospel chapter.
First, Jesus makes us aware of the nature and purpose of fleshly infirmities. While the origin of such is unmistakably the product of depravity, the purpose of our infirmities has been the subject of much debate. Jesus brings the discussion to a close in this text when He says, “…that the works of God should be made manifest in him”. Think it not a strange thing that the sovereignty of God extends to every facet of our life; even sickness, disease and our physical handicaps.
How our Sovereign chooses to “manifest” His works is entirely left to His discretion and good pleasure. However, the fact that such works are made known is without debate. In-other-words, while many do not have spiritual eyes to see the works of God (Deut. 29:1-4), He is in fact working in every situation, regardless of our ability to see it due to our own spiritual blindness. The nature of this healing truly opens our eyes to many things, doesn’t it?
Don’t miss the point of this miracle! Jesus did not heal this man so that he alone could rejoice in the temporal ability to see with earthly eyes. According to our text, Jesus healed this man of his infirmity that we may see His sovereignty over the spiritual blindness of our heart. Many will both enter and exit this world having never had the scales of earthly blindness removed from their eyes. Such is to be said of the blindness of our spiritual eyes as well.
This explains why some in this world will be exposed to such awesomeness of “the works of God…” and not others? Because their eyes have not been made to see them. Spiritual blindness is the product of depravity and spiritual sight is the product of grace; grace that God alone can give. But this is not the only lesson to be learned from this story.
In addition to an understanding of the purpose of earthly infirmity, we are also made privy to the purpose of Christ on earth: “I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.” Jesus was God in the flesh. His time on earth was short but not without complete fulfillment the Father’s purpose for His life. He left no stone unturned in His pursuit to please the Father. Knowing that night-time would come on Him soon, He valued every second He had hear on earth.
Jesus did not exempt Himself from death. “…the night cometh when no man(not even Jesus) can work.” He was obedient to death, having taken upon Himself the sin of the world. However, while He was here, He removed the scales of earthly eyes that we might be witness to His ability to open the spiritual eyes of those whom He would. What an awesome God we serve! Can you see that?
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